Set menus with paired wines, ales, cocktails and ciders
Saltwood on the Green restaurant, near Hythe in Kent, has announced a programme of monthly set menu gourmet dinners with matched drinks offerings.
The next six months will see chef-owner Jeff Kipp’s dishes matched with
South African and Kent wines, artisan cocktails, wild food, craft beers and Kentish ciders.
Following their first event on 24th February with internationally acclaimed South African wine expert Robin Davis, founder the SWIG wine merchant’s, the restaurant will showcase award-winning wines from nearby boutique producer Gusbourne Estate on 31st March with its director Ben Walgate.
With the great choice of Kent vineyards, many of whose wines beat the best France has to offer in blind tastings in international competitions, Saltwood on the Green owner-chef Jeff Kipp said he had opted to pair his dishes with Gusbourne wines because, “They’re among the very best English wines I’ve tasted – they do great bubbles, certainly on a par with “Bolly” (if not better), have an exceptionally good white, a most drinkable red and a cracking little fortified ‘grappa’ to finish.”
The special gourmet evenings costing £50 a head and begin with diners being presented with one of the restaurant’s speciality artisan cocktails upon arrival at 7.30pm.
“Saltwood is at the vanguard of elegant contemporary dining and we are honoured to join a revered selection of local producers in supplying the restaurant,” said Gusbourne Estate Chief Executive Ben Walgate,” adding, “I’m really looking forwarding to the evening, introducing Gusbourne to the diners and enjoying some of Jeff’s beguiling dishes carefully paired with a selection of our wines.”
Saltwood on the Green has been named among the Top 10 Best Kent Restaurants in the Taste of Kent Awards 2015. Gusbourne Estate’s Brut Reserve has also been ranked in the Awards as among the Top 10 Best Kentish Wines. Winners will be announced at ceremony at the Detling Show Ground on 12th March. www.tasteofkentawards.co.uk/top-10
Gusbourne Estate wines also feature in many of the UK’s most renowned dining establishments, including Le Gavroche, Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, The Fat Duck, Nathan Outlaw at the Capital, L’Enclume and Northcote.
On 28th April Saltwood on the Green will pair its dishes with their own unique cocktails made with premier spirits and home-made ingredients.
On 26th May there will be a Wild Food Evening with “hyper local” sourcing of natural ingredients foraged from within a 5-mile radius of the restaurant.
Saltwood on the Green will feature a micro and craft beer dinner on 30th June with ales from the best micro local brewers.
This will be followed up with an Exploration of Kentish Cider on 28th July.
Led by American-born owner chef Jeff Kipp (ex Gordon Ramsay, Duck & Waffle, Sushi Samba and Charlie Trotter’s) Saltwood on the Green is fast gaining a reputation simple, but exciting, cooking with an emphasis on light bites and sharing plates. Kipp creates enticing modern British dishes with a contemporary American twist, utilising the best the abundance of local ingredients from carefully chosen producers.
