Review on Hengist
It might seem rather odd to name a twenty-first century restaurant after a long-dead Saxon chief called Hengist, but the ancient village of Aylesford is close to where the man himself met his end centuries ago. Taken over by a new team, the venue has undergone a stylish refurbishment and includes a downstairs brasserie and two separate upstairs dining rooms, as well as a champagne bar. When the sun shines, guests can take advantage of their garden with a stream for alfresco dining and drinking.
The food is modern, full of neat touches and the kitchen draws most of its inspiration from France and the Mediterranean. Warm red mullet salad with vegetable and chilli salsa and basil oil might open proceedings, before braised shoulder of Romney Marsh lamb with lavender and fresh pea risotto and ratatouille or roast skate wing with beetroot and caper salad, confit potato and salsa verde.
To conclude there are creative desserts such as vanilla crème caramel with poached Kentish strawberries and deep-fried strawberry sorbet or chocolate 'three ways'. Fixed priced lunches are a bargain and the well-spread wine list offers plenty of attractive drinking at affordable prices, with France as the main contender.
Hengist is also featured in: Good Food Guide, Hardens, AA Guide
Rate this RestaurantCuisine
Modern European
Chef
Richard Lee
Restaurant Opening Times
Breakfast: 10.00am (9.00am Fri-Sun) through
Lunch: until 3.00pm Mon-Thu (All day Fri, Sat & Sun)
Dinner: 6.00 - 9.00pm (9.30pm Fri & Sat, 5.00pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express