Friday 7 November 2014

My Birthday Lunch at Read's, Faversham

It has been a little while since I last posted. This is partly because I've been very busy doing fun stuff (and work!) and partly because I've had a real stinker of a cold. I spent a very exciting few days in London last week, helping my sister shop for a wedding dress. It was such a fun time and it brought back some lovely memories of shopping for mine. It was also quite intense. I'd forgotten how pressured the decision is - so many stunning dresses, and you can only pick one! Mum, Stephanie and I spent four days searching every corner of the city and we have narrowed it down to a handful of beautiful gowns in one store. Needless to say, we were shattered when the visit came to an end, but there was no time to rest as the day after we got back to Kent we all had to go out to lunch to celebrate my birthday. I know, I know, it's a tough life!

The next day, all this living the high life caught up with me and I came down with this evil cold. Do you ever go through phases where you manage to avoid getting sick for ages and ages, but then you finally catch something, and it's like getting six different bugs at once and it totally knocks you out? Well, that's what happened to me. I'm just about over it now, so I thought I'd share this lovely restaurant with you.




Isn't it fancy? It's called Read's and it's located in Faversham, near Canterbury, in Kent. Eight of us went for lunch last Saturday. And just in case you were wondering who that tiny figure on the doorstep is...

That's right. It's me. Here's a close-up with some pumpkins.

Jeans, Blazer - Topshop, Blouse - River Island, Shoes, Bag - Zara

The setting is a Georgian manor house and it really feels more like that than a restaurant. It's incredibly peaceful and relaxed, as though you have been invited to lunch at someone's beautiful family home. Even when the dining room was full, it still kept that intimate feel.

Inside, it looks like this.



The food is locally sourced. In fact, some of it is grown in the grounds of the restaurant and I am kicking myself that I didn't pop outside to take a look. I guess that's a good excuse to go back!

I went for three courses, starting with a ham hock and vegetable broth with a chestnut brioche.



The broth was beautiful. Generous chunks of tender, salty ham, crunchy vegetables and a piping hot clear soup. The only problem was, it was a meal in itself, and when there are eight of you all talking at once it can be difficult to do justice to such a dish. Before I knew it, everyone else had finished their starters and I had barely got going with mine. Still, I thoroughly enjoyed what I had. I can't say I was crazy about the brioche, but then I'm not a fan of them in general. It was the broth I wanted - the brioche just happened to come with it.

For my main course, I chose the filet of hake with mashed potato, spinach and broccoli. This was simply cooked and really delicious, particularly the fish. The white sauce it came in was lovely but deceptively rich, and I couldn't quite finish the dish in the end.



My favourite course was definitely dessert. I ordered a chocolate delice with peanut brittle, banana ice cream and slices of caramelised banana. The desserts aren't actually listed on the menu. Instead, the waiter tells you what's available. I have to be honest - he had me at the word "chocolate". I actually had no idea there was any banana in the dish until it was sitting in front of me. If I had, I probably wouldn't have ordered it, as it's not really a favourite of mine, but I'm so glad I did. The combination with the smooth chocolate and crunchy, caramel flavours was perfect and I finished every last scrap.



Once lunch was over, we were invited to have our coffee (or peppermint tea in my case) in the lounge. This was also where we had enjoyed pre-lunch drinks while studying the menu and was a lovely relaxing space with arm chairs, sofas and coffee tables.

It was a mild, sunny day, but I can imagine this room being really cosy in the winter with the fire lit.













I would definitely recommend Read's if you're in the Canterbury area. The food was great and the surroundings were even better. Definitely a lovely setting for a family celebration.

I''ve got some fashion and beauty posts coming up next week, so stay tuned!

Kate x
SHARE:

33 comments

  1. Aww happy birthday Kate, looks like you had a lovely day and the restaurant looks so nice and cosy :)

    Also I agree with you on Wedding dress shopping, it really is tiring especially when you try on so many and go to different stores!

    Hanh x | hanhabelle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Hanh! Yes it certainly is a huge deal, and a decision you really really want to get right! x

      Delete
  2. wow whar a lovely entry! btw you look amazing

    Hope you may visit my blog,too
    Your Amely Rose from:
    http://thebizarrebirdcage.blogspot.de/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your food pictures look soooo delicious! And I know what you mean by getting sick after being healthy for a long time. It happened to me last year, I was good for a couple of years and all of the sudden, I got the whole nine yards and was in bed for almost a week, it was terrible! Glad that you're feeling much better now. xx

    Reflection of Sanity

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh my god I just LOOOOVE you heels!! The food looks so delicious and it sounds like you had a wonderful time.

    Love
    ♘ www.sugarpopfashion.com ♘

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I've been wearing the heels to death, I have to say! x

      Delete
  5. Ah! It looks so nice! And your outfit was gorgeous!

    xx, Be || lovefrombe

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh, this really does look like a gorgeous place to be in! It all looks so pretty and of course you look absolutely gorgeous too! :) Love the candles and how cosy it all is!

    Layla xx

    www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
    www.youtube.com/user/sprinklesofstyle

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Layla! It really was a lovely place. x

      Delete
  7. That looks like such a lovely birthday celebration! Happy birthday!
    xx,

    Paisley

    paisleynotplaid
    p.s. your haircut is so cute!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm glad you're feeling better and hope you still had a fantastic birthday - that place looks incredible, as does the food! :)

    Style Sunrise ☀

    :)
    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Karen! I was well until the very end of my birthday, so I can't complain too much! x

      Delete
  9. Happy birthday lovely Kate! nice outfit and the manor house is gorgeous!
    Hope you are now well ;)


    besos,
    M
    http://theflowerduet.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely photos! Your shoes are to die for!

    www.chionebrasiliahardy.blogspot.co.uk

    Chione XX

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy belated birthday! Looks like a lovely lunch

    Made in Mauve

    ReplyDelete
  12. So elegant and classy restauramt look . You outfit is simply perfect

    Melange-Boutique Blog by Noe&Lolita

    ReplyDelete
  13. OH so gorgeous dear! Love the floral shirt and hot shoes
    Have a wonderful week!

    xx Cissy
    www.idreamofbunnies.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I totally love your outfit and the heels are so classy totally matches the stunning lunch and classy presentation!

    Much love xxx
    CHRISTINANISTA.COM

    ReplyDelete
  15. That place looks beautiful and the food looks amazing! Thanks for letting me find your blog!

    http://strawberryleopard.blogspot.pt/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks amazing! The food looks great too mmm.
    Alex // www.prettythoughtsx.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  17. cool! happy birthday!

    http://blondieanchors.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm so happy you had such a gorgeous birthday Kate, if anyone deserves a special day it's most definitely you! You look absolutely stunning in these photos, especially the last one. I know I've said it before, but what a babe you are. The shoes are just stunning! In fact your whole birthday look is stunning, from the pretty floral hues to the dreamy denim. Love!

    So glad you're feeling slightly better now, the cold sounds monstrous! How horrible. Hope it didn't ruin your birthday celebrations and it is well on its way now :) Read's looks lovely, Canterbury is a bit far out from me even though I'm in Kent, but if I'm down that way I'll remember to visit. Definitely drooling over your dessert too, it looks immense <3

    Sophie | soinspo xo

    ReplyDelete
  19. Happy birthday in arrears. What a lovely place.
    Greetings,
    www.iblogwithgrace.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Oh my gosh - what an idiot I am, I didn't say Happy Birthday in my comment….I'm SO sorry!!!!

    I really hope you had a lovely day!!!!! :)

    Layla xxx

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wish you a belated yet a very Happy Birthday. :) I absolutely love your shirt!! And the food looks mouthwatering..I am sure you had an amazing birthday. :)

    Love Priya

    MyFashionFixes

    ReplyDelete
  22. Such a lovely location, and those desserts look incredible!!!!
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
    And I have those beautiful Zara heels too :)

    xx
    MJ

    http://mjintheskywithglitter.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  23. The place looks amazing and the cake looks lovely! xx
    fashionismyfirstlanguage.blogspot.ie

    ReplyDelete
  24. Very chix style ! Love it !

    Kisss ! Yuyu from http://www.yuyufashionbook.com/

    ReplyDelete

Blogger Template Created by pipdig