Review: The fattest chips you’ll ever eat at Margate’s Cinque Ports gastro-pub

October 11, 2017 Kathy Bailes Business, Events 0

If you like your chips fat and your bread cooked on-site then the new Autumn menu at the Cinque Ports pub in Margate could be for you.

The Marine Terrace pub and restaurant, part of Dreamland, is tempting in foodies with new offerings of local produce, all cooked in an open galley kitchen.

The pub underwent a complete renovation as part of the £25million investment in Dreamland amusement park. The steps from the pavement up to the doorway are gone, replaced with an outside seating area and glass-fronting (yes, there’s still a door!) and the dark, sticky carpet interior is transformed into a space full of light, with sofas and wing-back chairs.

There’s a nod to the days when this was a Mods’ boozer in the 60s, with a scooter in the entrance and assorted decoration mingling with minimal furnishings and wooden floors.

The restaurant at the rear of the pub gives diners plenty of space between tables, ensuring privacy but not seclusion.

Starving hungry? Not sure you can hold out until your starter is ready? No problem, olives and bread and oil are on the menu.

The menu is simple, with mains ranging from burgers to steak, fish, pork, guinea fowl and butternut squash.

There are vegetarian options for all courses and you can pick the side dishes you want.

We plumped for seasonal soup, which was spiced carrot, and bread. The soup was satisfying and the bread had an amazing sweetness which I haven’t encountered before.

The chargrilled rib eye was a good size coming with a rich roast tomato, watercress and beef sauce and a fresh bowl of salad. But the chips have to be awarded the medal in this meal. They were huge, perfectly golden outside and fluffy inside, and are served with a little bowl of sea salt. We ordered a dish each but two people could easily share just one.

There are a range of desserts and it was a battle to choose whether to plump for the chocolate mousse or the cheeseboard. Perhaps foolishly, considering the amount of food I had already consumed, I went for the cheeseboard with a selection of 3 cheeses. It comes out nicely presented on a wooden platter with crackers, glazed walnuts and chutneys. I admit, it beat me (I didn’t leave any actual cheese though).

Craft beers, draught, ciders, wines and spirits are all on the menu – including our local Gadds – and all are served up by friendly and attentive staff.