We recently attended a small festival near Wrotham and we opted to locate a decent local establishment for a Sunday lunch. After conducting some research online, we made a reservation at The Bull- it was billed as a recently revamped hotel restaurant that sourced local Kentish produce and offered an attractive selection of roasts at very reasonable prices. We arrived just before 15:00 and the restaurant wasn't too full, but the outdoor area seemed to be popular and the indoor area is quite spacious. The staff were friendly and attentive, asking us about the festival and allowing us to linger over a cup of coffee afterwards so that we could charge our mobile phones. The décor of The Bull is charming country pub with a touch of farmhouse: clean white walls, exposed beams and heavy wooden mahogany fixtures with the obligatory large (unused) fireplace.
The staff, service and presentation of food were accurate, efficient, professional and comparable to a much more expensive London gastropub. Our roasts were immaculately delivered on the plate, consisting of goose fat roasties, a Yorkshire pudding, a good portion of gravy and seasonal vegetables. I had the chicken breast and it arrived plump and well-seasoned. My boyfriend had the roast beef, which came out perfectly cooked, retaining its pinkness and no trace of fat. This was a pretty plate- no 'lashings' here- and I missed a large portion and selection of vegetables. I am one of the few who swoon at a generous divvying of parsnips, carrots, green beans and cabbage on my plate to counterbalance the more stodgy components. Regardless, I easily cleaned my plate as this was not a heaped portion, but a delicate touch on a satisfying lunch.
The Bull is worth a visit for a consistent high standard of locally-sourced food at exceptional value- the Sunday lunch is commendable, the atmosphere is modern in a traditional setting and the service is very pleasant. read more