If you are after a charming, cosy, and Instagrammable place to dine in Ashford, you’re in luck as the fabulous Boys Hall, a gorgeous Jacobean house has been beautifully restored into a restaurant, a boutique hotel and a wood-panelled pub.
For my husband’s birthday, we went for lunch, and it seems that the Boys Hall isn’t the secret foodie destination I thought it was, as the oak-beamed dining room, complete with roaring fire, was packed on a weekday lunch. While it might have been busy, this didn’t make it less of an experience, the dining room is filled with such gorgeous natural light, even on a gloomy January day, and the decor has been beautifully done with plush green seating and natural wood tables that it adds a warmth and down-to-earth feeling.
Yes, this is a fine dining restaurant, without all the snobbiness from a London institution, as owners Kristie and Brad Lomas, have given this Grade II-listed hall, built in 1616, a sympathetic and modern makeover that oozes a friendly atmosphere and places good food at its heart. Seriously, this is a place you will want to go to regularly, and I’ll be taking any who comes to visit as it really is nice having something like this within a 15-minute drive.
If I had to compare Boys Hall with other amazing locations in the area, I would have to say The Pig at Bridge Place near Canterbury and The Rose in Deal. But for me, the food, location and friendly feel just pip them.
What’s the food like at Boys Hall?
When you walk up to the Boys Hall there is a grandeur and warmth to the Jacobean architecture and garden landscaping, which I can’t wait to see in summer when it is all in full bloom, and I can’t wait to see if their plans for a kitchen garden come off.
Inside the restaurant, the decor wows you, and then the friendliness of the staff, who are inviting, and informative about the history of the house, the refurbishment, as well as the menu. I like it when staff know the food, love the menu, and make recommendations. I always need a little help when the menu is a little fancy.
On a weekday daily set menu, you can get 2 courses for £25 or 3 for £35, which when you see what’s on offer, and the amount you get is exceptionally great value for money. We decided to go for three courses, and I’m glad I did, as each course was excellent. I went for the pear and endive salad, dandelion and pickled walnuts, followed by the Zatar roasted cod with a kalamata olive relish, samphire and tomato jus. First up, the salad starter, wow, just wow. The flavours were an incredible mix, I loved the peppery taste of the leaves with the tart and sweetness of the pear – would definitely eat it again. But the starter was a revelation, the cod was just perfection and the tomato jus was lovely.
For my husband, he opted for the ham hock terrine with apple piccalilli, black pudding crumble and toasted sourdough, which he said was fantastic, the ham was amazing, but it was the piccalilli that pulled it all together. For his main, he went for the steak and stilton pie with creamy mash and buttered spinach, which came with extra gravy on the side. He literally devoured this dish so quickly, and I’m taking that as a sign it was delicious.
Don’t leave without dessert
Dessert is where Boys Hall really shines for me. Ending my meal with the apple crumble soufflé, with custard ice cream and apple and blackberry on the side. It was divine. I was also a little jealous of my husband’s sticky toffee pudding with salted butterscotch and clotted cream, which came with a hot toffee sauce. There was also a trio of chocolate mousses that a table near us had that looked delicious as well.
To be honest, everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious, and everyone was content and thoroughly enjoying their food. The attention to detail and sourcing local produce shines through, and I can’t wait to return.
There’s more to Boys Hall than just a restaurant
After lunch, we decided to have a mooch around, as Boys Hall also has a lush lounge area, with cosy sofas and chairs around a fireplace, where people were having teas and coffees. It was here that I met the lovely Kristie, who has done most of the interior design. Not only was she super friendly, but she also let us have a peek inside the wood-panelled pub, which is only open at weekends and some evenings. The old-fashioned drinking hole serves Kentish ales and posh bar snacks such as confit duck eclairs and is complete with comfortable chairs by the fire and bar stools. It is cosy, but I can imagine watching the 6 Nations rugby here would have a great atmosphere.
The Boys Hall also has a large outside terrace overlooking the pond and garden, which come summertime I can imagine will be the place to be, and I can’t wait.
Boys Hall is open for lunch and dinner, Wednesday to Sunday. To book a table visit their website.
