Eileen Leahy discovers that The Bottle House in Penshurst ticks all those boxes – and so much more thanks to its tasty menu and welcoming ambience.
The Bottle House has always been somewhere I’ve enjoyed visiting but the popular country pub, located in the picturesque village of Penshurst, has played a very special part in my life during the past year or so.
Just before we were plunged into Tier 4 status last November it was where I took my daughter Isabelle for her 15th birthday lunch. Memories of the hearty burger, triple cooked chips and indulgent sticky toffee pudding we both enjoyed that winter’s day in front of the pub’s crackling fire were made even more special when we found ourselves back in lockdown just a few days later and pining for such an epicurean experience.
And then when the government partially lifted restrictions for the hospitality sector in April this year, The Bottle House was where my family and I enjoyed our first taste of dining out – albeit alfresco – thanks to its new purpose-built pergola which is now a permanent and very popular fixture. Sitting outside with blankets around us dining on steak frites and chocolate brownies really did feel almost close to celestial.
So to find myself back there eating dinner inside on an winter’s evening – said fire crackling away nicely – is a very special treat indeed.
“We’ve had to diversify quite a bit,” says Paul Hammond the pub’s manager who’s been a steady pair of hands at the helm of this hostelry for over 30 years.
“As well as building the pergola we offered customers a takeaway service during the lockdowns and that’s proved to still be very popular. We now also offer a private dining area too which is located upstairs.”
It’s a Friday night when my husband and I visit, and I’m pleased to say The Bottle House is nice and busy with lots of diners and drinkers feasting and chatting, clearly enjoying the relaxed and convivial atmosphere that the place is well known for.
As we settle back to peruse the menu it’s good to see The Bottle House’s popular staples such as Larkins Beer-Battered Cod (£14.50), Speldhurst Sausages and Mash (£14.50) and homemade pizzas (from £12) are still very much in evidence. But peppered in amongst the gourmet pub grub are more exotic sounding dishes such as Spanish Style Fish Stew (£17.50), Slow Roast Orchard Farm Pork Belly (£16.50) and Fillets of Sole & Prawns En Papillote (£17.95). I opt for the latter liking the sound of classic French-style steamed fish and new potatoes fused with a fragrant Asian kick courtesy of soy sauce, spinach and spring onions.
My husband likes the sound of the comforting shortcrust pie of the day and when Paul tells him it’s a beef and ale filling today it’s a shoo-in.
“No starters?” queries Paul. No we politely respond explaining that the dessert offering which includes a decadent brownie, crème brûlée and Kentish cheeseboard featuring local Winterdale varieties all sound incredible.
“Well next time you’re here make sure you try the Smoked Haddock Scotch Egg,” suggests Paul. “It’s one of our most well-liked dishes here and it’s very, very good.” Noted for next time Paul…
While we wait for our food we take in the establishment’s charming surroundings. All the hallmarks of a classic country pub are here: exposed beams, stripped back wooden flooring and tankards hanging above the bar counter, but these elements are further enhanced courtesy of the pub’s décor scheme: think a soft sage green and putty paint palette and soothing low-level lighting.
In addition, there are plenty of old photos and antique paintings festooning the pub’s wainscot walls. And there’s also a good few vintage bottles of booze on display – well it is called The Bottle House after all!
One of the things I’ve always loved about this pub, which dates back to the 15th Century, is the way it has cleverly managed to anchor down its traditional roots as a country pub yet it also feels like it’s exactly on point for its modern day customers too who also expect a decent offering of exciting culinary creations and cocktails.
Talking of which, the latter is an area Paul and his team are currently experimenting with thanks to the infused spirits they have been creating using foraged finds – sourced literally from just a few yards away. As well as Blackberry whisky and damson vodka, you can also try their crab apple or rosehip vodka and rhubarb gin.
But back to the food: our choices are excellent and generous in portion. My fish is light and fragrant thanks to its aromatic Asian twist while my husband reports his beef and ale pie as being the perfect seasonal dish: rich, indulgent and super filling. Our second course which sees my husband treat his tastebuds to an indulgent brownie while I choose the local cheeseboard is also first class. As the fire crackles away and we nurse the last of our glasses of wine we both agree that this glorious pub is just the perfect place to come and relax – especially at this time of year when you want to truly soak up the true spirit of Christmas…
