Apicius

Named after a famous Roman gastronome and tucked away in the narrow streets of this pretty Kent town of Cranbrook, Apicius delivers some stand out cuisine that's designed to wow. The setting is a glass-fronted, timber-clad building that dates back to 1530 and was once used by Flemish weavers to ply their trade. Low-beamed ceilings and old timbers are teamed with high-backed chairs, lightwood floorboards and crisp white tablecloths to make an intimate and relaxed setting for some truly accomplished cuisine. Service, led by Faith Hawkins, is personal, friendly and attentive, while the kitchen is Tim Johnson's domain, his sensibly compact, fixed-price menus taking a modern approach to classic combinations at unexpectedly reasonable prices. Quality seasonal ingredients shine in clear-flavoured, refined and well-presented dishes that reflect high skill, meticulous workmanship and plenty of creativity: slow-roast shoulder of venison arrives with red cabbage marmalade and caramelised apple, for example, while a poached fillet of brill is accompanied by cockle, sweetcorn and saffron chowder. Vanilla roast pineapple with coconut pannacotta and Malibu cream might catch the eye for dessert.

In town centre, opposite Barclays Bank, 50yds from church
Nearest station: Staplehurst

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