Lakes

Lakes is the restaurant of Hempstead House, a small family-owned country house hotel between Sittingbourne and Faversham in the glorious Kent countryside. It dates back to 1850 but Lakes restaurant was added in 1998, quickly winning awards from the AA, the RAC and the English Tourist Board. Its crystal chandeliers, fine china and cut glass provide an elegant backdrop to chef Matthew Levett's accomplished interpretation of classical English and French dishes: fresh fish and meat is locally-sourced and fruit and veg come down from Covent Garden each day. Start with roasted tomato filled with goat's cheese and served on aubergine cumin purée, then dive into yoghurt-roasted rack of Kentish lamb, meltingly tender from its marinade and served with bean and lentil casserole and boulangère potatoes. Finish with passion fruit crème brûlée or get the taster plate of coconut tart, Amaretto mousse and pistachio ice-cream - it's heaven.