Quex Park Cafe, Canterbury

A while ago I met up with John and Ellie for a brunch in town.  There are a number of wonderful little places to go to, but I needed somewhere with parking close by so I could get in and out as quickly as possible as I was on my lunch break from work.  John and Ellie, both being teachers, had a bit more time on their hands due to the holidays so could make it a much more leisurely pursuit and planned some shopping following our catch up.

Quex have opened their most recent venture on the north end of Canterbury high street.  Located near the City wall in the old pub/bar premises that has, in most recent years, housed a number of different ventures, the re-purposed building fits the rustic and local brand of Quex perfectly.

Exposed brick work and floor boards combined with sturdy, unpretentious furniture fill this surprisingly spacious cafe which is flooded with light throughout.  You get two stunning views of the Cathedral from inside, one of which is via a picture window.  Quex boasts that this is one of the best views of the Cathedral in Canterbury and it is pretty special.  If you can book this table, do so!  Speaking of booking, I would recommend you do so where possible.  We got there just in time; minutes after we took our seats at midday the cafe filled with tourists, business people and families.  It's not surprising; the menu is fresh, tempting and ridiculously reasonably priced.

Quex have always been about excellent food, locally sourced and sustainably produced and their Canterbury venue is no different.  You know that your sausages were provided by Nick in Sandwich, the eggs come from Simon and Austin in Birchington and Derek would have prepared your fish. Knowing the names of the people who are sourcing your food is strangely comforting and so much more preferably than an anonymous chain restaurant.

I had a perfectly cooked poached egg in hollandaise sauce on a salmon fish cake (thanks Simon, Austin and Derek!), with a side salad of Rosary goat's cheese, potato and pine nuts.  These items aren't advertised together (and are probably designed as two full meals...), but complimented each other perfectly.  This was not intentional I hasten to add, I was just craving poached egg and goats cheese and this was what I ordered to get both.  It was just completely fortuitous that it worked!  I normally require tabasco on a poached egg as well, but this one was divine, it needed nothing else at all.

With the addition of a fresh orange juice (driving + going back to the office after lunch meant no alcohol), the entire meal came to £15 for me.  I couldn't finish it and didn't have dinner that night either as I was still so full.  Quex has that effect on me - their sandwiches are enormous as well!

The others also ordered big portions as they didn't want to have to cook that night.  John went for the chicken and vegetable pie with a beautifully flaky puff pastry lid which came with fluffy mashed potatoes and steamed green vegetables and Ellie had one of their sandwiches. 

Food was delicious, service was attentive and the prices are extremely reasonable.  You also have the added benefit of the miniature farmers market in the building as well, including fresh produce as well as long life items - handy for when I don't have time to go out to Birchington to get to Quex for some of the other local items I love!

Quex are renowned for their breakfasts, which are enormous (just look at the one that Steve once got his hands on), and also do student nights on Monday's.  On Thursdays they have steak night and if you fancy something a bit lighter, on Friday's they put extra fish on.  There is a traditional Sunday roast and the menu changes on a regular basis.  There is even a micro-pub in the cafe which specialises in a varied selection from the local micro breweries, including bitters, Meade, fruit gins and local vodka's, something which will excite quite a few of my friends!

Finally, if you have a Tastecard, Quex also do 2 for 1 across all courses.  I need to get my hands on one!

I really, really love this place.  It's unpretentious, amazing quality and good value.  What more could you ask for?  If you have graduation coming up I would strongly recommend you consider bringing your nearest and dearest here for a pre or post-congregations meal, and possibly some Dutch courage if you are nervous about walking up to get your certificate!

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Quex Park Farmer's Market

Quex Park is a new discovery.  As in I only discovered it today.  I have heard of it, knew it was in the area and had a vague idea what was there but had never managed to remember to visit.  After a busy morning going to the Whitstable Playhouse Theatre to talk risk assessments and sound and lighting arrangements for next week I met Steve at a friends' house where he was supposed to be making song decisions with his duet partner but in reality was playing darts in her dining room.  No raised eyebrows at all.

Steve and I had a couple of errands to run together and he suggested popping into Quex Park to have a look as we were already in Birchington.

Quex Park is essentially 250 acres of parkland and other buildings and there has been a house on the Quex site since the early 1400's.  It is a bit of a strange place.  It's a museum, public gardens, craft village, wedding venue, working farm, paintball centre, jungle jim, country house, maize maze, fine food store and boutique cafe.  And they do music concerts and festivals.  And have their own food range - Quex Foods.  It is huge and there is so much to do and see.

In the summer I am coming back and spending at least a day here.

Today though my focus was on food.  I was seriously hungry so we decided to have a wander around the Quex Barn fine food centre and have some lunch in the cafe.  One cafe is run at the Barn and the other, by the house, is run by Mama Feelgoods.

Mama Feelgoods is a well known local brand to me - I really like their cake shop, fine food shop and cafe at the Chalkpit Farm in Bekesbourne, not least because if I need something urgently to complete my latest baking experiment, they will stock it.  When you are feeling the need to channel your inner domestic god or goddess this place hits the spot.  Their cafe's aren't your regular cafes either.  They are ridiculously good.   

The Barn cafe food is all sourced locally and varies daily according to the availability of produce.

I know that you get fine food markets all over the country but we seem to have an abundance of good ones around here.  I've just added this one to my mental list.  Not surprising really when you consider it was voted Kent Foods local retailer of the year 2013 at the Taste of Kent Awards.

I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

Oh I said we were hungry.   We ate in the cafe at the far end of the market.  In the summer they have doors that open out onto the patio, directly opposite the resident sheep and chickens.

The menu is simple but good.  Breakfasts (the smoked mackerel with poached eggs was tempting), deli sandwiches, tiger prawns, bruschetta, fish cakes, steak and a huge cake menu.  They even do a meringue cream tea.  The a la carte menu is full of ever changing, mouthwatering dishes depending on what is fresh and good at that time of year.

Steve had a full English.  I had a pork and apple sandwich on fresh baked brown bread with salad and chunky chips.  Neither of us could finish our meals.  We ate around 2.30pm.  It is now well past dinner time and I still can't face anymore food. 

This is another place that is off the beaten track but well worth a day trip for a morning or afternoon (with food.  Make sure you eat here).  In the summer I would think that it is wonderful, especially for families with children and I am looking forward to having a wander around their Secret Garden.