Rocksalt

Superb food and staff, was there with the wife and kids and we really enjoyed their shellfish platter. One of the best oysters I’ve tasted in the UK, really friendly staff as well!

for folkestone this place is superb. a little rough around the edges but i’m sure they struggled to get decent staff. venue is excellent, great view.
there is an austrian lady who works in there, hope she serves you! excellent.
i stuck to the local produce, fish! you are in a harbour. very impressed.
wine list is decent. priced a little high.
one of the best in kent

It was my wife’s birthday and the mother-​in-​law and I were trying think of somewhere nice to take her as a birthday treat. After searching around for somewhere open on a Monday night, we settled on Rocksalt. The wife and I have been meaning to try this restaurant for a long time, I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.
Rocksalt is situated in Folkestone harbour, Kent and is fairly new on the scene. The brainchild of famous Kentish chef Mark Sargeant — I was sure it wouldn’t disappoint. We arrived at the restaurant in good time so we could sample some of their cocktails in the bar area, we walked into the bar and then it hits you, what a stunning view! The bar is surrounded by glass panelling so where ever you sit you can soak up that view. It was a lovely, sunny evening so we opted to sit outside, the bar tender came over and took our order, we just made the two for one cocktail deal, BONUS! I ordered Manhattan, rye whiskey stirred with Pedro Ximénez Sherry, sweet vermouth and fragrant orange bitters, heaven, the wife ordered two, well it was her birthday, she went for a Fresh Berry Caipiroska which is a Russian classic with a English twist, a homemade strawberry-​infused vodka with Summer fruits, lime and sugar, her second choice was a the Rotunda, the rotunda is a blend of Ketel One vodka, fresh local blackcurrants and sweet elderflower liqueur with Gusbourne Sorbet, she loved both, very summery, sweet and fruity. The mother-​in-​law went for a classic Peach Bellini and the Father-​in-​law went for a Aspalls Blush, both very summery.
With our taste buds all lubed up, we headed downstairs to be seated, like upstairs you are in full view of Folkestone harbour and the English Channel, a cracking view for any diner. We mulled over the menu and placed our orders. To start with I went for Monkshill Farm Pulled pork with Pickles, I must admit I was expecting something different when it arrived at the table, although it was pulled pork, it was a terrine, and very tasty terrine, and the pickles only enhanced the flavour, a very good start. My wife ordered potted crayfish, mother-​in-​law ordered the Summer vegetable tempura with aïoli and the father-​in-​law had Josper baked mussels «marinière», which they all enjoyed.
For the main course I ordered the 28 day aged Aberdeen Angus sirloin steak with Béarnaise sauce, accompanied with beef dripping chips. I asked for my steak to be cooked medium/​rare and they didn’t disappoint. The steak was well seasoned and had a lovely flavour, very juicy, and when mixed with the tender shallot and Béarnaise sauce, it was gastronomic heaven. The beef dripping chips where also very good, especially when dipped in the steak juice that was covering my plate. I also ordered a Whitstable Bay Wheat ale to drink whilst enjoying my steak, which was very good indeed, had a strong citrus flavour to it, very drinkable.
My wife ordered the Black Bream with Broccoli and Anchovy Dressing, Mother-​in-​law had the slow cooked Monkshill Farm pork belly with grain mustard sauce and the father-​in-​law had the Grouse with game chips, bread sauce, watercress, redcurrent jelly and port sauce. All them looked amazing, I got to taste the pork belly and the grouse, both lovely, the pork belly was so tender and the grouse was cooked really rare, a real interesting flavour.
By this stage I was bursting at the seams, so the father-​in-​law and I skipped pudding, but the wife and mother-​in-​law had a raspberry and white chocolate millefuille which they both enjoyed.
Our Rocksalt experience was a memorable one, really enjoyed the views, the décor, the food, and the friendly service, I also like the fact that all the food is locally sourced, so top marks all round. We will be heading back here real soon. It’s worth the trip to Folkestone alone.