New burger restaurant Hoof has opened on The Mint. Run by local farmer Oliver Furnival, it offers beef and potatoes from his own farm just four miles away on Romney Marsh. While food with obvious traceability is nothing new, Hoof has taken it one step further with the farmer taking the helm.
The rustic-meets-modern interior is calm and welcoming and the menu offers delights such as The Smoky – a 5oz burger with bacon, melted Monterey Jack, crispy fried onions and Memphis whisky barbecue sauce. And if diners have any room left for afters, Hoof also offers decadent Aussie import the FreakShake. Half milkshake, half dessert, these have to be seen to be believed!
Photo: David Mayhew
I was visiting a friend who lives in Rye and took her to Hoof for a birthday treat. I have no doubt about the freshness and quality of the food however, I feel that most of the menu is over priced.. A mixed salad consisting of mixed leaves and one cherry tomato in a container the same as the one that has chips in it in the photograph above costs £4.oo. I think it will probably do well with the visitors during the season but I am not sure I would be in a hurry to return on further visits to Rye. Having beef farmers in my family (but based up North) I think its great the farmer has taken the helm. I also think serving on slate platters could give an air of pretension over substance.