THE ROYAL HARBOUR BRASSERIE, RAMSGATE. You have the profile of a prince, With a physique that matches, Beneath the dirt and patches, You are a diamond in the rough

Here at The Royal Harbour Brasserie in Ramsgate, with panoramic views across to France and then to views towards the town, you cannot help but marvel at its elegance. Framed with beautiful regency period terraces, with sculptured stone lined roads. 

It's every bit majestic, and fitting of its title as the only Royal Harbour in the UK. 

 

Your first trip to Ramsgate seafront is akin to watching an artist cast it's brush across a canvas and create a masterpiece in front of your eyes.. You can't help but marvel at the beauty. Ramsgates Harbour is set in front of you, one of the most beautiful marinas you will ever see.

THE ROYAL HARBOUR OF RAMSGATE.

In 1820 King George IV set off from Ramsgate with the Royal Squadron en route to Hanover. He was so impressed by the hospitality he received at the Kent port that he decreed it be declared a 'Royal Harbour' – a status that's unique in mainland Britain.

He reigned as George IV from 1820 to 1830. Both his regency and his monarchy were marked by fiscal extravagance. His education and taste served to label him one of the most accomplished men of his age, yet his self-indulgence was seen as a waste of his talents. Overweight, overdressed, and oversexed, he was not popular with his subjects. His cultural achievements, however, cannot be denied. No other member of the Royal Family has ever been such a staunch supporter of art, architecture, music, and science. 

Ramsgate has retained many if its historical features and despite its areas destroyed by war and by hand of man, through its regeneration it has refound its sophistication. 

It enjoys a continental Parisian cafe culture vibe, it makes for a very nice day out to just wander around and discover.

The focal point is the harbour, the outer harbour arms do not connect so to discover them you must walk all the way around, and it's a lovely walk, sometimes longer if the inner marina tidal bridge in the middle is up, so top tip.. If you see a bridge thing pointing vertically up, the tides high and you have to walk the long way, if you can't see it up you can cross. Thank me later. 

If you saw the sign "Royal Harbour Brasserie" on your wanders, and food is on your mind then I will tell you it is worth the effort, just head towards the east pier.

The east pier is nearest the main sands, and at the end is an odd looking white building with lights on top... 

It's ugly, but this is where you must go. 

Get ready to be surprised because the rug does not match the curtains! 

Entry is via the concrete steps by the harbour wall. 

It gets windy, its not pleasant in the rain, the door can be heavy (it needs to be) but once inside you are safe! 

A corridor leads you to a curtain, past the curtain is where it's all at. 

You have just discovered The Royal Harbour Brasserie. 

Once you step inside the cavernous main room you find it lined with windows giving uninterrupted panoramic views. 

Cute tables for couples, coach seats for friendly company and larger tables intertwine married with bold colours and brass light fittings. 

It all makes sense. The brasserie is frankly an Aladdins cave, in no way intimidating, it is both sumptuous and comfortable.

A big black board with chalk scribbles stands in the corner as you enter, take a picture of it, this is your menu. 

Held by the "please wait here to be seated" sign, now is time to choose where to sit, well the choice is easy, it depends on the weather! 

There is a fantastic outside seating area which is an absolute must when the weather is kind, but inside is as cosy and intimate as you would want while being a great space for groups at the same time. 

Outside in the summer there is usually music being played by a DJ, the kind of music you would imagine in Cafe del Mar, Ibiza.. Its just cool. 

Back to the food. I follow the brasserie on social media because I like seeing what the chef (who is the proprietor) is up to... 

There are very few tiresome cheffy touches on display here. No thick sauces are plastered to the plate with a swish of the back of a spoon. Nothing is segregated on only one side of the plate. 

Instead, it’s a crowd-pleasing menu of mildly restless bistro food, at very good prices; cooking which never drifts into the culinary equivalent of a lip fillers or camel lashes

And this is why this place just oozes magic. 

This is what happens when a chef is totally passionate about their food, is well-travelled, understands seasonal produce, buys what he can find and then creates unique combinations. 

Oh and being the boss he can do what the hell he likes. It's exciting! I spotted this video on social media, it just proved what I say, have a watch! 

Sure you might find a beef burger on the menu, but you know it's not going to be any ol burger, made with any ol meat. 

Steak will likely feature but he manages to source the finest meats. 

Seafood, if it has come off the boat, it is on the menu. I admire the use of local sustainable species which are not crowd pleasers, in Aidys hands they become stars. Sure, there are non native fish that are bought in, the English Channel isn't as bountiful as it once was. 

I can recommend the moules mariniere when it is on the menu. It is a proper portion, served in a litre pot with beautifully plump muscles. Not a few shells rammed into an ramekin and a sprinkling of parsley you get in other seaside seafood restaurants... No names mentioned, but it begins with a B, second word starts with an O, (that's BO) I think it stinks and needs more than a few rattles of Old Spice, sod it, read about it here. 

Everything here is made with passion. 

It is not pretending to be anything other than a great place to get incredible food.

It is worthy of a visit, but I guarantee you will be back. 

A cautionary note, but with good advice:

This might be a stunning place in the summer, but it will require a person of weathered skin and fearless resolve to make the walk in the winter wind and rain. 

Failing that, drive up the harbour and park outside for free. 

It can be more than a seafood brasserie:

As the season changes, so does its appeal. 

This is where diversity is key. 

Understanding your market and who is coming to make you their absolute must relies on what you do. 

If you have the facilities and space you would be mad not to turn your hand to the one dish people will travel for. 

The Great British Sunday Roast. 

The Sunday roasts are absolutely fantastic value at £15, and for that price it has to be. 

It is more expensive than Toby Carvery, which love it or loath a Toby, you cannot deny that it gives amazing choice and you leave with a full belly. 

That has to be your strategy when presenting and pricing a roast dinner, be at least as good for comparable money. Especially in today's economic climate, people will vote with their feet like no other time. 

There is plenty of scope to turn a hearty roast into a culinary delight and that costs, granted, but you have to be pretty thick skinned to attempt to put out a Masterchef looky likey meal for the Dubai billionaire type market, as royal as this harbour is, the common people are your customers.

Brits love their roasts, and everyone is an expert, but there is nothing more insulting than paying a premium for an average meal you can make yourself. There's nowhere to hide with a roast dinner. 

I am pleased to say based on pleasurable personal experience that The Royal Harbour Brasserie doesn't disappoint. 

It has all the trimmings, the little extras you want to take it from an average "Meh" 5, to a lip smacking 10. 

I will mention The Little Ships Restaurant facing Ramsgate Harbour is charging £26.95 for its attempt at a decent roast. (For disclosure they are serving roast sirloin and not rump....) 

My review of The Little Ships' £15 breakfast was so poor I would have zero confidence that the £12 extra would give me anything comparable to The Royal Harbour Brasserie. 

I need to balance things a little because all is not perfect, and while this may change on a daily basis or its just the way the wind blows, but the toilets are below standard. 

Mops and buckets can be found in there, but the ledges and sills are dirty, it's got the feel of an old public toilet, you get the gist. 

If you have a toilet for use for staff or customers then they must be perfect, at all times. 

It's just the minimum indicator of cleanliness you expect. 

The Royal Harbour Brasserie does hold a current top score for food hygiene though, of that I had no doubt! 

This lunchtime though, the room has filled quickly. It’s easy to see why. The Royal Harbour Brasserie is a civilized place to be. The service is efficient and unobtrusive. The wine list, though short, is thoughtful and almost all of it is available by the glass. 

Bring that together with the kitchen’s marked skill and good taste and you have what even the late King George IV lying in his grave, would, I’m sure, have recognized this as a jewel in his Royal Harbour.

HOW DOES IT SCORE

1) Is it to the expected standard? It is everything you expect from a decent brasserie. It is quirky, but that brings it colour. The constantly changing menu is evidence of its desire to take it to the next level ONE STAR and ONE BONUS STAR

2) Does it do something that you have always wanted to try?  It will have something on the menu for everyone, but always has that something to make you say "oh go on then" ONE STAR PLUS ONE BONUS STAR

3) Is it fairly priced? Priced to please. Quality food, fair prices. ONE STAR

4) Cleanliness, including customer toilets. It pains me but I have to stay true to my experience. Poor toilets NO POINT 

5) Service. As it should be, friendly, efficient, unobtrusive ONE STAR

CONTRIBUTING EVIDENCE  

A) Does it have a clear and relevant identity?

It does, you wont find many gems quite like this, it also wears alot of hats, and thats okay for a place like this. 

B) Does it stand out for quality and standards?

It has a good local respect and following, the food talks for itself but does it stand out? Does it scream I am here? I think this is an area to explore. 

C) Is there areas of the business that someone else does better? 

It is fairly unique so hard to compare, I would say the George and Heart in Margate has interesting similarities which could be a source for ideas. 

D) Does it diversify?

It does, it has to try new things, the summer window is too small. 

E) Will customers return without hesitation?

Absolutely, unless you struggle with stairs, or driving freezing rain in the winter. 

UNPRETENTIOUS, LIP SMACKINGLY GOOD GRUB WITH INCREDIBLE VIEWS MEANS THIS HAS TO BE A GO TO FOR FOOD LOVERS, AND THE LOVERS LOVER. 

DON'T LET THE FACT ITS AT THE END OF THE PIER PUT YOU OFF, IT IS WORTH THE EFFORT, AND RAIN OR SHINE I GUARANTEE YOU WILL STRUGGLE TO FIND ANYWHERE ELSE THAT OFFERS SO MUCH.

I HAD TO DROP A STAR BECAUSE THE TOILETS WEREN'T TO STANDARD ON MY VISIT. HOWEVER IT GETS TWO BRUCIE BONUSES FOR HAVING A MENU WHICH IS NEVER DULL AND SPARKS THE IMAGINATION AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

A SPECTACULAR 4 STARS AND TWO BONUS STARS

THE ROYAL HARBOUR BRASSERIE 

Royal, Harbour Parade, E Pier, Ramsgate CT11 8LS