HERNE BAY seafront on a windswept weekend in August can be a disheartening place. The flashing lights and low level hum of the amusement arcades providing the only illumination for the weary holidaymaker against the grey clouds hanging low over the dark waters of a foreboding sea.
But for a town which is so often overshadowed by the extravagant hype of neighbouring Whitstable, it is perhaps well deserved that the pearl in its shell is a restaurant which beats its coastal rival at its own game.
Don't get me wrong, Whitstable is awash with high class eateries - but you half expect a decent feed in a place which trades on its image as Islington-on-Sea. Which makes discovering Le Petit Poisson outside its borders even more of a treat.
Smile
The seafood restaurant is plonked right next to the pier and overlooks the arcades and trampolines on the beach. It's small - 22 seats inside and a handful outside - but it packs an almighty punch.
So why the glowing praise? Well, if you want good food, competitively priced, where presentation is as important as pleasing the palate, and the service is with both a smile and a pace which cannot be faulted, then it earns ticks in all the right boxes.
And with three children - aged 13, seven and four in tow - we were able to give it a real work out.
For starters we had deep-fried calamar (light and tasty), avocado stuffed with crab and cream cheese (a subtle blend of subtle flavours), and grilled goat's cheese on prawns and crushed potatoes (giving the sort of kick only goat's cheese can). All were priced between £4.50 and £4.95.
For the main course, my partner had a bowl of moules mariniere (£7.95) where big fat, juicy mussels benefited from a sauce
