Rye restaurant Ambretteis voted best in country

Nominated for the award by readers of Morrisons magazine, the restaurant was rated 10/10 for the flavour, freshness and quality of its food during secret taste tests. The menu’s seasonality and use of local ingredients also scored 10/10.

Morrisons praised chef Dev Biswal for his innovative men and dishes.

Katy Griffiths, of Morrisons, said: “We’re delighted to recognise The Ambrette for this award. We were impressed with the way Dev combines local ingredients with Indian spices, as well as his efforts to give back to the community.”

Comments made to the supermarket firm included: “The modern menu was packed full of exquisite flavours,” and “Service was swift and food presented with evident pride. The restaurant is a foodies’ paradise.”

Chef-patron Dev said: “The south-east coast produces some of the country’s finest produce, with an abundance of wild ingredients which we forage.

“We offer a unique marriage between exotic produce and spices and the things that grow around you.”

There is no curry or Chicken Tikka Masala on the Michelin-listed Ambrette menu. Instead diners are treated to exquisite delicacies as

Hand crafted sweet potato and tapioca cakes, tempura of purple sprouting broccoli; Local fish of the day, locally grown sea purslane salad; Breast of Partridge with marjoram; and South Indian-style beef stew with spiced Alexander stems.

Dev opened the Rye restaurant after winning national acclaim from food critics for the restaurant he set up in Margate, in Kent.

His Rye restaurant is based at White Vine House in Rye High Street.

Dev has carried out a series of interesting events at the Ambrette, matching single malt whiskies with South Indian flavours and serving a banquet of exotic meats which included python, crocodile and zebra.

He also now features in Channel 4’s television show ‘Superscrimpers’ where he shows people how to cook gourmet meals on a budget.

The Morrisons award adds to a growing list of accolades, including “Best Restaurant in the South East” in this year’s Cobra Good Curry Guide.

Visitors to this year’s Hastings Seafood and Wine Festival on September 14 and 15, will have a chance to sample Dev’s cooking, during his live cooking demos.