Lobster Lunch

Sometimes you have far too good a time relaxing in the company of friends enjoying exquisite food and wines to think much about food writing. The hours slip by effortlessly in the afternoon sun and before you know it dusk merges into darkness with flickering candles lighting the marquee.

It was one of those rare english summer days 27 degrees and clear blue skies followed by a balmy evening. What better way to spend it than in a beautiful East Sussex garden at a Lobster Lunch party where the seafood was one of the stars.

There was delicious lobster, crab and kiln roast smoked salmon from rockanore.co.uk then an amazing treat of barbecued sweet corn fresh from the garden served with butter and lime.

Earlier fresh watermelon accompanied champagne, parmesan polenta with porcini mushrooms and a deep rich tomato sauce was our starter. Later cheeses, a wonderful selection of bread and fruit, then a stunning south african dessert with ice cream.

It was a perfect party with so much chat, fun and laughter that taking food photos slipped my mind. At least the lobster was captured on camera as a record of our happy day at Lobster Lunch.

Fishy Friday

As the raging thunderstorms of Thursday gave way to a glorious sunny Friday what better than a walk by the sea and lunch on the beach with my friend and her dog.

Griggs in Hythe has been a favourite fish shop of mine for many years. Tucked away on the aptly named Fishermans Landing Beach where fishing boats have delivered their catch since Roman times.

Griggs is a well established Kent landmark selling and smoking fish from Hythe Bay boats and the local Boulogne fish market which is only 20 miles away 'as the fish swims' griggsofhythe.com

More recently Griggs has expanded and opened a restaurant overlooking the sea introducing 'Brunch on the Beach'.

Picnic tables are arranged casually on the pebbles in a relaxed and welcoming setting. You order in the shop (perhaps adding a side order of cockles or prawns, just as a starter) from the bountiful fish counter. Dishes arrive at your table with delightfully friendly service which even included a personal bowl of water for the dog.

The tables were full with happy residents and holiday makers, Griggs is unlicensed but welcomes bring your own and we were envious of the table of eight cheerful friends with their Rose Cava.

The short but perfectly formed fishy menu challenged our decision making both opting for a delicious dressed crab salad, while eying generous portions of smoked fish platter and clam chowder piled high with clams.

I loved the casual beach atmosphere with great food and genial service with excellent use of the surrounding infrastructure for overflow seating superb on this sunny day, but also a great place at any time of year

Next time it will be the scallop and bacon roll for me and maybe some fizz to go with it.