THE ANCIENT RAJ, 25-26 NORTH LANE, CANTERBURY

Established in October 2002, this is the sister restaurant of the nearby Raj Venue - or at least I assume it is the same ownership as the menu, while slightly different, is largely the same and style and content with less common dishes featuring on both menus under identical descriptions. Housed in a partially restored 15th century listed building it looked to have a spacious, comfortable and interesting galleried dining area, well patronised and with a good atmosphere (and charming manager) when I poked my head in on a Saturday night. I didn't eat there as I had already booked for the Raj Venue, but I would certainly visit when in Canterbury again. Although the chef will be different from its sister restaurant, I imagine it would be at least as good as it looks to be the smarter and more prestigious of the two. (Having said that, it is not possible to see in during the day as the blinds are drawn, nor does it display a menu, so you could mistakenly think that it has closed).

Malcolm Wilkins - June 2009