HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

Here we are again….Start of another year. Don’t they just come around quickly!

2009 was without doubt a difficult year for everyone, and Ardennes noticed that people were certainly cutting back on spending. Having just finished with Christmas Parties, we were one of the lucky restaurants that had parties booked in. We heard that many pubs and restaurants never had any Christmas party bookings at all!  We anticipate that this year, certainly the first quarter, will see people holding back. It is another blow for the hospitality trade now that the VAT returns to 17.5% which will only push prices up, making things difficult for everyone. We really hope that the Government doesn’t decide to increase this even further at the next budget in April.

As always our special Themed Red Carpets Nights were well attended throughout the year. We organised 3 of the ever so popular Fish Nights, 3 Steak Nights and 2 Pudding Nights. A Game Night, Best Of Local Produce Night and a Sausage and Mash Night.

A special fund raising evening for The High5 Club was organised in May based on a Zambian Night.

Also our very special’ You Pay What Its Worth Night’ when diners paid for a gourmet 3 course meal and paid what they thought was a reasonable price. An evening worth re doing again ?  You tell us !

Look out for the newsletters for all 2010 Themed Red Carpet Nights.

Staff news, Stuart’s still has Robert as his right hand man in the kitchen.

Out in the restaurant floor, Ruby Rutter has recently started. Francesca left and is now expecting the sound of tiny feet any day now. We wish her and her partner all the best. George still makes an appearance every now and then when we are busy. No change upstairs, and Karen our housekeeper is still running up and down the stairs every day.

As committed Members Of Produced In Kent, we try as much as possible to source local growers and producers and we welcome several new suppliers to Ardennes.

Kent Cheese Company, in Wye, hand makes 4 first class cheeses. Kentish Crown Cheddar, Penstock Blue, Chaucers Choice and Brabourne Brie.

Simply Ice Cream with their hand made ice creams. Excellent.

Rough Old Wife, in Old Wives Lees, this side of Canterbury produces excellent local traditional cider as well as Blush cider, made using fresh local raspberries.  Moor’s in Teynham, organic Conference pear juice has been a hit, selling better than the Cox’s apple.

Gadds Brewery in Ramsgate producers several good ales and porters. Our recent brewery visit was very successful…I’m sure there were a few sore heads in the morning! We are hoping to organise another Beer night in the restaurant matching courses to different Gadds beers.

Brian has organised another long weekend trip to Boppard in Germany for customers and friends. This will coincide with Spring In The Middle Rhine Festival. Following the success of last years trip we are now adding an extra nights stay. The weekend involves staying at our sister Hotel in Germany and spending Sunday visiting several small producing vineyards. Stuart will be accompanying the trip as the ‘roving chef’ so it will mean the restaurant will be closed from Friday 23^rd, until 27^th April. If you would like to join us, Brian only has a couple of seats on the coach, so contact Brian for further details. A Summer walking trip is being organised to the same region, so look out for further details.

Dates for your Diary.

Saturday 13^th February….. Pre Valentines Day Meal.

Sunday 14^th February…. Valentines Evening.

Restaurant specially open for all those wishing to celebrate Valentines evening from 6.30pm until 8.30pm last orders

Menu will be sent out in next few days, but is available on Ardennes website under newsletters, or pop into restaurant for a copy.

Saturday 6^th March…………  Fish Night.

Menu available in restaurant, but will be published in February’s newsletter. This is one of the more popular red carpet nights, so book your table now.

Sunday 14^th March…………..Mothering Sunday Lunch.

Menu available in restaurant, but will be published in February’s newsletter, or look at Ardennes website under newsletters.  Book early to avoid disappointment always fully booked.

Friday 2^nd April………………..Good Friday.

Toasted hot cross buns and coffee!!!!!

Sunday 4^th April…………….. Easter Sunday Lunch.

Friday 23^rd – Tuesday 27^th April    Boppard, Germany Short Break holiday