Historic town pub transformed into steak restaurant
The White Rabbit has undergone a makeover
A pub with strong links to Maidstone’s military history re-opened its doors as a steak restaurant last week.
The White Rabbit on Sandling Road closed on Monday, February 5 to undergo a transformation into a Miller & Carter Steakhouse and hungry diners were welcomed to the venue at a grand opening on Friday.
The Grade II listed building has had a colourful history, serving as the officers’ mess for Invicta Barracks, built in 1779 as a reaction to the threat of Napoleon, and was the last standing remnant of the old army depot.
However, it will now be home to “the best steak in Maidstone,” according to general manager Linda Willis.
She admitted the recent snow conditions had made the makeover process even more challenging, but her team had overcome the various obstacles, ready to welcome customers to the new-look restaurant, which will serve fish, pasta and vegetarian options as well as steak.
“These things never do go as smoothly as planned, due to weather, being an old listed building, it’s come with its issues and things to work around, but we’re here, and we’ve made it,” she said.
“Customers can expect the best steak in Maidstone for sure and the field to fork experience which is unique to Miller & Carter. The traceability of where our steaks come from, using our own farm- ers, the quality of breed used, the detail is phenomenal even before it reaches here.
“When you come inside and see the transformation there’s a quirkiness as well because of its history.
“I’m quite a traditional person myself so it means a lot to be working inside a building that means so much to Maidstone as well but planning-wise, and trying to fit in the practicalities of running a business in an old listed building, is challenging, but we’ve made it, it’s absolutely gorgeous and a credit to Maidstone.”
The average price of a steak in the restaurant - owned by parent company Mitchells and Butlers, which also runs well-known chains Harvester and All Bar One - is £21, though there is also a fixed-price lunch menu.
Its most expensive dish on offer is the 24oz Butcher’s Block, which includes a 30 day aged fillet, a 50 day aged grain fed ribeye and a 30 day aged rump steak, served with a brisket-stuffed marrow bone, for £58.95.