Acqua Restaurant

Famously described as the market town of kings, the town and port of Faversham in Kent is home to Acqua, the newest and most exciting venue at which to dine, with a vibrant programme of events that include wine tastings, evenings of live music, Pasta Party evenings on the first Tuesday of every month, toddler parties, and every Saturday and Sunday the Big Breakfast.

Located in a handsome former mill of classical design and magnificent proportions, pitch pine beams rub shoulders with contemporary speakers, wire lighting and crazy glass panels - the dining room is a spacious delight.

If children are amongst your company be prepared for urgent demands to return at the next available opportunity. With 50% off their prices, and double chip chocolate ice cream this seems to smack of an irresistible logic. This is a menu where children will enjoy being treated as adults, starting with traditional appetizers and anti pasti of mozzarella on garlic bread, or the celebrated Acqua Antipasto plate, with a selection of Italian meats, marinated grilled vegetables, ciabattina (baby ciabatta) and gran padano Parmesan.

Grilled tiger prawns and monkfish dusted with parsley and garlic butter, and a mixed herb salad make for thoroughly enjoyable eating before moving on to the pasta range where triangoli spada - swordfish filled triagoltes of pasta with a fresh dill and vermouth sauce makes a regular appearance on the menu.

Italian food is renowned for contributions from the legendary Mamma, and here she is again with meatballs in a rich tomato and balsamic sauce with pappardelle. A honey roasted lamb shank will have been cooked overnight with garlic rosemary and shiraz, served in its own juice with roasted rosemary potatoes and vegetables from the Mediterranean.

Italian cooking has a way with fish, witness the seared sea bass fillets with fresh crushed garlic potato cake with asparagus and a red pepper coulis. And suddenly it's pizza time, starting with that stalwart favourite the regina margherita, simply mozzarella with sliced tomato and fresh basil. But my favourite is il Creole, tomato, mozzarella, crayfish and Cajun spice, closely followed by Fiorentina made with spinach, black olives, capers, tomato and fresh egg.

It's not uncommon to find that Mamma has had more than a hand in the desserts in Italian kitchens, but not here. Instead some chap called Hubert has lent his name to what is described as the "sexiest pizza ever" which is quite simply two lashings of nutty chocolate cosily wrapped up in a quilt of pizza, which may account for the sentiments at large in the pannacotta di Basilico con salsa di marmaletta - no, just go and see for yourself.

As if all this was not enough there is a cassata dessert and at the end of the menu one great afterthought in the form of Italian cheeses.

A pint of the spectacular Moretti lager imported from Italy quenches anyone's thirst or if you prefer a very special refined bitter in the form of Edinburgh's Innis and Gunn, just ask and it will be served in somewhat of a special glass made just for the job.

Some fine bottled beers and lagers from Europe, and a wine list that explores the world with great dexterity complete the line up of beverages - oh yes and don't forget the almost frozen Limoncello to finish off with.

For details of events, menu changes and in particular the much prized Wine Society evenings, a quick click on their Website will reveal all.