Sète — Restaurant in Thanet

A Masterclass in Culinary Artistry at Sete, Cliftonville. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Masterclass in Culinary Artistry at Sete, Cliftonville

Following a splendid weekend in London, my wife and I returned to Margate with appetites still in search of something exceptional. Sete in Cliftonville had been on our radar for some time after a glowing review by Grace Dent, and we were delighted we finally made the visit.

From the moment we arrived, the evening unfolded with polish and warmth. We were graciously welcomed by Amy, whose service throughout was exemplary. Her knowledge of the menu and thoughtful recommendations elevated the entire experience, striking the perfect balance between professionalism and genuine hospitality.

The menu itself is a study in well-executed restraint and intelligent flavour combinations. We began with vol au vents filled with rich, savoury duck, a nod to classic French cuisine made relevant and refined. This was followed by an exquisitely fresh crab preparation, a superbly silky taramasalata, and a simple yet flavour-packed melon dish, delicately accented by a sublime almond sauce that lingered on the palate with finesse.

For mains, the perfectly cooked pork and the sea bream, each presented with harmony in their respective sauces, demonstrated a chef not only of technical skill but of remarkable culinary intuition. Andy’s work from the open kitchen was both mesmerising and reassuring. The sight of a chef so focused yet composed is always the hallmark of a refined establishment.

To close, a feather-light meringue and a deeply satisfying chocolate ganache brought the experience full circle. Each course was a reminder that great food is both an art and a craft.

The ambience was understated, inviting, and tastefully considered. It allowed the food to take centre stage while subtly encouraging diners to savour rather than rush. Watching the kitchen team work in quiet synchronicity was a further testament to the restaurant’s calibre.

Just to make it even better, it is truly dog friendly. A thoughtful and welcome touch for those of us who like our four-legged companions to be part of life’s finest moments.

Sete offers something quite rare. It is a dining experience that feels both intimate and elevated, a culinary gem not only in Margate but on any discerning food lover’s map. A triumph from...

Disappointing experience—pretentious and poor service.

We were excited to try this place, especially during their special week featuring a guest chef. We booked in advance, expecting something memorable. Well, memorable it was—but for all the wrong reasons.

When our meal arrived, the fish was cold, bland, and completely lacking in flavor. Not a great start. The waitstaff never checked in on us, so we decided to provide some polite feedback at the end. Instead of taking it graciously, the lady with glasses looked downright irritated, made no effort to understand our concerns, and certainly didn’t offer a solution.

But the cherry on top? She ended the conversation by tearing the receipt from the machine and flatly saying, "Thank you, have a good evening." That was it. No acknowledgment, no attempt to smooth things over—just a brush-off.

Here’s a thought: train your staff to handle feedback with a little grace. Constructive criticism isn’t an attack; it’s an opportunity. You can either take it on board and improve, or ignore it and let reviews like this tell the story.

Honestly, the biggest disappointment wasn’t even the food—it was the attitude. A simple, respectful conversation could have turned things around, but instead, we left feeling unwelcome....

I’m a bit torn with my experience at Sète. On the one hand, the food itself was tasty and well prepared, and the service was genuinely lovely. On the other hand, the portion sizes and pricing left me very disappointed.

For example, my chicken schnitzel was literally just a single breast on a plate of sauce with a tiny drop of remoulade, no vegetables or potatoes, nothing to make it a full meal. The cheese board was equally underwhelming. At £14 I’d expect a generous selection, yet what arrived were four wafer-thin slivers of cheese that you could almost see through.

The wine pricing was also surprising. The bottle we ordered had at least a 200% markup. That might be expected in a prime central location, but not on Northdown Park Road.

To put it in perspective, over the whole evening we had: half a courgette, one large tomato, one chicken breast, around 30g of cheese, half a baguette, a small slice of cake with ice cream, and a £15 bottle of wine. The bill came to £120.

In summary, while the cooking and service were both good, the value for money was not. For the price paid, I expected more substance on the plate and more...