The Medway Towns are not exactly known for class, but Rochester actually bucks that trend with a very indy high street, as well as good restaurants and bars. These are usually of the independent ilk and include all manor of ethnic and local joints, one of them being Brettingtons Steak and Lobster Restaurant.
As it sounds this place is equally as expensive and middle class as it appears. Is it though worth the time and money?
Click to see my take on English Street Food.
Table of Contents
What the Brettingtons?
Brettingtons Steak and Lobster opened in 2015 and is owned and run by the Brettington family, who have been involved in local hospitality in Rochester and the Medway Towns for decades. The family already had experience running pubs and smaller restaurants in the area before opening this more high-end establishment. Located in the middle of Rochester High Street, the restaurant is easy to spot and sits among other independent restaurants, cafes, and bars. Brettingtons focuses on steak, seafood, and a few mains rather than an overly broad menu.
The interior is modern with gold accents, an open kitchen in the centre, a mix of booths and tables, and subdued lighting to create a polished dining environment. Despite its high-end presentation, it remains part of Rochester’s independent dining scene rather than a corporate chain. The location and design are clearly aimed at attracting diners looking for a more formal experience without leaving the town centre.
The Brettingtons Steak and Lobster Restaurant
The menu here is actually pretty good, without being overbearing. Clearly they have aimed to specialize in a few things, rather than be shite at a bunch of stuff. Well in theory at least because what we got was not that great.
The drinks menu though is pretty massive, lots of wine, cocktails and the like, but not all that much on draft.
Starters
Mezze Plate – £10 / $13 – olives, peppers, pork scratching, 2 pieces of bread
Garlic Prawns – £12 / $15 – sautéed in garlic butter with a hint of chilli
Tempura Squid – £11 / $14 – lightly fried, served with tartare sauce
Lobster Bisque – £13 / $17 – creamy with chunks of lobster
Mains
12oz Ribeye Steak – £28 / $35 – cooked to order
Brettingtons Burger – £15 / $19 – beef patty, cheese, bacon, brioche bun, fries
BBQ Ribs – £18 / $23 – half rack with smoky barbecue sauce, fries
Grilled Lobster Tail – £30 / $38 – served with garlic butter and seasonal vegetables
Vegetable Risotto – £14 / $18 – seasonal veg, parmesan, white wine reduction
Desserts
Chocolate Fondant – £8 / $10 – served with vanilla ice cream
Lemon Tart – £7 / $9 – with fresh cream
Cheeseboard – £9 / $11 – selection of British cheeses, crackers, fruit
Drinks
House Wine – £6 / $8 per glass
Cocktails – £10–£12 / $12–$15
Gin and Tonic – £9 / $11
Whiskey – £7–£15 / $9–$19
Draft Beer – £5 / $6.50 (limited selection)
And the Vibe
OK, so the three of us headed here in essence for lack of a better idea and because they looked pretty good on social media. Its located in the middle of the high street and comes across very much as fine dining. On entrance you wait to be greeted and can either sit in the goldfish bowl front, or a bit more discreetly at the booths at the back.
The kitchen is located in the middle meaning that you can see the food coming out, which does look great to be fair.
What About the Food?
For starters we got the mezze plate, which it turns out was some olives, peppers, pork scratching and 2 pieces of bread. This was £10 / $13 and was shit pretty much. We also got the garlic prawns, which were great.
For mains we went for a real mix, ribs, burger and for me a 12oz steak, which was about £28 / $35. The burger and the ribs looked great, as did my steak, looks though can be deceiving. My steak, which I had blue, was colder than it should have been, at least for the price. The two others in our group were equally as unimpressed.
Then we got the bill which has 12.5% service added, which pissed off the person who was paying. Service was also not all that good. And that is why overall I say this place is a bit ropey. Essentially its New York prices, when you can get an equal meal in Wetherspoons.
So, yeah, don’t bother with Brettingtons Steak and Lobster.
Where is Brettingtons Steak and Lobster?
Address: 79 High St, The Precinct, Rochester ME1 1LX, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1634 400192
Email: info@brettingtons.co.uk
Opening hours (typical): Daily 12:00–21:00