FISH in season have tickled the palates of some very demanding customers of Cullen's Yard, Fish Restaurant, De Bradelei Wharf, Dover.

Up to five extra-discerning diners were evaluating the restaurant opened by Michael Frajt just 18 months ago and now they have placed it in the country's top 50.

Mr Frajt, whose designs for restaurants can be found worldwide, learned this week of the prestige rating which will appear in The Independent newspaper this Saturday.

He said: "It's tremendous for the restaurant but also for Dover itself because this is a national recognition of something very positive. They never announced who they were but they were judging the quality not just of food but the ambience and the design.

"This had been an old marine engineer's warehouse and when I retired from my design company I decided to open my own restaurant because of my passion for food."

It's a passion shared not only with the food critics of the Independent, Michael and head chef Ian Cocker regularly welcome customers from across Kent.

Cullen's Yard is open seven days a week between noon and 11pm.