Hugo’s @ the Board room – gastro gaming

The Board Room stands on Harbourside at Folkestone Harbour Arm.  Its majestic sign beckons you across from the Goods Yard to play electronic darts and shuffleboard. Three 18ft long, beautifully crafted wooden shuffleboards fit across the converted containers, and electronic dart boards adorn the sides.  This has been a really popular entertainment space at the Harbour, and now Hugo’s is offering a full menu to match. Owner Emily Porter named the business after her young son and Folkelife went to meet them both to find out what’s on offer here.

“The Board Room is one of the places we’ve loved coming to since moving to Folkestone.  And it’s somewhere to bring friends who visit too.  When we’re showing people how fantastic Folkestone is, The Board Room is one of the places on the list!  It’s got the darts, it’s got the shuffleboard, and it’s got these fantastic views.”

gastro gaming

“I knew I didn’t want a traditional restaurant having worked in hospitality for a long time now.  The Harbour Arm has been such a draw, and where I want to set up my business. The darts and shuffleboard make a visit here an experience, so you’re not just coming for food and drinks. Yet, the food and drink offering needs to be something you can share and be sociable with.  It’s really exciting for me to be a part of this, and create a new menu for the venue.”

“It’s a real ‘pinch me’ moment to be here.  I heard about the venue becoming available and messaged Emily.  Sometimes I need reigning in because I can get over-excited about things, but Emily replied straight away and said ‘yes’ so here we are!  We are making the place it should always be, a place where you can have some food before or after your games, and even somewhere where you don’t have to play to eat.”

not just chicken

Emily: “Hatch Chicken, our other venue on site, is all about the chicken, but Rob cooks a whole lot more.  Here we’re about small plates that are good for sharing, with some larger plates such as burgers and steaks for those moments when you need something to yourself.”

Rob: “It’s also about building that relax vibe, we’re a gaming place, so you don’t want a formal sit down meal.  This is all about being sociable. If you look at the menu, there are sharing boards in the middle, so that draws you to share with friends and it’s a picky bits board.  These consist of different parts of our menu on a board.  The Garden Board is great for vegetarians, The Fisherman’s Board, well, we had to, we’re by the sea!  There’s a Clacking Board which has chicken and other bits on, and our Meat and Mingle which is what it says.”

non-pretentious and good quality

Rob: “Our food fits the venue, and it’s about the ease we can make it so you’re not hanging around for it whilst your playing or waiting for your game.  The sharing boards you can have whilst you’re playing, so you don’t have to sit down to eat.  And the small and bigger plates are all about non-pretentious and good quality food, served with ease and served well.”

Emily: “We’ve got tables inside which you can book, and so you can plan your evening with games before or after food.  There are tables outside too, which are perfect for the good weather. 

“Hugo’s is named after our son who was born just after we moved to Folkestone.  He’s the reason why we work, and we’re trying to create a good life for our little family.  He turned one just as we opened, so it’s rather cool having a restaurant named after you when you’re only just one year old!