As we told the children this morning about going out for food today, daughter enquired why so many pubs are called Kings Arms?
We had lovely Sunday lunch at The Kings Arms in Charlton Horethorne, Somerset. It had been on my list for quite while as it had been recommended to us, but with so many places to choose around here we only made it there today.
They were very busy but that did not affect the lovely attentive service we received. Children were catered for although our daughter chose her meal from the main menu anyway.
As it was very busy I did not want to take my phone out to take any photos. Both myself and my husband ordered chicken with hashbrowns, butternut squash in pancetta & marsala sauce. It did reserve to be photographed as the presentation had been given a lot of attention too. It was absolutely delicious and cooked to perfection. Children both enjoyed their meals but both had large portions and left some (mostly happens with our two, sometimes I wish children's portions were a bit smaller).
However as children do, they suddenly had room for desserts and they chose some locally produced ice creams. I chose to have coffee which came with petit fours. There was just no room for a dessert after the lovely meal I had had.
The pub was very spacious and decor was contemporary with lots of art work on the walls for sale. They have spacious outdoor space too with plenty of tables - I can imagine it been lovely on a summers evening to sit out for food & drinks. However, on a cold November Sunday it was cosy to sit in. Definitely a pub to return to. Fabulous food and brilliant service!
Sunday, 24 November 2013
Sunday, 10 November 2013
Kings Arms
We have now visited Kings Arms in East Stour twice, just a bit slow with my blog updates at the moment. Sorry.
First time it was just me & my husband meeting up there for lunch on a Friday. Kings Arms was purely chosen by its location on the A30 as we were coming from different directions to meet up somewhere. It was busy when we got there but we found a table and after seeing the menu my husband was very pleased with the hint of Scottishness in it!
I guess the picture tells enough. We both had plenty to eat for weekday lunch! Service was excellent and we said we would definitely return there with the family.
We chose to return there when my parents were visiting us few weeks ago. Knowing how busy the pub was on a Friday we booked a table for Sunday lunch as it was 6 of us. I had heard other people say lots of good about the carvery at the Kings Arms so I must say I didn't even have a good look at the menu. My husband was slightly disappointed with a different menu on Sunday - he had been looking forward to choosing some more Scottishness. 3 of us chose the carvery and rest chose food from the menu.
We had to wait for quite a long time for the food. I assume this was because some of us had chosen food of the menu? The carvery was lovely and there was plenty to choose from. I would choose to go there again on a Sunday (but only if everyone agreed to have the carvery due to the long wait otherwise). Both children chose food of the children's menu. Their portions were pretty much adult size which is obviously going to result in food waste and the portion just looking massive for the child trying to eat it. Children's desserts were equally large sundaes.
To conclude I think our first visit was lovely and had set our expectations high and due to this we were slightly disappointed on the second visit. Still, service was excellent on both visits and it appears to be very friendly country pub that I would think we will be returning to (at least for those weekday dates!).
First time it was just me & my husband meeting up there for lunch on a Friday. Kings Arms was purely chosen by its location on the A30 as we were coming from different directions to meet up somewhere. It was busy when we got there but we found a table and after seeing the menu my husband was very pleased with the hint of Scottishness in it!
I guess the picture tells enough. We both had plenty to eat for weekday lunch! Service was excellent and we said we would definitely return there with the family.
We chose to return there when my parents were visiting us few weeks ago. Knowing how busy the pub was on a Friday we booked a table for Sunday lunch as it was 6 of us. I had heard other people say lots of good about the carvery at the Kings Arms so I must say I didn't even have a good look at the menu. My husband was slightly disappointed with a different menu on Sunday - he had been looking forward to choosing some more Scottishness. 3 of us chose the carvery and rest chose food from the menu.
We had to wait for quite a long time for the food. I assume this was because some of us had chosen food of the menu? The carvery was lovely and there was plenty to choose from. I would choose to go there again on a Sunday (but only if everyone agreed to have the carvery due to the long wait otherwise). Both children chose food of the children's menu. Their portions were pretty much adult size which is obviously going to result in food waste and the portion just looking massive for the child trying to eat it. Children's desserts were equally large sundaes.
To conclude I think our first visit was lovely and had set our expectations high and due to this we were slightly disappointed on the second visit. Still, service was excellent on both visits and it appears to be very friendly country pub that I would think we will be returning to (at least for those weekday dates!).
Thursday, 4 July 2013
The Beckford Arms
When it's one of those days you think you are catching up with friends over a coffee but end up having full lunch... We'll it was me few days ago and we ended up in The Beckford Arms. Mainly because it has been on my list probably even before we moved here, there had been newspaper reviews about them and it must be mentioned in all the Good Pub Guide type of books.
So coffee with friends turned into lunch and what a great lunch it was! It was a Tuesday and the place was pretty much full, I never thought booking was needed mid-week out of holiday season but how wrong was I! Luckily there very few tables free when we got there early.
It was hard to choose from the menu and rather than trying something different I went for my "safe option" of a burger. And I was not disappointed, that definitely was one of the best burgers I have had! Two of my friends chose chicken ceasar salad and they were very happy with their choices too. We had one child with us (not mine) and she chose fish & chips. As my friend's daughter asked for ice cream for a dessert we were all tempted to have a look at the dessert menu. Again it was hard choice - I could have chosen all options!
So coffee with friends turned into lunch and what a great lunch it was! It was a Tuesday and the place was pretty much full, I never thought booking was needed mid-week out of holiday season but how wrong was I! Luckily there very few tables free when we got there early.
It was hard to choose from the menu and rather than trying something different I went for my "safe option" of a burger. And I was not disappointed, that definitely was one of the best burgers I have had! Two of my friends chose chicken ceasar salad and they were very happy with their choices too. We had one child with us (not mine) and she chose fish & chips. As my friend's daughter asked for ice cream for a dessert we were all tempted to have a look at the dessert menu. Again it was hard choice - I could have chosen all options!
Now I can't wait to return to The Beckford Arms and take my husband & children there for a meal, but I know to book it to avoid disappointment. What a fabulous place and extra bonus goes to the absolutely fabulous waitress who served us! It could have not been a better lunch out.
I still haven't decided if we have found our new favourite pub - or maybe this will be our Wiltshire favourite and Dorset one can be a separate one?
Wednesday, 3 July 2013
Pythouse Kitchen Garden Shop & Cafe
What a lovely setting Pythouse Kitchen Garden cafe is. We have only stopped there for a coffee & cake but I thought I would include a little entry here because we are definitely returning there on another sunny morning / day. Gorgeous surrounds and lovely service - just what we are looking for!
Tuesday, 2 July 2013
The Wild Garlic
The Wild Garlic ended up on my list of places to try when we heard it would be moving to Iwerne Minster. I chose to have my birthday lunch there a couple of weeks ago with my husband and son. It was lovely sunny day so I suggested sitting in the garden (before seeing it).
We had a quick look inside the pub and looks like it was nicely done up but I didn't visit previously so I don't know what it looked like before. The garden cannot really be called a garden, there are few picnic type tables in a small courtyard. But because it was such a lovely day I wanted to stay outside anyway.
We were served by a very friendly gentleman who was happy to come and take our orders outside including drinks. There was enough choice on the menu and we were advised they could make any portion on the menu smaller for the little man who dined with us. This suited us and the little man ended up ordering same as me!
We had a quick look inside the pub and looks like it was nicely done up but I didn't visit previously so I don't know what it looked like before. The garden cannot really be called a garden, there are few picnic type tables in a small courtyard. But because it was such a lovely day I wanted to stay outside anyway.
We were served by a very friendly gentleman who was happy to come and take our orders outside including drinks. There was enough choice on the menu and we were advised they could make any portion on the menu smaller for the little man who dined with us. This suited us and the little man ended up ordering same as me!
I chose bacon & chorizo pasta and my husband had a burger. Both options were very tasty. Service was excellent. But I would not choose the Wild Garlic on a gorgeous sunny day again because there are so many pubs with lovely gardens around here. However, the restaurant part of the Wild Garlic is not yet open so I would go back there on evening to test it once it's up and running because the bar food was lovely.
edit 03/07/2013:
I have been informed by Mat Follas that there are plans to improve the garden for next year with a kitchen garden and a pergola
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Chutneys
We tried our second local Indian restaurant on Saturday night. Chutneys had been recommended by few people and we finally got around booking a table and dining there on Saturday. Luckily I knew booking was needed as a couple was turned away in front us because they were full!
However, being full did not mean long waits. It was very friendly service and the staff had time explaining the dishes we hadn't heard of before. We shared a mixed platter for a started which meant we could try few different things. For main courses we went for something different too instead of the "safe" options. I had chicken Saag and my husband tried Badam Passandra. Both were lovely dishes and I must say having tried two Dorset Indian restaurants I am well impressed with their food (I have lived near the curry mile in Rusholme, Manchester and tried plenty of their curries). Chutneys was a good experience and we will definitely be visiting again. Just need to remember to book well in advance as they seem very popular!
However, being full did not mean long waits. It was very friendly service and the staff had time explaining the dishes we hadn't heard of before. We shared a mixed platter for a started which meant we could try few different things. For main courses we went for something different too instead of the "safe" options. I had chicken Saag and my husband tried Badam Passandra. Both were lovely dishes and I must say having tried two Dorset Indian restaurants I am well impressed with their food (I have lived near the curry mile in Rusholme, Manchester and tried plenty of their curries). Chutneys was a good experience and we will definitely be visiting again. Just need to remember to book well in advance as they seem very popular!
Friday, 7 June 2013
The Half Moon
It was one of those days a couple of weeks ago my husband was away and it was a nice evening and we had little food in the house I thought about eating out aloud at school run when another mum suggested the Half Moon. I had driven past it plenty of times but hadn't thought about stopping there.
It was weekday evening early on and it was quiet which suited me and the children well. Food was good and they had separate children's menu. Because it was quiet service was quick and friendly and I felt welcome turning up with two children on my own. I tried butternut squash crumble and children opted for macaroni cheeses. They had ice-creams to finish. It was very reasonably priced so there may be another time the children will be fed there midweek!
It was weekday evening early on and it was quiet which suited me and the children well. Food was good and they had separate children's menu. Because it was quiet service was quick and friendly and I felt welcome turning up with two children on my own. I tried butternut squash crumble and children opted for macaroni cheeses. They had ice-creams to finish. It was very reasonably priced so there may be another time the children will be fed there midweek!
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