The Kings Arms — Restaurant in England

We either read reviews for a different place or the chef was off sick during our visit.

The food was awful. Coming from a long hike we were starving and ordered three burgers. The menu did offer to add ingredients, but we weren't after additional cheese or bacon, so we foolishly declined - unaware of what lay ahead.

After a short wait, an affable waitress brought our meals. Surprise, disappointment, and admittedly some laughter were all we had to offer.

To start, our burgers were plain. Bun, patty. That was it. No lettuce, no sauce, no slice of tomato, no gherkin or hint of effort. Just meat and bread. I mean, they added a side salad of raw onion and greens, so the chef was half way there. But instead we were left with buns clutching thick, salty slabs of beef. Even McDonald's throws in a cheeky pickle.

Our three breaded doorstops were served with warm bowls of coleslaw, one featuring small flecks of blue plastic, and a smattering of cardboard in the shape of chips.

All in all, £12 per plate felt begrudging - we left feeling cheerless. And hungry.

On the other hand, the staff were lovely. Our one star...

It was a good job that the food was outstanding. I very nearly walk out after being overlooked twice while trying to order food at the bar. The bartender finished pumping through a new barrel and proceeded to look over a lady who stood at the bar next to me and asked two I assume regulars for their order behind us,who had just walked up to the bar that second. It was one of these guys that said, " Have you been served" to the lady in front. For the bar worker to realise the lady needed serving. Then she overlooked me by serving the regulars, and then a man sat at the bar who had only just finished his drink if he was having the same again. I had to interrupt by asking if I was in the right place to order food before I was finally served. The food did arrive promptly and was exceptional for a pub in a small town. There wasn't any soap in the gents, so I had to use the disabled toilet to...

Although Church Street is is my nearest town I haven't been to the Kings Arms years, the last time it was a small typical drinkers pub. My wife and I had some time to kill after some last minute Christmas shopping and being aware that Jouel's brewery had bought the place we went there for a drink. An unbelievable transformation greeted us, fully extended incorporating some of the original outbuildings, sympathetically refurbished retraining the original character. Stone walls, rustic furniture, many alcoves, log burners, antique furniture etc etc. It has to be seen. Also there is a large covered outdoor area with a garden beyond. Enough of the transformation, extensive reasonably priced menu, local ales including their own Green Monkey craft lager, plenty of excellent staff, and a warm cozy atmosphere throughout.. Can't...