Kings Arms — Restaurant in Wales

King’s Arms Pentyrch

Such a Disappointing Meal Experience Looking for somewhere local on a wet Bank Holiday Sunday, we chose and booked a table for two here for an early lunch. On arrival we were greeted in the small bar and shown to a bare walled featureless room at the back of the pub which appeared to be an ante-room on the way to a marquee in the garden, rather than the main restaurant. We assumed later that the main restaurant was probably fully booked. After settling in we were asked by two staff if we would like a drink and as we were both driving we decided to have a glass of sparkling water and a glass of wine each. The water arrived some time later but it was not refrigerated. We asked for ice but were told there was none as the ice machine had broken down after the wedding function the night before. Sipping our tepid water, we browsed the menu (a reasonable £12.50 and £15.00). I asked what an arancini with black pudding and leek was and the waitress volunteered “something creamy”. She consulted the kitchen and returned to state it was a risotto of some kind. One first course chosen was a terrine of smoked and poached salmon with horseradish. It was served on a plate with a wafer thin slice of toasted bread and my companion insisted I try it for a second opinion that it was tasteless, did not contain either horseradish or smoked salmon. My first course was whitebait – on the menu described rather oddly as “blanche or devilled bait”. This turned out to be 10 pieces of breaded whitebait some stuck together to resemble fish goujons, presented in a mini paper cornet and served with a pot of mayonnaise harshly seasoned with cayenne / paprika and garlic. This repeated on me all the way back to London… The main course was also full of surprises. Roast loin of pork with crackling failed to meet expectations. Two slices of the leanest modern-bred pork on top of two roast new potatoes, finished with two pieces of inch square hard pig skin. It would be wrong to describe this last adornment as crackling because it was impossible to bite without risking dental damage and impossible to break by hand or knife. To anticipate proper crackling and then contemplate this on the plate was another let-down. The accompanying dishes of vegetables and potatoes were hot but unimaginative – carrots, parsnip, more roast new potatoes and peas with not quite cooked leek mixed in. My small braised lamb shank fell from the bone and was quite tasty, plated on a purée with a little gravy, but also quite salty. We were served a glass of wine each – a rose and a red – but the red was noticeably short of the 125ml measure so was returned for topping up. As the room filled with more customers so it became very noisy; the stone and plaster walls and stone floors were bare of any décor which just reflected the noise. We decided against a sweet or coffee and settled the £40 – odd bill. So there we have it. In an area fortunate to have a good selection of pubs and restaurants, the King’s Arms failed miserably to meet our reasonable expectations. We are not fussy customers; we appreciate a satisfying meal experience but must make some observations when things go awry. There seemed to be no-one in charge of running the room and directing staff. The room itself was soulless, cold and “tatty”. There was a distinct lack of menu knowledge or practical restaurant skills and the food did not live up to its description on the menu. We may have chosen an off day but it is unlikely we will risk another Kings Arms...

We were told by a friend who just happened to come across this pub/restaurant when looking for a family meal venue, that the food was amazing! They weren't wrong, we had a drink in the bar/lounge area which you can also choose to have your meal. I wanted an aperol spritz my husband a beer but were told they only sell the spritz in two as per the size of the processco bottle, that wasn't a problem for us just unusal. The only negative of the bar area is that they have a lovely fireplace with log burner which wasnt on when we were there, but when the staff came into work they just threw their coats/ jackets to the side of the log burner so you could just see a pile of coats, surely they have a proper area to hang their coats etc!. We proceeded to go to the restaurant area which you go through the snug area of the pub which seems mainly the locals catch up, but I'm sure anyone can stay in there. We went in the restaurant area and ordered our meals and drinks. The staff were polite and promt. The food was delicious we ordered the chilli prawns and beetroot falafel for starters and went halves as usual! I had the lamb rump which was cooked to perfection , my husband the vegetarian pie which je said was one of the best he's had. for pudding I had the cheese cake bit found a bit bitter after taste so didn't eat all, my husband the creme brulee which he loved. We enjoyed our night there for my birthday meal and...

A traditional village pub with gastro pub food and some traditional modern British pub classics. For real ale the Kings Arms had Young's bitter or Brains SA on handpump on my first visit, with Courage Best instead of SA on my second. While this generation of Best is a bland pint, it is ok for an afternoon beer or a driver. The cider is Inch's keg. Upmarket high quality pies and food (market menu) and wine at upmarket prices. A less fancy and pricey but still high quality pub menu. Large selection of gins. Dog friendly. Friendly and welcoming staff. A nice outdoor patio when weather permits. A wide range of customers making a pub that is part of the community and attracts wider visitors. On our second visit, with close family who recently moved to Pentyrch, we had the Sunday lunch. I had the leak and potato soup, then the lamb - as an occasional meat eater / mostly vegetarian in the last ten years. It was very good. My wife thought the vegan steak was a bit boring - trying too hard perhaps. She'd have preferred a decent pie or maybe a regular veggie burger choice which are available on other days. The waitresses and waiter were familiar and confident with different dietary requirements and checked with the kitchen that my wife's choices were dairy free, suitable for lactose...