This is a
lovely pub which has a reputation for locally sourced food. We thought it time
we see for ourselves exactly what they're doing with said food.
The Bakers
Arms has the immediate feel of a quality traditional pub, but that somewhat
belies what's going on in the kitchen. It only takes a quick look at the menu
to see this is more than your average gastro pub. The inclusion of wagyu beef,
duck and snails, makes it clear that you won't be in for the run of the mill scampi
and chips here.
You will
also notice whilst scanning the menu that the prices are a cut above the
average pub, but don't run away just yet. As we've said before, sometimes the
extra pounds can be validated, and this is one such occasion. The mains average
between £13 and £17, but an experienced foodie will be able to see some of that
cost in the menu. All the ingredients here are of a high quality, this may cost
more, but will result in a better experience for your mouth and stomach. As
well as the ingredients, there is a high level of thought and skill which go in
to the food you eat here. Furthermore, if you are keen to save the pennies, they
offer a bargain set menu. Two courses and a drink will set you back just £15,
you can't go wrong with that. Even if you use the set menu as a starting point,
you will want to come back and try more of the food on offer.
Even though
the sun was shining, we decided to leave the garden and head for a table
indoors. The staff were very friendly and the pub itself had just the sort of
atmosphere you long for when pub lunching, or plunching. As an example of the heightened
levels of service, our drinks were brought to the table, along with a jug of
water, that's a gastrohub first. After ordering our food, we were also treated
to some warm homemade bread with butter and balsamic oil dip. A tip for any
publicans reading this, you give me fresh bread and I'm yours forever.
Unusually
for us, we ended up having a starter. Dad had English rarebit, that's not a
mistake, it wasn't Welsh. I picked chicken liver parfait, one of my favourites.
For our mains, Dad chose liver and bacon, while I went for griddled chicken on
noodles with a satay sauce.
Glad to
report, the staff here work on Goldilocks time. The food all came out at just
the right time. It didn't take too long, neither did it arrive too quickly,
just perfect. The easiest way for me to summarise would be to say, everything
was very good indeed. We didn't see any fault in the food or service. No
glaring errors, basic or otherwise, no laps in seasoning or frozen soggy
vegetables. You can trust the food here. What you order is what you get, that
may sound obvious but it is rarely the case. I've just tried really hard to think
of anything that we would suggest and I can think of just one thing. This is
not a floor in the Bakers Arms service, more a national problem which should be
addressed. As is the case with every pate I've ever ordered, there's simply not
enough toast, that's it.
If you're
looking for somewhere new to eat, your search is over. If you like food and you
like pubs, you have no choice. It truly does tick every box and we would
happily come back and happily recommend it to you.
Atmosphere 9
Service 9
Food 9
Value 8
Verdict 5*
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