OK, so I'm a bit late in posting this, as we ate here over a week ago, just before we snuck off to Cornwall for a pre-baby holiday. Having eaten at The Kings Arms a couple of times last year, I didn't have particularly high expectations - the first time we ate there I had a glorious Surf 'n' Turf, a few weeks later the same dish was a bitter disappointment. Needing a late-notice lunch spot, with a broad selection of dishes (damn pregnancy hormones), we decided to revisit the canal-side pub once more.
The unfamiliar glowing ball in the sky had brought everyone out for 'al fresco' dining, but there was still ample seating indoors. Having said that, we were then required to stand in the doorway queuing for around 15 minutes for the mere privilege of being seated. This wasn't because the queue was so big, with only two groups before us, so I can only assume they were grossly understaffed for the day.
Finally settled at a table, we ordered drinks and started to scan the menu, which, as far as I could tell, remained unchanged for at least a year. 10 minutes later, with no drinks, MrF was seriously losing patience. Drinks eventually appeared and food ordered, peace at the Foodie table was restored: Chicken Caesar Salad pour moi (definitely with anchovies!), 10oz Rib Eye for MrF, Meatballs and Pasta for MiniF.
The unfamiliar glowing ball in the sky had brought everyone out for 'al fresco' dining, but there was still ample seating indoors. Having said that, we were then required to stand in the doorway queuing for around 15 minutes for the mere privilege of being seated. This wasn't because the queue was so big, with only two groups before us, so I can only assume they were grossly understaffed for the day.
Finally settled at a table, we ordered drinks and started to scan the menu, which, as far as I could tell, remained unchanged for at least a year. 10 minutes later, with no drinks, MrF was seriously losing patience. Drinks eventually appeared and food ordered, peace at the Foodie table was restored: Chicken Caesar Salad pour moi (definitely with anchovies!), 10oz Rib Eye for MrF, Meatballs and Pasta for MiniF.
 |
| Chicken Caesar Salad |
Delivered within an acceptable time, the food didn't look too bad, it actually tasted OK too. The Caesar Salad was fine - not particularly gastronomic, but nothing to complain about. MrF's steak was chewy, but edible, and MiniF's Pasta with Meatballs was average - it would have been great to see some vegetables and/or possibly better quality meatballs. The fact that the entire plate of children's' food was a palette of orange tells me there was nothing particularly healthy about this dish - fair enough it's what I ordered, but the overall kids menu options weren't overly inspiring.
 |
| Kids Meatballs & Pasta |
I've nothing more to say about the Kings Arms, or the food provided, because ultimately it was nothing to write home about and utterly forgettable. It's lucky I took photos really, otherwise I may have no recollection of my meal at all. Oh, apart from the ridiculous queue to get seated and the wait for drinks - I definitely remember that!
Overall Score: 6/10
Kings Arms
Church Road
Sandford-on-Thames
Oxford
OX4 4YB
Phone: 01865 777095
Website: www.chefandbrewer.com/pub/kings-arms-sandfordonthames-oxford/c2636/
Twitter: @ChefandBrewer
Facebook: @chefandbrewer
No comments :
Post a Comment