Hood Arms, Kilveback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Gone is the hunting paraphernalia that I saw on my last visit and there seems to have been a move towards more of a gastropub look. The Bath Gem, Exmoor Gold and Tribute were all decent but immemorable last Friday evening. Food was plentiful and more imaginative than "ordinary" pub grub.
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Closed now and boarded up.
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Former 17th-century coaching inn. Oak beams, open fireplace, comfortable bar and separate restaurant. Good selection of drinks available including an extensive wine list. Exmoor Gold and Otter Head beers. Service was good, especially Charlie. Nice walled garden. Good base for walking and also near the beach. Dogs welcome.
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Only stopped for a soft drink before the long drive home so can't comment on the quality of the ales but this pub is in GBG 2014 so somebody must think they are good. Had I been able to imbibe, then my choice would have been Otter, Cottage's Hercules or Exmoor Gold. They are obviously very keen here on their horses and hunting with all the red coats, saddles and bits on display. Nice to see some old wormy ceiling beams that haven't been painted black and there were also some comfy looking armchairs in front of the woodburner and hops hanging from the bar - seemed a decent place to us and, if today's landlord is the same as the one in February 2012, then he hasn't driven the locals away meaning there was a mixture of people here.
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Last time I was in here the London landlord's son was boasting with typically adolescent and ill-judged volume about how he was going to shoot deer on the hills. I presume this is the source of their "quarters" of venison. Disgusting.
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Have now eaten and had drinks there twice in close succession. It's a typical old-fashioned road house with low beams and a welcoming feel on the A39. Ok, if you're one of the anti-hunting brigade you won't like the hunting pinks, and other foxy memorabilia, but when in Rome......
Exmoor Ales were excellent and in good condition. Both the weekday bar menu and the Sunday Lunch in the restaurant were very good. Venison pie (OK, let's get all the jokes about �40 for 8 quarters of venison being 'too dear' out of the way) was lovely with a suet crust. My wife's roast pork was also highly commended. Very attentive staff whilst dining.
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A nice looking pub in a nice setting. The beers were fine and the food, although overpriced was good, but the service was amateurish. It seemed as though none of the bar staff had ever worked behind a bar before, never poured a pint or used the till. As a result the queue at the bar and the staff began to panic which made things worse; all very amusing, but not good for the customers, or business
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This doesnt seem to have been reviwed since 2007. The other day we found it a great place for a drink and a bit of pub grub after a walk along the cliffs. Good atmosphere in the bar and prompt service. A few quirky customers which we liked - but we might be a little quirky ourselves! Good selection of beers and wines. My wifes steak and kidney pie was excellent.- I got to finish it because the portions were very generous. My duck very very tender. A nice relaxing place, and not expensive. Would definitely go back
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Lovely place, good beers, good food and spotless loos. What could be improved? The service. It took some time today for the landlady to find the barman to serve us, and then it was slightly less than graceful.
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Whilst staying in a local hotel, my partner and I decided to eat here to enjoy the local beer. However, although the Cotley Tawny was excellent, our experience of this pub was poor indeed. We were surpised that this pub was very quiet, barely one-third occupied for an Easter Saturday evening. My partner ordered the pork loin. It was off the menu so he hastily ordered the Jack Daniels chicken. What arrived was scampi & chips instead. No apologies just whipped away when he said he didn't want scampi. So we could eat together I actually had to ask for mine to be taken back to keep hot. We waited a further 20 mins to get the chicken dish. However, my partner found the mix of flavours to be unpleasant, it seemed as if someone, in their hurry to re-serve us, had made an error in the use of ingredients. When I got my reheated 'potjie' pork casserole, it was bland and disappointing despite its South African recipe. We mentioned all this to the staff. They were extremely unhelpful, very nervous and defensive. Eventually the landlord came out and a long protracted debate ensued. He stated that the chicken had been on the menu for years and everyone else enjoyed it, and refused to accept our comments. He then asked us where we lived, we said that wasn't relevant. He said that we must be used to eating in places much more upmarket than his [not true] and what did we expect for �9.95? Eventually, he begrudgingly deducted this from our bill. Finally, what shocked us most was his suggestion that we shouldn't bother to come back but eat in our own hotel the following night. We were polite and courteous throughout, but were amazed at the arrogance and utter lack of customer awareness. We certainly won't return and, despite the good beer, could not possibly recommend it as a place to eat.
anonymous - 9 Apr 2007 14:14 |
beautiful pub spotlessly clean, very friendly staff.Had a light lunch which was very nice but far too expensive for me.Clientele a bit upmarket. Fine for a special occasion.
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Lovely pub,stayed for one night in a beautiful comfortable room. Owners very friendly,food good,beer great, Winnie the dog wonderful.
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excellent food and real ales walled garden safe for children and pets
barry eason - 1 Sep 2005 15:31 |
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