Orange Tree, Thornhamback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
As with the Lifeboat, the pandemic has seriously interrupted my North Norfolk visits and I' getting withdrawal symptoms! Hope to make it down soon, though!
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I understand it's just one another award. well done!
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Snooty... Visited in July 12 around 4.00pm (between lunch & dinner service), and not sure staff were that bothered about serving us. Food and drink okay, but overly expensive. There are better pubs around this area (White Horse @ Brancaster Staithe, Lifeboat @ Thornham and my personal favorite, The Gin trap @ Ringstead). This is not a major moan; just an observation regarding a pub that needs to keep it's eye on the ball...
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Had a meal here last week whilst staying at the Old Coach House. High season so VERY busy, which always makes it hard to relax. Excellent food of couse, and surprisingly quick service given the rush! Absurdly expensive, but I felt like trating myself and I can't resist Lobster Thermidor. I was tempted and I fell ... so I can't really complain.
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Yes indeed. Very good, but very expensive. Where will it end? The current Recession forces prices up and demand down. At what point do running-costs and demand cancel each other out at some sort of happy medium? Like the refurbished Ship at Brancaster, this is a really nice eatery/gastropub, but who - other than "pre-retired" baby-boomers such as myself (and I suspect Firedrake) could ever afford to use it? (And even we can only manage it once or twice a year!) When I first came here (1977) it was both a real local AND a quality pub-grub watering hole for visitors! Have those halcyon days really gone forever?
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Well, I kept my word and came back, having been somewhat out-priced at Brancaster's beautifully refurbished Ship (qv) only to find that the OT is now pretty much as expensive! No complaints about the food or service though: still excellent. Had a pint at the lifeboat first and noticed that their prices are still just about within the range of a mere mortal! However - I don't regret lunch at the Tree ... I just mustn't make a habit of it!
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Only stopped for a pint (but had 3). Under new management since June 2009 (new landlord is Mark). Friendly welcome, real fire and great beer. Didn't eat but looks to have a fab menu & it's good reputation for great food is known widely. Wil be back soon......
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Firedrake is, as ever, spot-on. Yes, it's tasteful, elegant and well worth a visit, but not quite the "local" it was in the late seventies/early eighties! I think the Lifeboat still has the edge ... just!
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Interesting. I've known this pub almost as long as I've known the Lifeboat. On a visit to Thornham in '99 I was told that the locals had begun to favour the KH over the latter on the grounds that the latter had lost its "local" character. Well - I still loved the Lifeboat, but I could see their point. Anyway, the King's Head did indeed have pleanty of character at that time and certainly wasn't "underused"! Now ... it is certainly tastefull, sophisticated and impressive in many ways, but that local feel has sadly gone (changing the name didn't help - but at least they've kept the old sign) and I rather think the Lifeboat is back in the running ... at least it still "feels" like a pub!
Incidentally, I think it was in the KH where I first encountered a "Space Invaders" game: c1980 ... or was it the now-defunct Chequers?
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Yes, definately 'gastro brigade' and pricy. BUT! it was the only pub in the area which allowed forty muddy and dishevelled metal detectorists to hold their own quiz night. Nice staff but hardly speak English. I discussed the refurbishment with the new owner, who actually was very convincing. He said the place was absolutely neglected, needed complete refurbishment or pulling down, and as he was doing it, surely he should be allowed to create something succesful rather than what it was before, an underused local?
Well I couldn't totally disagree, though I still have a bill for two pints and two grassburgers (rocket on everything!)which i show folk as an example of English prices.
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