REVIEW
THE EBRINGTON ARMS
THE EBRINGTON ARMS
It's not often a pub or restaurant ticks every box. There is usually at least one thing that could have been a little better, quicker or cheaper. At The Ebrington Arms, located a couple of miles outside of Chipping Campden, this certainly wasn't the case.
The moment we walked through the doors of this beautiful 17th century building we were welcomed by a young waiter who without looking new exactly where we were sitting - this was in the bar area next to the fire place. Sometimes the bar area can be the worse place to be seated but there was a lovely atmosphere and lots of space for the diners at each table and the flurry of drinkers at the bar. The walls were scattered with old mismatched photographs, mirrors and vintage signs that mixed with the grey/blue paint and Cotswold Stone, gave a lovely relaxed feel.
The moment we walked through the doors of this beautiful 17th century building we were welcomed by a young waiter who without looking new exactly where we were sitting - this was in the bar area next to the fire place. Sometimes the bar area can be the worse place to be seated but there was a lovely atmosphere and lots of space for the diners at each table and the flurry of drinkers at the bar. The walls were scattered with old mismatched photographs, mirrors and vintage signs that mixed with the grey/blue paint and Cotswold Stone, gave a lovely relaxed feel.
We were greeted by a waitress who brought us some dinner menus and asked us for our drink choices. She also asked if we'd like a bottle of tap water on the table. A small gesture but a welcomed, and rare, one in the UK!
The menus were short, yet perfectly formed - four starter choices and four main courses - with the addition of a soup special starter and "Yubby" (the ale brewed by the pub) battered fish and chips and a Todenham Farm (as local as you can get) burger with Paddock Farm (also local) smoked bacon as the special mains. There was, as you can gather, a huge nod to local produce. Bibury Trout, Buckland Manor tomatoes, Cerney Ash cheese to name but a few. We chose our food after being talked through most dishes by our brilliant waitress, Flo (we found out her name because she was so good!). One Hot Smoked Bibury Trout, fennel, watercress and potted crayfish sauce and Crab, pickled samphire and seaweed toast (pictured above) to start and one steak and ale pie with the choice of new potatoes or chips (she chose chips!) and bobby beans and a burger (what else?) for mains. Before all of that for a pre-starter, we experienced a touch of simple genius - Tempura courgette sourced from Drinkwater's in Chipping Campden (who was actually sat on the table next to us!) & Aioli. We had never seen or tasted this before and yes we are well aware that it is just a green squash in a light batter, but it was truly delicious and something you must try during your visit!
The menus were short, yet perfectly formed - four starter choices and four main courses - with the addition of a soup special starter and "Yubby" (the ale brewed by the pub) battered fish and chips and a Todenham Farm (as local as you can get) burger with Paddock Farm (also local) smoked bacon as the special mains. There was, as you can gather, a huge nod to local produce. Bibury Trout, Buckland Manor tomatoes, Cerney Ash cheese to name but a few. We chose our food after being talked through most dishes by our brilliant waitress, Flo (we found out her name because she was so good!). One Hot Smoked Bibury Trout, fennel, watercress and potted crayfish sauce and Crab, pickled samphire and seaweed toast (pictured above) to start and one steak and ale pie with the choice of new potatoes or chips (she chose chips!) and bobby beans and a burger (what else?) for mains. Before all of that for a pre-starter, we experienced a touch of simple genius - Tempura courgette sourced from Drinkwater's in Chipping Campden (who was actually sat on the table next to us!) & Aioli. We had never seen or tasted this before and yes we are well aware that it is just a green squash in a light batter, but it was truly delicious and something you must try during your visit!
Flo (our new friend) returned during the meal to ask how we were and to offer more drinks. A large glass of Malbec to compliment the pie and a glass of the lightest "Yubby" ale for me. I would never put myself the ale loving category and a Camra membership is probably never going to happen, but this was light, smooth and actually delicious!
We were both full but the Salted Caramel, hot chocolate mousse & peanut butter ice cream was screaming out of the dessert menu and was highly recommended by Flo so with two spoons, we polished that off too! It was a immense!
We were both full but the Salted Caramel, hot chocolate mousse & peanut butter ice cream was screaming out of the dessert menu and was highly recommended by Flo so with two spoons, we polished that off too! It was a immense!
As the evening grew to a close we mentioned that we loved sitting in the bar but were then informed that the two restaurant rooms were once the village bakers and butchers with a bread oven and meat hooks on the ceiling still very much a feature along with exposed beams.
Delicious locally sourced food (the best meal we have had for quite a while), wonderful staff, cracking ales made in their very own Yubberton Brewery and a good local drinking crowd to enjoy them in a building that oozes character - The Ebrington Arms really does have it all!
Delicious locally sourced food (the best meal we have had for quite a while), wonderful staff, cracking ales made in their very own Yubberton Brewery and a good local drinking crowd to enjoy them in a building that oozes character - The Ebrington Arms really does have it all!
Visit www.theebringtonarms.co.uk or call 01386 593 223 to book or visit their sister pub The Killingworth Castle near Woodstock
