Thursday 6 October 2011

The Kings Arms (Cardington)

Front garden Kings Arms

If any of you don't know Cardington it is a beautiful little village nestled just outside Bedford in the shadow of the magnificent air ship hangers.

The Kings arms has had a mixed past. I remember it years ago when it was inevitably run by some awful chain pumping out microwaved cardboard-esque gruel.

However, more recently under new ownership and after a long overdue make over the gastro pub has really come in to its own.

It’s less a pub and more of a restaurant (still a chain) now and is beautifully decorated inside and out. I have spent countless Sunday afternoons sitting out in the garden with a cool drink and warm wholesome, freshly produced meal. The menu has a home cooked feel about it. However, it is a far cry from anything the average cook could rustle up in their kitchen. The food is more often than not brilliant. I think I would say they do simple food really well. Things like their fish and chips and Sunday roasts are always very good. That is of course when they have the ingredients! As last Sunday I went at about 4.00pm and there was only one out of the four roast dinner options to choose from. It was beef, not my first, second or third choice but I have to say it was cooked to perfection being tender and full of flavour. The vegetables and potatoes were also seasoned well and very moreish.

The restaurants does all kinds of courses (which I must say I wasn't aware of until I looked at their website) like two for £10 and three to £13 on certain days of the week; full details of which are available on their website.