The Pot Kiln

i personally think the reviews I've read are very unjust. people seem to think that because mike Robinson, the owner and head chef, is a celebrity , the interior should resemble the restaurant in Harvey Nicholas. Anyway the review: upon arrival, i thought the exterior was truly how i imagined from the TV series and the garden and BBQ area completed the package.

the greeting by the staff was very warm and their choice of both wine and ales was very good. whilst i do agree that the tables are cramped in, i find it adds to the atmosphere of a bistro-pub. whilst i have been several time i always have the pigeon and black pudding with bacon salad. i found it incredibly tasteful and aesthetically pleasing. the venison with pomme puree was delightful and could have eaten more. desserts were also amazing. the pot kiln also offers curry nights, pizza nights amoungst other things.

service: the waitresses dont wear a strict uniform, giving a nice relaxed atmosphere and when removing unused glasses from the table wore white gloves and didnt touch the lip of your glass when setting down your drink, making a nice change from other restaurants.

overall i think the Pot Kiln has been unfairly judged by some and deserves another try. i think the its one of the best rustic restuarant in the Uk
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 30, 2008

As an ignorant visitor, having watched the TV series we had travelled a good distance to get to The Pot Kiln, it was pretty difficult to find, if you don’t have Sat Nav, don’t bother! The Pot Kiln was a cramped venue; although it was warm it wasn’t best laid out.

First we were offered our menu's as we were seated and was immediately disappointed with the not so great selection of dishes available, there wasn’t even a fraction of what was on the website menu we had studied before booking and so is VERY misleading, diners be aware. Out of 5 starters to choose from I felt I had to make the best out of a bad situation and settled for a starter of Mackerel Pate which came out with a big lump of lard an inch thick across the top, I ended up leaving it in the end, and the taste lingered with me for the rest of the night. The service was slow, the badly dressed waitress's did not seem to care we were there, the wait between being asked to take our order was longer than the wait for our food to prepare, and having being seated next to the one and only ladies toilet we had the pleasure of having no choice but to listen to every lady relieving themselves whilst in between courses, a marvellous touch!! My Deer which I had ordered having been looking forward to it on my journey to The Pot Kiln was served on a cold dish, that instantly made the potato puree the venison was sat on cold, not an enjoyable dish when it turns cold!! With only 5 deserts on the Menu I chose to have the rice pudding, but again was bitterly disappointed when it came out, the rice was stuck at the bottom of the dish it was served in a sticky mass clump, it was relying on the overpowering vanilla flavour to disguise the fact that it was a very bland and not at all enjoyable pudding.

The expense of the food was outrageous really for somewhere that if truth be told is not better than a local pub down your road, the fact that local produce is served is the only highlight of The Pot Kiln but to be frank most places serve local produce now so to make a journey specially I seriously wouldn’t bother
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Shellie Bethell
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Arrived at Pot Kiln for weekday evening meal during December, dissapointed to find reduced menu (4 starter, 4 main, 4 desert).

Food very dissapointing to say the least, only personal choice left to have as main was Turkey (resist pun of association between this and the Pot Kiln) - Which arrived as follows:

Squirt of chestnut puree on center plate.

One turned roasted potato atop (yes one)

Roulade of Turkey wrapped in bacon atop the single potato.

And then (and this is what really made me want to write this review) four tiny sprouts arranged as a garnish around the plate - Pretencious Toss!

Traditional Christmas pudding ice cream to end with - Just what you want in the depths of winter?

Was this worth the associated £31 asking price - Well, I can understand why there were only three other tables dining that evening - So much for the busy Christmas stampede.

Once the PR and 'Celebrity' fog has cleared, all you are left with here is a mediocre restaurant/pub in a wayward location, serving ordinary food.
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Mr Hunt
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Saturday, December 23, 2006

Fantastic place for Sunday lunch. The food was gorgeous - fresh, flavoursome locally sourced - and the service could not be faulted. The maitre d' was charming and attentive and even the as-seen-on-screen proprietor and chef stopped by every table to check that customers were enjoying their meal. Highly recommended.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, December 18, 2006

What a fantastic restaurant. We had a superb meal made from fresh local produce (Most of which has been caught/shot by one of the chef's !). The tastes were strong and wild - as we expected. The service was outstanding with all of the staff having an in depth knowledge into each dish.

The beer (virtually from the brewery on site - well 200 yds up the road) was well kept and tasted lovely.

This restaurant is definately worth a visit - make sure you book though !
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Steve Furnell
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 28, 2006

What a load of hype heavens kitchen!

ordinary to say the least,uninspired service and more to the point a distinct lack of knowledge about the menu.

Mike Robinson should stick to television.

expensive very ordinary fayre
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Chris M
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, October 20, 2006

A superb pub in the middle of nowhere serving the most amazing variety of locally sourced, exciting foods, all either shot, fished or dug up locally - Examples are pave of wild fallow deer, jugged hare, crayfish bisque and some sterling puddings!
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Dave Middleton
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 13, 2006