Visited June 2008

The Bakers Arms has long been on our list of “must visit”, so when the time came to celebrate the return of “our leader” from her winter sojourn in the Antipodes we took the opportunity to seek out this award winning “dining pub” in the heart of the Meon Valley. We found it easy to locate in the High Street/A32 (alongside the village Post Office) and were pleased to find plenty of parking spaces alongside. 

A group of 13 of us (coincidentally a bakers dozen!) gathered in the homely bar area for aperitifs (G&Ts correctly presented and real ales on tap from local breweries) and to take in the atmosphere – beams, comfortable leather sofas, fresh flowers and a blackboard menu hanging over the open fireplace. We were welcomed by Anna, who with her partner Adam, bought and refurbished/transformed the pub a couple of years ago. Whilst Anna looks after “front of house” with great charm and efficiency, Adam runs the kitchen, calling upon a career working with top names (Roux/Mosimann) and at top places (The Punchbowl Inn http://www.the-punchbowl.co.uk/ & The Builders Arms http://www.geronimo-inns.co.uk/thebuildersarms/ ) to create a menu championing seasonal and locally sourced ingredients.

Having “meeted and greeted” each other, and caught up on news/gossip we then considered our selections from the menu of the day (this changes regularly, reflecting ingredient availability) – it is worth stating at this stage that although we had offered to select from a “set menu” to make life easier for the kitchen, Adam insisted that we choose from the full selection (a sign of a confident chef). Having taken our positions on rustic mismatched tables and chairs, Anna and her serving girls brought us freshly baked bread accompanied by butter and sea salt and very quickly needed to replenish us with more, so rapidly did we polish off the first round!

As a group, all of the seven starter choices were sampled, the Watercress Soup with Horseradish Cream, and Goats Cheese and Onion Tart with Pickled Beetroot and Salad, proving to be the most popular choices – we all agreed that the quality/freshness of ingredients and standard of cooking were of extremely high order. (3rd choice pictured Pressed Droxford ham hock terrine).

The mains did not disappoint either! The Hampshire Rib Eye Steak was “beautifully cooked”, the Roasted Chicken Breast with crispy Chorizo was “succulent and fiery, a fabulous combination” and the Droxford Liver, crispy Bacon, Mash and Gravy (our most popular dish, from the nine options available) was “the best ever”. As well as the high quality of the wide variety of dishes that we enjoyed, an element that also ran throughout was the simplicity of presentation and the nicely judged portion sizes – just enough….to leave room for pud!

Strawberries, Clotted Cream & homemade Shortbread, Crème Brulee, and Chocolate & Fudge Brownie with Pistachio Ice Cream were all devoured with great glee by those having a sweet tooth, whilst a selection of local Cheeses was shared by those of a more savoury disposition. Coffees and teas (“Mighty Leaf” handcrafted bags) rounded off a superb meal.

To summarise, The Bakers Arms is “top notch”. Adam and Anna are providing a masterclass in how to get pub dining right. They are a delightful and talented young couple who deserve all the awards and plaudits that are coming their way. As a result, booking is almost essential….you won’t regret it!

 Cost £ £ £ £ £ £ - on average for a large group, some drinking and some not!