Venue: The Kings Arms, Yorkshire Dales National Park, High Lane, Reeth, Richmond, DS11 6SY.
Facebook Site: @KingsArmsHotel1734
Reeth is a village about 11 miles west of Richmond in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire and is considered the principal settlement of upper Swaledale. The focal point and centre of Reeth is the village green in the heart of the village. During our visit, this appeared to be the meeting place for Cyclist and Walkers ready to explore the spectacular scenery of Dales.
Situated in the heart of the village and on the route of the 2014 Yorkshire Grande Depart Tour de France cycle route is where The Kings Arms Hotel is located. This traditional village Inn dating back to 1734 is locally known as the “Middle House” because of its position overlooking the village green. Popular with walkers, tourists and locals alike, this family friendly Inn is renowned for its locally sourced seasonal food, traditional cask ales, roaring log inglenook fire and comfortable rooms boasting a hearty bed and breakfast. This is what attracted us to spend the weekend in the Kings Arms and to sample the fine ales and locally sourced food. Friday is well known as Fishy Friday and The Kings Arms promoted two Fish & Chips for the price of one, this was very tempting, but how could I resist a local Steak & Ale Pie served with Chips, Peas and Gravy.
And so onto my reviews:
Pie: #1 of 2 Steak & Ale
Temperature as eaten: Hot
Rating: 8.5
The pie was a good size with a golden flaky pastry lid. The pastry was firm on the outside and filled with large chunks of steak with a lovely thick ale gravy which was a dark brown in colour making the pie very moist all the way through. The meat was delicious and fell apart as you cut through with your knife.
This was a sizeable pie, served with a portion of chips and fresh garden peas. There was also a gravy boat full of thick gravy to accomplish the whole meal, making it a good hearty warm meal that any rambler or cyclist coming off the Dales would welcome with a pint of The Kings Arms finest ale.
Pie: #2 of 2 Chicken & Leek
Temperature as eaten: Hot
Rating: 8.2
Having enjoyed the Steak & Ale Pie on the first night, I decided to go for the Chicken & Leek Pie on the second.
The pie was a good size, again with a golden flaky pastry lid and the pastry was firm on the outside and filled with Chicken & Leek. Again the pie was accompanied by a lovely thick gravy. The Chicken & Leek filling was enjoyable and packed the Pie casing from top to bottom. My only observation was that the Pie filling could have done with a creamy sauce to give it a bit more moisture. However, that is only my view and the extra chicken gravy rectified this. The pie was served with a portion of chips and fresh garden peas, so along with the boat full of thick gravy this made a good hearty warm meal sat in front of the roaring log inglenook fire.
I’m looking forward to my next visit.
GW.
Steak & Ale
