Somerset Arms, Church Street, Maiden Bradley, BA12 7HW.
(01985) 844207
Owners Lisa Richards and Rachel Seed have transformed The Somerset Arms, built by the Duke himself, into a finely decorated bar, dining venue and boutique-style bed and breakfast, after taking it over last year.
The former food critics, who swapped a life in Spain for the charms of the Warminster village, have introduced high bookcases, grand candlesticks and rich-coloured wood furnishings, which transport you into what could be a setting for a Miss Marple mystery.
Apart from being a touch cold, which I am sure is not the case when the roaring log fire is in full flow, the surroundings are comforting.
Being a big fan of the traditional British roast, we visited on a quiet Sunday afternoon with high hopes.
And it’s worth saying before going into detail that we were far from disappointed.
The Sunday menu offers a range of drinks to get things going – including a glass of house champagne and a spicy bloody mary.
But, aware that a hangover and Monday morning at work do not mix, we moved straight onto the starters.
We both opted for white Devon crab with chilli and coriander on toasted sourdough and brown meat mayo, priced at £6.50. It was simply sensational.
Despite containing potentially overpowering ingredients, the crab’s fresh flavour shone through and fused beautifully with the chilli and coriander. It was a mix made in heaven. The sourdough was light and airy and the whole dish left you wanting more, much more!
Other starters included baked Somerset Camembert and a chicken liver, pomegranate and rocket salad.
For a main I went for the leg of lamb, while Tim chose the sirloin of Stourhead beef.
What arrived was a jam-packed, rounded plate filled with roasted parsnips, cabbage, carrots and a Yorkshire pudding, topped with gravy.
The meat was succulent and fell apart, and by placing it on the rest of the food, the flavour drizzled through. The roasts ranged in price from £9.95 to £12.95.
For dessert, we shared a vanilla pannacotta with winter berries, which was one of the best I have ever tasted. The berries were sharp and contrasted sublimely with the sweetness of the pannacotta.
The pub prides itself on its constantly changing menu, which is packed with food reared, grown or produced within 30 miles.
Our bill came to a total of £45.65, including a half pint of lager and a pint of cola.
Sunday roasts served from noon to 8.30pm
Disabled access
Small car park
Bangers, bubbly and ballroom night on New Year’s Eve - £45 per person
Luxury bed and breakfast
Resident pooch Henry, a Great Dane, keeps online diary
Our Eating Out is an independent review carried out by the Gazette without prior knowledge of the owners.
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