Thursday 3 June 2021

The Churchill Arms, Paxford, Blockley, Gloucestershire


A tad pricey, the Churchill Arms is a gastro-pub with its roots in the seventeenth century. It retains its beamed ceilings and flagstone floors, but much of the interior decor (and the ambiance) signals pretentious hotel, rather than traditional hostelry. The menu is fairly short and safe, although most of the classic dishes come with a twist, such as cod with curried mussels. Costing £17, the fish and chips is one of the cheapest main courses (fillet of beef is a heady £28). The portions are fairly modest, so you may need to top up with a sticky toffee pudding (£7) - this is catering for a well-heeled Cotswolds crowd. Still, the dishes are nicely done and well-presented. 7/10

Michael's Mediterranean Restaurant, the High Street, Chipping Campden

A tasteful Greek restaurant housed in one of the fine old buildings on Chipping Campden's historic high street, Michael's has a leafy courtyard garden at the back, as well as a few tables indoors and at the front. The young waiting staff serve decent meze (£18.50 to share), seafood mariniere (£35 for two), mousakka (£14.50) and other Greek stables, with a smile.  Wine by the glass and the bottles of beer are a tad pricey for Gloucestershire, but Campden is on the tourist trail. 8/10

Wednesday 2 June 2021

The Kings Arms, High Street, Mickleton, Gloucestershire



The Kings Arms is a traditional pub serving respectable food, including British pub classics, such as fish and chips (£15), and some slightly more adventurous fare, such as mussels and frites (£16.50), and balsamic and sweet chilli beef salad (also £15). The portions are generous and the seafood is surprisingly fresh. The deserts are particularly good, while the drinks are competitively priced (less than a fiver for a pint of Thatchers Gold cider or a glass of Sauvignon Blanc). There is a large garden at the back or you can sit inside, underneath the beams and soak up the old-school ambiance. 8/10