In a different Class

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The Butchers Arms, Priors Hardwick
★★★☆☆
3.4
53.0% of users recommend this
  • Quality of service

  • Quality of food

  • Value For Money

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RandolphFarquhar's review of The Butchers Arms, Priors Hardwick

“In a different Class”

★★★★★

written by RandolphFarquhar on 06/06/2013

I am intrigued by some of the reviews for this elegant restaurant. I have concluded that these fast food junkies are confused by the name and think it is like some roadside managed public houses that are part of a chain.
I have to say they are easily spotted and my wife and I usually play the 'McDonald's customer' bingo game when we dine - if you spot four it's a full house!!

Thankfully these visitors are few and far between and we are able to dine in the butchers Arms in very good company. The menu is sumptuous, the food is absolutely superb and the staff and service level is first class. My wife and I would thoroughly recommend it to those of us who appreciate the finer things in life.
Lino, they are beautiful people and have developed a restaurant that is unique and in my view cannot be surpassed.

If you have the need for ‘mayo on your chips’ or ‘ketchup on your burger’ or perhaps feel that a free salad bar is the height of classic dining I suggest you visit a local town centre or stop at one of those dreadful ‘Harvester’ outlets.

  • Other

    Food Type

  • Several times a month

    How often do you eat here?

  • Refined

    Atmosphere

  • Quality of service

  • Quality of food

  • Value For Money

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Nick357's Response to RandolphFarquhar's Review

Written on: 18/06/2013

Laughable Randy, laughable. You clearly don't get out much, do you? If you think this is the opitome of 'fine dining' - then where have you been for the past 30 years? I'm pretty sure it hasn't escaped your attention that a lot of people who have reviewed this place negatively all say the same things. Things like stuffy. Tired. Desperately old fashioned ( and not in a good way, either). Actually, they sound pretty well informed foodies to me - certainly not Harvester people. They also mention poorly cooked frozen food ( one look at the vast menu is a killer giveaway for any foodie that it won't be fresh). Do you actually watch Masterchef? Where's the locally sourced fresh produce? Where's the provenance? Where's the elegance in presentation? Jesus - it still has a sweet trolley that some pensioner wheels around and dollops a black forest gateaux onto a bowl. If that's your definition of a classy joint, you need your head examining. There's about half a dozen gastro pubs, all within 20 miles of this place, that simply cook better food. At reasonable prices. And if vulgar gold jewellery, flashy shiny shirts and WAG-ish 'ladies' bizarrely dressed in mini skirts is 'classy' clientele, then you're welcome to it. Avoid like the plague.

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Randolphfarquhar's reply to Nick357's Comment

Written on: 19/06/2013

The 'laugh' I think is on you Nick357.
I am well aware of the mix of reviews for this delightful restaurant and I note that your comment does appear to be based on what others have said. I am unsure if you have visited this establishment yourself, I hope you have. However this perhaps provides evidence that you are predisposed to examine through other peoples eyes and influenced by other negative opinions, choosing to ignore the balanced view.
Perhaps you should visit again and make a point of reading the information available in the menu informing you of the locally sourced produce. Incidentally Lino will gladly take you on a tour of the kitchens if you request it. You will then be able to provide an informed opinion based on your own experience rather than your current prejudiced view based on some of the diatribe you have read and taken to heart.
I would thank you for mentioning 'masterchef', gave me quite a giggle and further evidence of you personal lack of food knowledge and pedigree. Masterchef is a television program designed to entertain and is as much about art and entertainment as it is food. I wonder how many of those dishes presented on the program you have tasted - alas none as all are consumed by the pompous vegetable retailer and the failed foreign 'chef'. I must admit I quite enjoy watching it but for entertainment purposes only.
Your last point is lost on me I'm afraid I don't subscribe to gold as being vulgar and as to short skirts and bizarre dress - I'm sorry it is clear that you may have dined here just once and maybe these people accompanied but the majority of fellow diners that I am used to have class, are professionals and have been groomed in etiquette. They are not the modern overindulged credit card classes that I think you refer to.
Enjoy your local 'Gastro-pubs' Nick357 I understand they all come with ketchup , mayo and may even throw in the odd free salad (I must admit I would rather eat the hound's meal than attend these 'microwave' establishments

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Nicky357's reply to Randolphfarquhar's Comment

Written on: 23/06/2013

Jesus this is getting boring.

I'll just revert to my original point - I just think you don't get out very much. A few points:

1. I just don't recognise the Mayo, ketchup and free salad at the pubs I eat at, and I'm not quite sure the point your making here.
2. You seem to have a rather condescending attitude that anyone who doesn't eat at the Butchers Arms - or dares criticise its many failings, simply MUST only have experienced a 'greasy spoon' cafe or a Harvester.
3. I find this totally bizarre and you're clearly so uninformed and unaware in your world that - as I said - you clearly think the staple pawn cocktail-steak Diane-black forest gateux 'sophistication, (!) dished up by the pensioners at The Butchers is as good as it gets.
4. It's not. Get out. Drive within 40 miles of the Butchers and just try one of these. Go on. I dare you:

Howards Arms, Illmington
Fox & Hounds, Great Wolford
Farnborough Inn, Farnborough
The Swan, Swinford, Nr Burford
Cherington Arms, Cherington
The Norman Knight, Whichford

I don't think you'll see much ketchup or free salad here. What you will see, however, is a bill which will come in around £70 for two with a bottle of wine.

But then you're getting locally sourced, seasonal dishes, excellently cooked and elegantly presented.

You want to try 2013 sometime. It's not that bad...

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