The Hood Arms - Menú

"On a day trip to visit a jewellery maker in the Quantocks we decided that the nearby Hood Arms was good for lunch. Research revealed this pub had a convenient location, was well recommended, thus promising a good lunch. Having no reservation we were pleased, not only to be able to get a table, but also have a choice. We sat in the bar right in front of a window overlooking the A39 main road. The bright winter sun was streaming in through the window. We sat backs to the sun, absorbing the radiated heat: most welcome on what was a cold day with a biting breeze. It was a weekday visit and on arrival, early in the lunchtime, there were few customers. This gave us time to exchange pleasantries with the bar staff. Sarah, the young woman, who appeared to run the bar was particularly personable: engaging with us in respect of the menu and wine on offer. We chatted very amiably, exchanging experiences of French wine and wine regions, and places to visit in France (amongst other things). I had enquired as to wines available by the glass: I was impressed to be told that there were two Sauvignon Blanc wines: French and, the other, South African. Both of these countries produce quality wine that particularly suits our tastes. The French offering was from Languedoc “Rue des Amis”: it was very good with a pleasant, fresh and slightly floral nose, with a particularly tropical fruit palate. Later, during our meal, I had the South African offering: this was amusingly called “Don’t Tell the Kiwis”; it was definitely more robust with a very zesty citrus palate and a nose typical of Western Cape vineyards. At £5 and £6 respectively for 175ml (medium) glasses, this was good value for what was a good quality wine. From the menu we were both initially considering the Fish and Chips: but we were advised that it was Cod today, whereas we definitely prefer the meatier Haddock. Second choice from the standard lunch menu was the ‘Hood Burger’ with an intriguing promise of a ‘special ingredient’; this helped us decide. The ‘Specials’ featured quite a lot of fresh fish and I almost chose my main plate from there, to accompany the Scallops starter from the ‘Specials’ that I had already chosen: the latter at £9 per plate appeared good value. So, after a bit of deliberation, it was the Scallops starter for me, with my partner abstaining, in expectation of capacity for a dessert. Mains were the burgers for both of us. My starter was soon placed in front of me. Three perfectly cooked smallish scallops each placed on a round of black pudding that was larger than its accompanying scallop. Two crispy back bacon streaky tails adorned two of the scallops, with a garnish of fresh green leaves and a raw red cabbage. The scallops were very good, but the black pudding over dominated the taste and texture of the plate. Each round of black pudding should, IMHO, have been reduced by half (if not two thirds). Black pudding is definitely not my favourite; but other diners, more appreciative of the ‘delicacy’, may disagree. The burgers arrived after a wait that suggested that they were freshly cooked for us. We had been promised that the burgers would be pink and they were; but they were pink from the ‘special ingredient’, rather from a lighter touch in the griddle. The burgers had a really good taste, but for me they were overcooked, and therefore a tab dry. My partner had no such issues. My burger wasn’t ruined, but the texture was wrong: ideally burgers need to be hot, soft, pink and juicy; I am not fearful of pink steak, so why would I worry about pink beef? The burgers were served with a generous portion of delicious triple cooked chunky chips (we had been offered these as an alternative to the skinny fries). The substantial sourdough bun was certainly more filling than my preference: i.e. a brioche bun. I feel that a firm and substantial bun makes it more difficult to take a bite from a burger in the hand, whereas my partner prefers the more substantial bread buns. For me, when eating a burger in a brioche bun, it’s fine to have messy fingers; after all that’s why you have the option of cutlery and paper napkins. The burgers were a substantial plate, ideal if you are ravenous, but I was unable to eat all of the carb elements: the chips were really good, so I hardly ate any of the bun. Nether of us had room for dessert maybe next time? We both really appreciate the very pleasant service, thank you."