The Hoste Arms

SquareMeal Review of The Hoste Arms

Over the years, this handsome 17th-century inn hard by gentrified Burnham Market’s village green has been transformed into that rare combo of stylish pub, restaurant & classy hotel. Food isn’t served in the rustic, unpretentious bar, but the variously styled dining areas are popular with locals, celebs & weekending Londoners. A lengthy brasserie-style menu focuses on Norfolk produce (there’s a policy of sourcing fish & other ingredients from a 20-mile radius). Order hot Brancaster oysters with garlic & parsley butter or home-smoked breast of local pigeon, then move on to cod in beer batter or Cajun-marinated spring chicken served with sweetcorn fritters, tomato & avocado salsa. After that, consider the likes of apple & sultana tarte Tatin with Calvados ice cream & cinnamon syrup for pud.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Gastropub

Location

The Green, Burnham Market, King's Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8HD

01328 738 777 01328 738 777

Website

Opening Times

Mon-Sun 12N-2pm 7-9pm

Reviews

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2 Reviews 
Food/Drink
Service
Atmosphere
Value

gerald B

26 July 2011  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 2.5
Atmosphere 3
Value 3.5
Our 5th or 6th meal in the Hoste restaurant in the last 2-3 years. As always, it was very busy. They have nice large sofa / coffee / lounge type area in a large conservatory at the back, plus a more atmospheric old pub front bar area – although both get very busy. The restaurant food is quite good, but not great. Some dishes beautifully cooked, others overcooked, but in general did not live up to expectations, given the menu emphasis on best quality local ingredients. We have eaten some very good carefully cooked Holkham Estate venison, but on our most recent visit had some not particularly great tasting crab and sea bass. Normally seem to pay £55-£60 for 2 for 2 courses, inc service ex all drinks, which seems fair. Over several visits, service has been very variable. Overall, they are all just too rushed and too busy to have any time to even try to be charming or attentive, and sometimes spend too much time being self important. Given the very high churn of customers on a busy weekend, plus the prices, staff really need to concentrate on being very well organised and very professional. Last year, we'd not previously seen so many plates being dropped in a restaurant in an evening. Also, not impressed at not being offered a fresh glass to taste a second bottle of £40 wine, nor offered a bottle cooler for a £50 champagne. OK for a £25 bottle in a gastro pub, which I think is their real level. Perhaps much better at much quieter times mid-week ? A gastro pub with rooms that has perhaps now expanded beyond its capabilities, and if not very careful is on the verge of becoming much less appealing ?? Clearly a great ££ business for the owners. Overall, a mixed impression. The restaurant is really a good gastro pub, but no more. Go casual and don’t expect any more – especially from the service, which can be very pot luck and could do with more professional management for the high traffic volume. Hoste prices very much reflect its popularity, but they are not OTT. Remains one of the better quality eating destinations in North Norfolk.

Charlotte G

20 February 2009  
Food & Drink 3.5
Service 3
Atmosphere 3.5
Value 3.5
I am used to London restaurants so this compared favourably. Service was friendly and good for Norfolk standards. Loved the venison and chocolate sauce. Atmosphere is trendy but relaxed.
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