We had an excellent meal at The Masons Arms on August Bank Holiday Sunday with my sister, neices and partners. The menu is short but well formed with enough variety to tempt us all (although none of us could manage their famed cream tea dessert which just means we'll have to go back!). Each dish had a tasty combination of ingredients impeccably cooked. Also, the staff were tremendously accommodating throughout the booking process when our party numbers were rising and falling by the week and had no need what so ever to apologise for sitting us in the bar area as it was an ideal space and table shape for our group. We will go back but this time staying locally over night so that we can enjoy the wine menu as well!
Adam H
The Mason's Arms was recommended by a work colleague when we told him we were staying in east Somerset. A bit of a trek to find it but thanks to sat nav we made it in good time. It's basically an ancient village pub in Knowstone, to the south of Exmoor, that has been taken over by a Michelin-starred chef (from the Roux brothers' Waterside Inn at Bray, I believe).
There's a small public bar which retains its character (as well as the odd local), a lounge-cum-waiting area and the small restaurant to the rear which has great rural views and a slightly bizarre mix of plain wooden furniture and a ceiling straight out of the Sistine Chapel. Still, it’s not at all stuffy here and you really don’t want stuffy dining rooms in the middle of Devon, do you?
There’s a good wine list and a simple menu choice of five or six starters, mains and desserts. The food was top quality and beautifully presented – as you would expect from a Michelin-starred venue. Didn’t break the bank either. The only downer is that unless you are staying very local, one of you has to drive.
Chris
Recently had supper at the masons arms and have to say I was disappointed. Starters were strangely bland, fish main course was mean, no more than 4oz of halibut at best, chard accouplement unseasoned. Trio of pudding OK, souffle looked like the creme pat was old, had a almost split look to it although had risen a bit! Belly Pork main, not quite a seasonal summer dish in August! v bland. We never add extra seasoning but this food needed tones. Cheese course was very fridge cold and not at its best.
Was if all boxes are being ticked for the fat tyer man but a bit of love missing in the food production. Food at 1 star level should be better than this. This is the first time I have been let down by the little red book!!
sarah smyth
We have been to the Mason's Arms twice this year. Both visits have been superb. I took my parents there two weeks ago. I had been raving on about it for months after the first visit and persuaded them to come and see for themselves. They had a wonderful evening and my Father felt it was the best food he had ever had! (My parent regularly eat in good restaurants in England and France.) The food was excellent and although pricey was excellent value. We has 3 courses, coffee, 2.5 bottles of wine and a round of drinks for £50 per person.
Tony B.
I am truly surprised at the suggestion that the menu was small. I took my wife and a friend there in early July, 2006 and was offered an extensive a la carte or chef's special menus. Will certainly go again. Although pricey, the food experience was wonderful
Chris
We were pleasantly surprised to come across The Mason's Arms in Knowstone over Easter. We were staying in nearby South Molton and the place was recommended to us.
What a great meal we had! The food is excellent and so it should be as, I discovered, the owner is one of the country's top chefs with a pedigree as long as your arm. His wife does front of house and is charming. The choice on the menu is small, as is the dining room, but it is all fresh, local produce prepared to order. I had delicious scallops with vanilla to start and my wife a cracking apple pudding, which sounds mundane, but is very clever indeed. Nice selection of wines to go with it all, as well as a very welcoming bar.
Top rate and at local prices too.
We'll be back.
