Will the Kings Head at Letheringsett be a new favourite?
Food
We accidentally stumbled upon the Kings Head at Letheringsett while getting lost trying to find another restaurant. The bright orange parasols clashing against the vast luscious greenery of the restaurant's grounds drew us in, forgetting our original endeavour.
Combined with the grandeur of the place we expected excellence and our starter of sweetcorn fritters with chipotle butter confirmed it. I thought my mum was going to burst with joy as she raved that they were one of the best things she'd ever tasted. Although a tad greasy, they were punching with a tangy flavour and truly delectable. The chipotle butter was in a different league, melting in the mouth, it set the fritters on fire.
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All the food was exquisitely presented yet excitement subsided when the mains arrived. The harissa roasted aubergine, garlic, spinach and tomato tagliatelle, for all intents and purposes was nice. Unexpectedly it was a creamy sauce, it was cloying rather than light and fresh as I had hoped and I tired of it quickly. It lacked the heat needed to bring it to life. My mum thought it was beautifully executed and muttered something about me being uncompromising and fussy, perhaps true, but following the starter it was an anti-climax.
The real issue was with the piri piri buttermilk fried chicken burger. When it arrived mum's gleeful face remained as she told the waitress how amazing it looked, then she tucked into it. Now, I've surveyed a few people around the office, as I wanted to make sure we weren't being picky and over dramatic and the general concensus came back that the chicken thigh, with a slimy layer of skin left underneath it's lackluster fried crumb was in actual fact not what they would have expected either.
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The promise of 'piri piri' and 'buttermilk' never came, instead grey and tough meat reared it's ugly head, one piece was veiny and bloody making it inedible. It was not a burger. Had the menu said chicken thigh, we would not have ordered it.
For the sake of a rhetoric change on the menu and what I hope was an unfortunate one off in the kitchen, it could've easily been avoided. I do believe the food here is normally of an impeccable standard so we brushed it off.
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Drinks
The selection of drinks at the bar is vast. It's a classic British pub with an impressive wine list, including a Wild South Savignon Blanc from Marlborough, New Zealand, my favourite.
Ambience
There's a hubbub about the place yet it remained calm and tranquil. The interior is sleek but maintains the feel of a proper Norfolk pub. Outside is beautiful. There was an all day barbecue taking place. Serving an impressive selection, including garlic and chilli crevettes and halloumi and harissa mushroom skewers, all with a selection of fresh salads from a shed collectively with the cool outside bar known as 'the Shack BBQ and Bar'. It happens every weekend throughout summer. There was a fantastic atmosphere and I would definitely would return for it.
Loos
They were quite small and dark but did the job.
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Parking
There is plenty of free car parking on site.
Location
Ever so slightly in the middle of nowhere. If you've looked up directions it's easy enough to find and you can see it from the road, calling out to passers-by like a beacon.
Price
Reasonable. The set lunch menu was £12.95 for one course and £20.95 for three. The all day classics menu averaged out at around £12 with a 10oz rib eye reaching £25.95. The a la carte dinner menu is slightly steeper with mains ranging from £13.95 to £17.95, but aside from the chicken burger incident I would say the price is fair for the quality.
Highlight
The sweetcorn fritters stole the show, as did the countryside setting of the pub.
In Summary
The King's Head is a wonderful place to visit if you are up in north Norfolk, and would be suited to a special occasion.
The quality and atmosphere of the place is outstanding. Although one element of our meal was extremely disappointing it hasn't put me off.
This is an independent review.
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