Just to note that The Kings Arms Fernhurst website is no longer out of date but appears to be fully updated as Wheelers etc.....
Location: Midhurst Road, Fernhurst, West Sussex, GU27 3HA
Overview: “Food that made me grin like a Cheshire cat, fantastic service and delicious Argentinean Merlot makes The Kings Arms one of this county’s destination gastropubs, delivering a first rate experience that won’t break the bank.
“More restaurant than pub it isn’t really suitable for younger children but for anyone else, who enjoys fine dining in a relaxed environment, The Kings Arms deserves a place on your ‘Go To List’.”
After launching Wheelers of St James @ The Chequers in Maresfield, East Sussex, back in June, legendary chef Marco Pierre White has taken his Wheelers brand west. Last month 17th century country inn and hotel The Kings Arms in Fernhurst, West Sussex, became the latest Sussex location to be given the Wheelers of St James treatment; Devour Sussex went to investigate...
The Kings Arms is the real deal when it comes to quintessential country pubs, bursting with rugged charm and character; think low ceilings, open fires, wooden beams, real ale and all dogs welcome and you’ll get the picture. Add to that crisp white linen, elegant glassware and cutlery, plus an impressive menu of British dishes with more than a touch of classical French culinary genius thrown in and you’re cooking on gas.
As with The Chequers, the menu offers some British classics such as Fried Haddock triple cooked chips, mushy peas and sauce tartare (£12.50) and Shepherds pie and buttered peas (£12.50), alongside more gastro dishes including Scottish rib-eye steak a la escargot, avec herbs and sauce béarnaise mouselline (£18.50) or Braised Lamb a la Nicoise, jus braise and fresh basil (£13.50).
There’s certainly no lack of appealing options on the menu, but to start I plumped for the Quail’s Eggs A’not with Hollandaise sauce (£7.95), which arrived elegantly presented, with 5 perfectly cooked quails eggs sat on mushroom puree bed on a wafer biscuit, smothered in buttery Hollandaise. Delicious.
As a huge fan of both belly pork and cider, I couldn’t resist the Cider braised belly pork, pays d’auge with fricassee of butter beans (£13.50). Again the presentation was pleasing, with a neat square of pork crossed with two thin shards of crackling, dressed in a creamy cider sauce, butter beans and caramelised apple. Just one forkful in and a big smile crept across my face, as the sweet creamy cider sauce, succulent pork and the saltiness of the crackling came together in moment on heaven. The pork was happiness on a plate and one of the most satisfying pub meals I’ve had.
Then came the Box Tree Soufflé of Raspberries (£5.50) for dessert, which was the largest soufflé I’ve experienced. A little showmanship from the waitress, who pushed the raspberry resting on the top to the bottom of the dish with a spoon handle, creating a chamber through which she could pour a small jug of raspberry sauce.
The soufflé was incredibly light, delivering a delightful punch of tangy raspberry which left me feeling as though I were living in a raspberry cloud. Whilst absolutely delicious, I did find myself struggling towards the end, ultimately to be defeated by the lightest of desserts.
The service throughout my meal was impeccable, the Argentinean Merlot delicious and the food first rate – happy days.
Summary
Lessons learned at The Chequers have clearly been put into effect at The Kings Arms, with everything coming together to deliver a faultless experience. The food isn’t trying to be too clever, instead the kitchen has focused on delivering classical flavour combinations and dishes which most people will find hard not to adore.
As with The Chequers, the prices are extremely reasonable considering the standard of the cuisine, ingredients and service; not once do you find yourself paying over the odds just because of the famous name above the door.
More restaurant than pub it isn’t really suitable for younger children but for anyone else, who enjoys fine dining in a relaxed environment, The Kings Arms deserves a place on your ‘Go To List’.
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Comments
Agree on the high quality of the food but the place is not an experience-too many tables crammed in everywhere,no bar and nowhere to sit pre or post dinner.No draught lager as ' marco does not like it' and only good if you want in and out as quickly as you can
After our first disappointing visit we decided to give it another go.Sadly we left disappointed again.The service, while friendly enough, is unprofessional. The toilets are a let down and don't fit in with what tries to be a fine dining pub/restaurant, no hand towels, plumbing not working and cheep supermarket soap. The food sadly misses the mark as well. The bread was bought in and not great, the ham was delicious but celeriac remoulade under-seasoned and presentation was an after thought. The slow roasted pork belly was ok, but the beans over cooked. We ordered 2 sides one of buttered peas which came out shrivelled and dry and sadly the "triple cooked" chips tasted like reheated frozen chips. And the final let down was the box tree raspberry soufflé, which was the only highlight from our first visit, had apparently sold out even though it was not busy. The expectation of the restaurant, given it is under M.P.W's name is high but we felt it didn't live up to those expectations, a complaint which was being echoed loudly by other customers on both occasions.
It seems consistency could be an issue here - sounds like you had a shocker!
It's a sad day when you can't even rely on brand Pierre White for a good meal.
Where else to you eat that you'd recommend?
Best
Steve
So delighted when MPW opened just down the hill from us at The Kings Arms. First trip was a birthday lunch. Really disappointing but the pate and fishcakes were good. The rest was very mediocre , even the good old fish and chips. The service was poor and we didnt really need to know that they had burnt the toast so the pate came very late. Table by the door was not great . Gave a second chance and we bought again a table for 5. We recommended the fiashcakes and pate to guests. Sadly the fishcakes were totally different and very poor quality. Service was a little better 2nd time. Sorry Marco but now we have given up and will use the othere restaurants in the area that are much superior. So So disappointed as we thoroughly expected a really good addition to restaurants in the area. I live nearby so see that your car park is still filling regularly. I wander how long this will last? How long can you live off the name? Please please do better
This used to be such a fabulous pub, superb food and fabulous value for money, with a lovely atmoshere and nothing too much trouble from landlord and lady. Now its all gone, replaced by a gastropub, serving average (at best) grossly overpriced food) and the booze costs are stupid, you can't have a pint of lager or a pint of giness (Oh we don't do that sort of thing here sir !!!!) and the tables are swished in to get as many poor souls in as you can. The menu is poor, the prices high and the overall atmosphere nil. Oh what a shame and a waste, no doyubtr the chinless wonders who don't know better darling will loooove it with all its pretence, but never ever again for the party of 6 of us that went, dreadfull truly dreadful, do NOT waste your money unless you like to
I agree 100% with the above comments ;
Overpriced
Food Average at best
Service way OTT - almost to cover up lack of quality
Limited / Poor Menu
Cramped tables - too many too close
Grossly overrated Gastropub
Best given a wide berth - very very wide berth
Why do people hold MPW in such high regard ?
Been to this changed Kingsarms, and its just average
Basically style over substance, and the style is none too great
average food, small menu, expensive, overrated, too many tables
and poncy, other than that its brilliant. Better places by far around for less
I can't believe what I'm reading! My experience is entirely different. We travel all over the country in our line of business and have experienced the highs and lows of the country gastro pub offering - the Kings Arms completely bowled us over. The service was genuine - we felt relaxed the moment we were welcomed in through the door. The warmth of the fires and the low ceilings and the layout of the tables added to the charm and created a buzz - and the price of the food was a complete surprise - where else can you experience this quality of food - we both had two courses and a lovely bottle of house red and the bill was just over £40 Mr MPW himself even made an appearance, head down and shot straight through to the kitchen - but his presence is felt in the decor and offering - we have sent friends and relatives there and will make a beeline for this delightful pub next time we're in the area.
Our first experience of a marco Pierre White restaurant was with a nights stay at the Kings Arms Inn. We just could not believe the quality of food and level of service for what we paid. We were so impressed that the next night on one of our rare visits to london we could not, on passing L'Escargot in Greek st, resist going in for a meal, also outstanding food and service, and quite extraordinary value from the kitchen of someone of Marco Pierre Whites standing.
Not so great Valentine's night. Food and service was good, place was packed - an hour after getting home my wife had severe stomach problems, dizziness and I was physically sick. Could have been a big but hardly likely. I went to see the people at Wheelers the following day and they were 1) sympathetic 2) nonplussed and 3) offered nothing in return. I don't make a habit of grumbling very often but if I had been them I would have offered something - money back, a free meal, anything. I live 200 yards away and in this area words travels. What's more I left a scarf there and that wasn't to be seen. Not sure ... you?
Re the above. My scarf has been found. We have been graciously been offered a free meal should we want to have one. It has been handled very professionally and also delightfully by Patricia.
I regret writing the above but that's how it was or so we think because we can't imagine another reason. But, forget that, the way it has now been dealt with is truly professional.
My wife & I visited the Kings Arms afer hearing that MPW had put his name to it.
The venue:
We were both slightly dissapointed by the fact there was no decent size bar. It did seem a little crammed but also gave it a nice cosy feel added by the open fire & low beamed ceilings.
The fresh white look in the back restaurant was a contrast to the dark oldy feel in the front.
The toilets were okay clean tidy, however two types of normal household pump handsoap seemed to show a lack of attention to detail, & the lock catches in the female toilets were not working. 8/10
The Service:
The service was very good, all staff were very pleasant, polite & attentive. 10/10
The Food:
Presentation was probably lacking attention to detail. I had the potted duck which was delicious but i was served in a plain white pot on a plain white plate with two Doylees & 4 slices of rough cut toast, zero garnish, doylees a tad 1980's & it wasn't melba toast, just toast. 8/10
My wife had the Fresh Prawn Cocktail, which apparently was okay but we both agreed that they were probably shrimps not Prawns & very likely to be frozen & not fresh. 7/10
Main Course I had The Roasted Poussin, Fantastic in ever way. 10/10
My wife had the Roast beef, very nice 9/10
We both enjoyed the Cheese board for dessert, however we felt that a chutney would be nice. Presntation was a little shabby, however this is a pub & not a Fine Dining Experience. 8/10
Value for money, most definately £21.95 for 3 courses.
A few things to work on considering its headed by MPW, ive experienced better. The Hawkly in Liss.
Awfull - Trully awful,
Awfull - Trully awful, cramped tables poor quality food and snotty staff
Had big arguement, basically got nowhere, paid and left, for gods sake people
there are places out their to beat this hands down, its poor from start to finish unless
you like pomp and ponceyness coupled with poor to average food
I kid you not
God I wish I had found this
God I wish I had found this site and feedback before I went to MPW new abortion
As others have said - dire and poor
I double hacked off now !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
T
fancied calves liver,prefer
fancied calves liver,prefer it thick cut,"sorry pre-cut and thin" okay have the lamb,came out in-edible,over cooked,tough awfull,sent it back,(no apology from anyone)back to calves liver,thin rubbery edges poor all round,should have gone to the Duke up the road.