The Carpenters Arms - Hambleton

Fantastic location, friendly helpful staff, zero complaints in that respect. We went for a Mothers Day dinner, I had booked a few weeks ago and was really excited about eating there. After eating there I left very disappointed, the options were basically some form of Sunday Dinner (run out of chicken) or fish and chips. I ordered the beef Sunday dinner, the meat was grissly, stringy and mostly fat. Singular carrot! Bland veg, overdone Yorkshire pudding. For a moment I could have been in a Wetherspoons. Wife’s dinner had advertised items missing from the plate, also given a soup spoon with desert. We were both really looking forward to this evening but left £60 lighter for a below average dining experience in all honesty, the table was also that sticky I had to use my knapkin to prevent my arms sticking to the table. Oh and the music, very 1970’s adult movie. Best part of the experience was the drive to and from a lovely village. Based on that experience I wouldn’t eat there again I’m afraid.

For a while we have visited the Carpenters Arms approximately once a year with various friends for a pleasant meal. 2023 marked our 50th wedding anniversary, and circumstances meant that we were destined to to celebrate the day alone, so we decided to have a two night stay in Felixkirk. We made it clear when booking over the phone that our second night, Friday 29th December, would be our actual golden wedding day, and that while we did not want champagne or a special cake, we would like some flowers on the table, and were assured that this would be the case. Now the room (number 10 inside) was fine, there were no towels but they were brought up as soon as we asked. Two surprises at breakfast, a cafetière of coffee, sugar on the table, but no teaspoons, although the waitress brought them when reminded. Toast was brought but no butter, and the waitress seemed surprised when we asked for some. I didn't think too much of it, but the second morning it was the same with a different waitress, we needed to ask for teaspoons and butter! When we came down to the restaurant for our actual golden wedding evening meal the waitress said that she would have liked to given us a window table but we would have to sit at one in the centre of the dining area. However for the entire duration of our meal there were two window tables set and vacant, what was that about? Despite our request when booking there were no flowers or decorations of any sort on the table. When I asked the chap who seemed to be in charge he said that they were unaware of our request and unable to do anything. Now I do not mean to give too negative an impression. Since our previous visit the focus has shifted. This was now a village pub, the bar crowded with locals and their dogs, plus a menu and service to match, and at that level it worked fine, and I would have written a positive review. Its just not what we were anticipating. Places change, I should have checked first that it was still up to a special celebratory meal.

The Carpenters had a great attempt at providing a Xmas Lunch that was only let down by the skills in the Kitchen and a lack of organisation. Those on the second sitting had to stand waiting for the tables to be ready due too all available seating taken up by youngsters drinking at the bar in preference to diners paying £120 a head. Canapes and starters were excellent and I'm sure the main course also would have been when it was cooked several hours earlier and then suitably dry, covered overdone vegetables including a lonely 2 Brussell sprouts. We would have loved wine but by the time the main course appeared it was too late. The staff were excellent and made up for what was a memorable meal for the wrong reasons.

We were a 'walk in ' so we were so pleased to be shown to a table as the restaurant was very busy. The staff were incredibly friendly, the food was fantastic just faultless. We both had the steak pie which was the best we have ever had. I had creamy mash with mine and my husband had fries. I finished with a lovely flat white coffee in fact I would love to know what coffee they use it was just the best. The coffee was a perfect flat white, some people don 't have a clue how to prepare one. My husband had a Affogato which he said was amazing including the taste of the espresso so they obviously use a good coffee bean supplier. A great meal and we hope to go back in the new year and stay at what looks like superior accommodation with lovely views over the Vale of Mowbray.

Excellent food in a great atmosphere with friendly and attentive staff. Love eating here and will definitely be back soon. Great to see food served some of which is grown in their own gardens.