We decided to visit The Kingham Plough after a recommendation in The Times.

We visited on 11th October 2008. It is set in a picturesque Cotswolds village and initially has the ambience of a characterful “pub”. My parther was put off by a female chef smoking in the public garden on our arrival. I did not share this opinion, but perhaps it was an example of the lack of standards we were to experience.

Dining is subjective, so I will stick to facts:
The waitress brought the starters and presented me with something I had not ordered. She was not prepared the replace both first couses so I could have the dish I ordered & eat with my companion. Therefore, I accepted the soup, which was clearly influenced by 1980s Greek style cooking, in that is was barely warm. Good job I had not deliberated longer.
Influenced by the review we both ordered Steak & Chips for Main course. One was to be rare, the other medium/rare. The waiter appeared and asked us who had ordered the rare version (it was me). He then proceeded to present us with our plates. On cutting into the meat it was evident that we were given the wrong plates. We swapped. My meat was inconsistently cooked (i.e. cooked more on one side than the other). Also, on reflection I realise why, at home, I will cook Scottish fillet as a steak and use the Hereford variety we were served with for fajitas. It comes down the flavour & texture in my opinion.
We excited by the prospect of “triple cooked chips”. I is my view the purpose of multiple cooking is to create a particularly crispy result. These were disappointing in this department.

When I received the bill I had been charged the higher price for the starter I had accepted than the price for the dish I had ordered.
After complaining this was taken off the bill but, as I said to the waitress at the time, I would have preferred to have saved the inordinate amount of time it took to sort out and actually paid the extra to leave.

Whilst I accept that anyone can have an “off night”… More