The King's Head

17th February 2011 - The King’s Head, High Street, Holt.

If you are looking for a typical old style pub with bare boards and bar billiards/pool here it is in Holt.   However, unlike most traditional pubs this King’s Head has an interesting menu and obviously prides itself on well-cooked food.   The decor is traditional and even includes the World War II poster “Your Courage, Your Enthusiasm, Your Resolution will see us through” and, perhaps incongruously in the context of the general decor, includes multi-screen Sky Sports provision.   It has various bars in which to eat including a conservatory (which was closed for refurbishment) and, judging by the various activities provided, encourages an all-age clientele.   So it proved as we enjoyed our meal in the company of a sprinkling of teenagers through to grey-haired oldies.

The friendly young bar man made us very welcome, recommended various beers to drink and gave us the printed menu and directed us to the specials on the blackboard.  We ordered a pint of Adnam’s bitter and a half of xxxx and, after considerable thought due to the comprehensiveness of the menu, Gill a veggie (sic) lasagne. with KH chips and salad (KH = Kings Head, which were the fat ones with their skins still on) and I had baked hake with bacon, carrots and peas and xxxx potatoes.

The wait was just about long enough to show the meals had been properly prepared and not frozen.    We enjoyed our meals.   Mine initially looked on the frugal side but in fact proved quite adequate.   Gill had too much so unloaded her onion, coleslaw and a chip.   Again we had to ask for water.   When will British establishments realise that water is as necessary to a meal as condiments and knives and forks. 

The meal, including drinks, was fair value at £25

Rating 16/20

Jambo's

10th February 2011 - Jambo’s Cafe, Appleyard, Off the High Street, Holt.

Continuing our tour of Holt’s eating places in an anti-clockwise direction we lunched at Jambo’s.   A cosy and unpretentious looking cafe/restaurant having a rather glitzy decor with bright green tables and chairs.   It had six tables, three in cosy alcoves and an upstairs and we chose the only alcove available.   It had musak which you could hardly hear.   The establishment proved to be quite busy with several people coming while we lunched, with two groups going upstairs and two individuals asking for a sandwich to take away.   It had a wide and varied menu with six additional specials.

The service was quick, taking our orders for drinks and our meal straight away.   I ordered a Fitou which came in the smallest wine glass I have seen and Gill just had water.  Gill had a nicely presented cheese and tomato quiche with jacket potato and salad.   I ordered beef casserole with dumpling , potato, swede/carrot, beans and cabbage which was really hot and an excellent meal.   We had to ask for water which was very necessary in my case as the casserole was so hot, but just right.

We both enjoyed our meal and thought it was excellent value for money as the bill came to £18.75, including drinks.

Rating 15/20