Home-cooked traditional dishes

All the food at the Kings Arms Portesham is home-cooked by professional chefs on the premises and we do try to source all our ingredients locally. We serve traditional home-cooked food, including a number of tasty vegetarian dishes and we are always available for special requests. Our main aim is to offer good food and good value, and we are already building a great reputation for food in the local area.

On joining the team at the Kings Arms Portesham, renowned chef Garry Parkinson brought with him his passion for good food. Garry obtained his City & Guilds from Weymouth College under the supervision of Laurie Mills, an acclaimed chef and lecturer.

After qualifying, Garry went to London where he was employed at the Dome Chelsea and it was here that he gained skills for producing multi-national food. Garry then became Head Chef at the Oyster Farm Seafood Restaurant, where he met with much acclaim, turning the establishment from bar to restaurant status. The restaurant was entered into the Which Good Food Guide and also recommended by Rick Stein.

Now as Head Chef at the Kings Arms Portesham, Garry is introducing exciting new dishes to our menu. He also has certification from the Educational Trust in Wines and Spirits, so he is more than competent in selecting fine wines to complement any of your dishes.

We serve food every day lunchtime and evening and all day, from noon till 9pm, throughout the summer months. Please see our food serving times for current details.

Garry has devised our delicious new Winter menus. All of which are now on the blackboards as we endeavour to bring you a daily changing menu, but please take a look at our Sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes we have on offer.

We have lots of different light bites available, which may include crusty baguettes with a variety of fillings, such as smoked salmon and prawn or cheese and pickle, as well as our very popular Dorset Ploughman's. We use all those lovely Dorset cheeses for example:

• Dorset Blue Vinney
• Dorset Drum
• Dorset Brie

as well as a delicious Dorset pâté. All of which go down really well with a real ale chutney.

The Kings Arms main courses include home-cooked favourites, such as Locally Made Oven Roasted Pork Sausages on a Bed of Mashed Potatoes, Caramelised Onions & Red Wine Jus and Fresh Beer Battered Cod & Chips, alongside vegetarian options like Butternut Squash Stuffed with Cannellini Beans Tomato Garlic & Herb Crust. Also proving very popular is the Kings Arms Homemade Pie of the Day, with traditional fillings such as:

• Chicken and mushroom in a white wine and cream sauce
• Steak and kidney
• Steak and Guinness

Then to finish, keep your eyes peeled for truly delicious desserts from Chris our patisserie chef. These may include Crème Brûlée, Sticky Toffee Pudding and an Assortment of Gâteaux.

Between them Garry and Chris are conjuring up all sorts of wonderful tastes and please remember if you have a request for something which is not on the menu our chefs will try their hardest to accommodate you - just ask!!!

On Sundays we serve traditional roasts and a vegetarian option. We always have a selection of meats, so one week we might serve lamb, beef & chicken, and another lamb, beef and pork. Whatever your choice, we are sure you will enjoy a relaxing Sunday Lunch at the Kings Arms.

We have a huge pretty garden with 30 tables and a barbecue area. A perfect place to sit and relax while your barbecue is cooked for you. We offer all the usual traditional barbecue food, including burgers, sausages, hot dogs and chicken. Weather permitting, we barbecue on Bank Holidays and throughout the summer holidays.

Then there are the Kings Arms theme nights for a great get together and fun-packed night. These are centred around speciality food, but have included karaoke and a disco. We have had Oriental, Indian, Italian and even an Allo Allo night! Please see our Events page for details.

If you would like to celebrate your special occasion at the Kings Arms, we have a separate dining area with a large family table, which seats 12. We can also cater for small functions upto about 22. Please contact us for details and to discuss your individual requirements.