The Masons Arms Upmarket pub grub at its best!
Living in Telford most of my life I was unaware of a little gem located just outside Shifnal and a stone throw from Halesfield – The Masons Arms at Kemberton.
It was Good Friday; the sun is shining, and we decided it was only right to find a beer garden for a drink and have something good to eat. With my husband working on Halesfield he was more than aware of the Masons Arms and that it has recently been put in the hands of a new manager - Debbie and her team, so that was our choice of venue!
As soon as you pull into the carpark you are just taken back by the views right across the fields of Shropshire, what a wonderful place. Several seating areas are scattered around the outside, It’s just so pretty and welcoming. As we entered the welcoming feeling just got better, comfy leather sofas, high tables, a beautiful restaurant and even a light and airy conservatory area. Wooden beams everywhere, such a rustic feel with a large fireplace in the heart of the restaurant, I really couldn’t believe I hadn’t been here before.
After enjoying a drink in the beautiful beer garden, we decided we would move inside for our meal. As Debbie handed us the menus, she was excited to tell us about a new menu that is coming soon with some wonderful changes. There is going to be a ‘Nibble & Natter’ section for those to enjoy at the bar, sharers, salads and sizzlers, seasonal specials, a large vegan and vegetarian selection and of course the Masons favourites. A cocktail menu and liquid puds are also going to part of the exciting changes, it sounds fantastic and got us already planning a second visit!
Looking through the current menu we were both quite quick to choose two very traditional starters, pate and prawn cocktail. Arriving as generous portions and presented beautifully we soon got stuck in. My pate was clearly homemade and was creamy but had a nice texture to it too, it was superb especially with the apple and ale chutney. There was plenty of warm crusty toast and fresh salad, a great starter. Paul was chuffed with his prawn cocktail especially as it was traditional with crunchy salad and the softest bread and butter. Two faultless starters, fresh and delicious.
Mains was a little more of a tricky decision, Paul toyed between the homemade chicken curry and the hunter’s chicken whilst I was stuck between fish and chips, pie of the day (chicken, leek and gammon) or the stilton burger. The waiter informed Paul that the curry did have quite a kick to it, so decision made for him being a spice lover and I eventually opted for the pie with an addition of stilton sauce.
Arriving looking fantastic and very plentiful Paul's curry was served in a proper curry bowl and was very authentic for a ‘pub curry’. Paul described it as very warming, nicely spiced with tasty chunks of quality chicken. The rice was fluffy, and the chutney was delicious, he thoroughly enjoyed every mouthful commenting it was as good as a curry house.
My pie was incredible, crumbly and crunchy shortcrust pastry packed with chunks of chicken, gammon and leek, fantastically seasoned and smothered in gravy, the seasoning almost gave it a stuffing taste. The stilton sauce was the perfect addition, adding a cheesy depth of flavour. However, the star of the show had to be the ultimate ‘proper’ chips, I had looked on the Masons Arms website prior to visiting and noticed the pictures of the chips, adamant I’d be trying them and I can honestly say they exceeded my expectations, just delicious, I only wish I knew how they got them to be so good!
Two fantastic mains, clearly all fresh and home-cooked and very upmarket, superb quality pub grub! So, it was on to desserts, we vowed to share one until we heard the choices! Homemade crumble of the day which happened to be apple and cinnamon was Paul's choice and cheesecake of the day that was cream egg had to be mine. Wow, this was proper cheesecake and out of this world, a crunchy base topped with whipped cheesecake packed with chunks of cream egg, I was in heaven, an incredible dessert. Paul's crumble was equally as good and very different to your standard crumble, chunks of cooked fruit that was simply delicious topped with a crumble and a pot of custard. The crumble was amazing, crunchy but will almost a marshmallow inner to it giving it a chew, hard to describe but delicious to eat!
After eating three fantastic courses I really couldn’t believe I hadn’t been here before, but I will certainly be coming again, and I highly recommend it to all and can’t wait to see the changes they are making to the menu very soon. Ensure you pay the Masons Arms a visit this summer for fantastic food, views and atmosphere!
The Masons Arms
Hall Lane
Shifnal
TF11 9LQ
Tel: 01952 684019
www.themasonsarmskemberton.com
F: The Masons Arms Kemberton
