The Mason Arms (South Leigh)

The Mason Arms is simply the best place in the World. There are a lot of things it is not, and all I can say is thank goodness for that. Of all the places you go, the places you eat, the places you enjoy, Gerry Stonhill's is memorable. You will never forget it, and that, whatever the cost, is value. The food is top notch, the company (hosts and guests) inclusive and fascinating. Nowhere I would rather be of an evening or for Sunday lunch. I'll just nip out and get the Lottery Ticket.

JBarryD (Unverified), 05/02/11

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An eccentric bastion of male chauvinism. Crammed with memorabilia of motor racing and cigars, with a smattering of topless ‘birds’ for good measure. One of the cocktails is described as a ‘blouse opener’ (very subtle). No prices anywhere, it is assumed that if you have to ask the price, you can’t afford it. Consequently, it’s a bit of a rip off. We had a very modest snack lunch (for 2) and a couple of drinks which came to nearly 50 quid! A few nuts and a couple of slices of salami we were offered at the bar (we thought as a gesture of hospitality) were slapped on the bill, plus a 10% service charge, whether we liked it or not. The food was good but be prepared to pay through the nose for it. It’s the sort of place you can imagine city bankers blowing their bonuses at. The host, Gerry Stonhill, is obviously a complete maverick. Outwardly charming and suave, but one can imagine that if you get on the wrong side of him, you would be persona non grata for ever (e.g. Michael Winner). I’m sure he doesn’t give a damn about these reviews, as it seems there are enough people with more money than sense to keep him supplied in cigars and fine wine in perpetuity.

Goodallrounder (Unverified), 09/05/10

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This is without doubt the best pub in England. Best cocktails; best wine list; great food; best cigars - and Michael Winner is banned.

Hylton (Unverified), 16/04/10

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Bonkers! This place is wholeheartedy mad. The food is excellent (if you like lots of meat) and the wine list is, appropriately, top notch. Try their dry martinis, £15 a go but well worth it. Not like any I've had before, make sure you look out for the enormous vodka bottle.

Don't come with children/vegetarians/dogs/lesser mortals or anyone who can't hold an interest in aviatic memorabilia for the course of an evening.

Expect not to look at the bill in any serious manner. Money seems to be the mere grease of this particular, and it is - very - particular, machine.

Nice log fire too. Make that fires.

Patrick Vale (DI Reviewer), 06/05/09

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It's a great venue if you like good food, excellent booze and maybe a quality cuban to cap the evening off. Not for the faint-hearted though.

MichaelM (Unverified), 03/07/07

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I can well believe Jason's comments. The first (and last) time I went to the Mason Arms, the food was very, very good, the wine was fabulous and the service teetered on the brink of Fascism. Recommendations from the wine list are one thing - it's quite another thing to refuse to serve a customer the wine of his choice, even if it's red and he's having fish. The waiter also attempted to deny my companion some mayonnaise with his prawns "because my mother was French, and garlic is a religion with us". Fortunately my fellow-diner, despite his gastronomic eccentricities, was an ex-army gentleman and had no trouble getting what he wanted. It meant that the head waiter avoided us for the rest of the evening, but this was rather a relief.

While the food is seriously splendid, the Mason Arms is sadly only worth visiting if you have the kind of temperament to be undisturbed by appalling service. There seems to be an explicit policy of putting off anyone to whom the staff take a dislike. Perhaps it's supposed to be an endearingly courageous antidote to a world of PC quickfix poshness, but personally I find it neither endearing, big, nor clever. Oh, and expect to spend at least £80 per head.

LovePuppet (DI User), 02/07/07

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I can honestly say I have never ever had such an expensive lunch in all my life BUT the service we had, the experience of just being there and the excellence of the food and the ambience of the whole place completely put the £s, shillings and pence out of mind. I cannot stop thinking of what a wonderful time we had - food and wine and everything else was quite beyond comparison. I have completely forgotten how expensive it was and simply cannot wait to come again!! We shall come in a Bristol Beaufighter next time!

Bridget (Unverified), 30/06/07

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I went into this pub/restaurant on a beautiful hot summer's day with some very good friends of mine. We had walked miles to across the sun-scorched fields on our walk to get there. I had seen the pub on a cycle ride as a teenager many years before and made a mental note of how wonderful it looked. On entering the pub, polite customers opened the door for us. This was where the niceties stopped. I stood at the bar and was stared at by the owner and his wife. They proceeded to ignore me for several minutes. There was no-one else waiting to be served. It was nearly laughable and very embarrassing. If I had not have company I would have walked out. We were served in an offhand arrogant manner and then charged an extortionate figure for the drinks, which I foolishly paid. I have never had such appalling service in my life. I was embarrassed by them and so were my friends. The owners clearly didn't want us, three professional people, in their pub. My mistake was probably wearing a denim jacket over my suit.

Jason (Unverified), 02/06/07

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