Kings Arms Hotel

I'd previously given this venue 5 stars but my latest visit has reduced it drastically and I now wouldn't recommend it. I now rarely get to leave my home but it was my birthday and a friend came to visit in order to take me out and do something special. Due to my trip to this restaurant in August 2020 I was really looking to return. A mistake. Although the servers seemed nice the actual service was appalling. The place was quite empty and there were more than enough staff to see to people. Despite this, in 2 hours we only managed to get served 1 drink each and 1 course. We looked around and there were customers sitting with empty glasses and no prospect of anything more. It had been exhausting ordering the initial drink and course and we hadn't the intestinal fortitude to keep asking and asking again for further service. I had my favourite seafood and though not rancid it was far from fresh or edible. My friend has worked as a professional cook and she was able to define the problem. The bread was as flavourless as possible. The "wine list" was a guy telling you what they had...which was not helpful for someone like myself who cannot remember what they've just been told. I prefer things written out so I can look back and forth and decide. It also meant we had no idea how much we were being charged for the drinks. Why can't a hotel print out some sheets? Final insult came when my course was still charged in the bill. Had to ask for it to be removed. Because it had all taken so long it was too late to order elsewhere. I was hungry - we got a Chinese takeaway. So, a special and very rare night out at the cost of taxis back and forth, one glass of wine each, one edible course and being hungry while tumbleweed drifted through the restaurant and it was extremely hard work just putting in an order, let alone getting an accurate bill. Worst birthday celebration I've ever had. I regret my previous review and will never be going back. Most expensive for nothing and disappointing night out ever. My birthday meal = 1 glass of wine in 2 hours. It would take absolutely nothing to get it right. Can only presume no-one there cares.

Berwick-upon-Tweed is a place of old streets and buildings so accessibility can be difficult if you have mobility problems. Ivy 43 Restaurant is located inside an old hotel, The Kings Arms. It has a blue plaque outside telling you that Dickens once gave a reading there. It's on a very steep hill, so be aware of that if self-propelling a chair or pushing someone, etc - but there are parking spaces directly in front. The front entrance has steep steps but they have made a welcome and comfortable formal entrance for all (not just wheelies) around the side through a large arch. That makes for easy access, and inside there are ramps as well, so I found no problems getting to where I wanted to be. I'm able to walk short distances inefficiently, and there was a same level ladies loo off the restaurant. I'm afraid I didn't take notice of where the mens loos were, or where the wheelchair accessible loo is...so do check that out beforehand if important. The food was extremely tasty. Some very nice flavours. We were there on an "Eat Out To Help Out" evening and there was a special 2 or 3 course menu for those evenings. Initially I found the choices a bit mundane but when our food arrived it was excellent and I'd love to eat it all over again. It was a relaxed atmosphere, staff helpful but not hovering every few minutes. I'm pescatarian (that's no meat, but eat fish and shellfish) and there were choices within my range. The accompanying salad to my main course normally had meat in it and they were happy to put in a substitute. The flavours were still great in the salad and I didn't feel I was eating second best with the substitute. Afterwards we went to their cocktail bar. I had a French Martini - which was yummy - and a glass of prosecco that was well-priced. I'll be returning.