Lincolnshire Restaurants: The Thorold Arms
If the face of this month’s chef patron rings a bell, that’s because Paul Vidic has a rich history of running successful restaurants in Lincolnshire. Since 2021 he has continued to create first class dishes at The Thorold Arms near Lincoln, this month’s dining out recommendation
The combination would prove instantly popular with diners, with customers travelling from miles around to enjoy Paul’s dishes, founded on classical French chefcraft and blending premium dining with the charming ambience Lisa has given the pretty 19th century building. It’s set in the beautiful conservation village of Harmston, swish, subtly quirky, but determinedly relaxed.
Dining across two rooms, there are roaring fires, fresh flowers, well-thumbed books from the world’s finest chef’s and food writers, aromatic candles, and planters all gracing the space, adding comfort and complimenting the superb dishes for which Paul is renowned. There’s a single menu which is adjusted daily to ensure Paul and his team can make the most of the best ingredients, day-by-day.
Nine starters, 13 main courses and six desserts seems to us to be a sensible number to provide a degree of choice whilst ensuring the kitchen is well-practised in the preparation of each dish. Some of Paul’s dishes are so popular that regular diners would riot if they were absent, these include double baked Poacher cheese soufflé, 12-hour cooked blade of beef, and chef Paul’s caramelised bread and butter pudding.
In the kitchen, Paul works alongside Cameron Ackroyd and another apprentice to ensure the consistency of each dish. Cameron has been with Paul and Lisa for over seven years. Cameron has adopted the skills and methodologies behind Paul’s unique approach to food and the two enjoy a formidable working relationship.
With 55 covers across the bar and restaurant, there’s a good chef-to-diner ratio which ensures plenty of time and effort is invested in every plate.
Local suppliers help to keep quality and consistency high too, for example Owen Taylor is a third-generation butcher, who has been supplying restaurants since 1922.
Fish is sourced from Grimsby and delivered fresh each day, and vegetables are easy to source locally, hence Lincolnshire asparagus on the menu during our visit.
Much of The Thorold Arms’ veg is grown in the fields of the Fens, again where seasonality and quality permits. However, green-fingered Cameron is also turning his own hand to growing organic fruit, herbs and vegetables on the restaurant’s allotment, making a sustainable, field-to-fork contribution to The Thorold Arms’ menus and adopting a micro-seasonal approach to creating food.
Meanwhile, Paul works with Brewster’s Brewery of Grantham to source guest ales from local microbreweries, although his stalwart ale of choice remains Timothy Taylor’s, not just because of its reputation, but because like the ale, Paul was born and raised in Keighley, West Yorkshire.
Locals and destination diners know Paul is bona fide wine buff. With his 50 bins of wine, Paul’s exceptionally well-curated wine list, and a special selection list also on offer, the prices range from £25 to £250 so there is something for everyone and every occasion.
If you’re really pushing the boat out, there’s the chef’s private cellar, with some really special bottles for those with a keen interest in oenology… or just for connoisseurs.
Whatever glass you raise, though, you’re in for a treat. This is a chef with great reputation in a restaurant serving exceptional dishes in a location that’s terrifically welcoming… one that we can highly recommend!
The Thorold Arms, Harmston, Lincoln, LN5 9SN. Call 01522 722788 or see www.thoroldarmsharmston.co.uk.
Read more about the Thorold Arms in our July edition, online now at https://issuu.com/pridemagazines/docs/lincolnshire_pride_july_2025