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Jill Pendleton at Castle Drogo Devon"Hi, I'm Jill Pendleton,
I've run this website for 12 years. I'm passionate about Dartmoor, and I want you to find the best places to stay when you visit." Jill's Blog

Dartmoor Devon B&B Hotels Self-catering Camping & Youth Hostels and camping barns

Dartmoor & Devon Food Reviews 2009 +2008 reviews

Baxter the new puppy at the Victoria Inn Ashburton receiving lots of attention from the pub customerspete waiting to start his curry at the Victoria Inn Ashburton Devoncurry night at the Victoria Inn Ashburton DevonWednesday 16th December The first of the frosts arrive - no problem, the Victoria Inn has a real fire. Read my review

Sauteed scallops at the horn of Plenty hotel in Devondining room at the Horn Of Plenty at Lewdown in Devon
Wednesday 18th November. Wet roads and cold weather, but a warm welcome at The Horn of Plenty Read my review.

sign for muddy boots at The Cleave Inn in Lustleigh, Devonthe new dining room at The Cleave Inn in Lustleigh, Devon
Sunday November the 1st Mr and Mrs. Teague's 59th wedding anniversary outing to The Cleave at Lustleigh. Read on

Sandy park Inn near to Chagford, curry night, DevonSandy park Inn near to Chagford, curry night, DevonSandy park Inn near to Chagford, curry night, Devon

It was the first of what will become regular curry nights at the Sandy Park Inn on Thursday 22nd October, so....Read on

Brownes at Tavistock in Devonbrasserie blackboard at Brown's in Tavistock, Devonlunch at Brown's in Tavistock, Dartmoor, Devon
9th of September 2009 Brown's Hotel was Rob's suggestion for lunch whilst out in Tavistock recently.....Read on

mike enjoying curry at The Tradesmans Arms, Devonrob at The Tradesmans Arms, Devonchicken lunch at the Tradesmans Arms, Scorriton, Devon
August 26th Mike and Rob, two happy diners at The Tradesmans Arms. So glad we made it at last. Read my review.

Child in Chair at Castle Drogo, DevonLunch at Castle Drogo, DevonReception at Castle Drogo, DevonJuly 14th Castle Drogo's reception has been undergoing a makeover for the best part of the Winter. Read my review
June 2nd The Abbey Inn at Buckfastleigh. Telephone 01364 642343
abbey_inn, Devonriverside_terrace, Devon
What a fantastic setting for a pub. Possibly the most pleasant place I know on the River Dart to sit and enjoy a meal.
But, slightly disappointing..... were the sandwiches on offer..... Read the full food review.

June 12th The Tavistock Inn at Poundsgate. Telephone 01364 631251
Tavistock Inn_ Poundsgate , Devontavistock_inn_cat, Devontavistock_inn_elizabeth, DevonElizabeth was home for a few days, so took her off over the Moor to check out ....Read my Tavistock Inn food review.

Wine Rack at Cafe 14, Devon No.14 cafe in Ashburton, DevonCafe 14, Ashburton, food, Devon
Mid May We called in late lunchtime to Ashburton. See the food review on Cafe 14 in the High Street

March 2009 The Ring O' Bells, Chagford. Telephone 01647 432466
The Ring o' Bells_food, DevonThe Ring o' Bells_food, Devon
 We called in one Saturday to have lunch at... Read the food review of The Ring o' Bells
Mid May The Dartmoor Tearooms in Moretonhampstead. Telephone 01647 441116
Inside the Tearooms, DevonDartmoor Tearooms, food, DevonInside the Tearooms, Devon
 Foodies know this. This is one of the best tearooms on the Moor. Read the food review on Dartmoor Tearooms

March 1st 2009 The Cleave Inn at Lustleigh. Telephone 01647 277223
The Cleave Inn at Lustleigh, DevonThe Cleave Inn at Lustleigh, food, DevonThe Cleave Inn at Lustleigh, food, Devon
This food review has now been updated. See the new entry for October 1st - above.

25th February 2009 The Buller's Arms, Chagford. Telphone 01647 432348
Inside The Bullers Arms, Chagford, DevonInside The Bullers Arms, Chagford, DevonThe Bullers Arms, Chagford, food, Devon
By contrast to the trip to Gidleigh Park, we nipped into the Buller's Arms ..read the food review
23rd February '09 Gidleigh Park Hotel, near to Chagford. Telephone 01647 432367 website

Gidleigh_Park_Hotel, DevonInside the Gidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, DevonGidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, food, Devon

February 23rd saw us treating ourselves with pals George and Linda to the Winter Lunch Offer at Gidleigh Park Hotel
If you are a serious foodie, and you are taking a holiday in Devon, you absolutely must visit this utterly fabulous
World renowned hotel just a short drive out of Chagford. As you can see, the food is stunning. Everything tasted good.
Between courses we were treated to the tiniest of coffee cups of mushroom soup and it was pure bliss.
Essence of mushroom to write home about. I opted for Terrine of winter vegetables with truffle vinaigrette
and hazelnuts to start, followed by local pork fillet (which I know to come from Devon Rose Butchers - organic
and Devon based) with butternut squash, smoked paprika and winter savoury.
Pudding for me was a hot pistachio souffle with pistachio ice cream.To be honest, I didn't like the little
flakes of nut in the souffle but the flavour was good, and hey, I couldn't get a souffle to rise, to order
if my life depended on it. So who am I to pass comment ? Just look at Rob's dessert. See the coiled spring made
from spun sugar ? How clever is that ? Placed at the side of caramel and cardamom parfait - milk chocolate
mousse with nougatine and cardomom foam. How will I ever get him to look at my apple crumble ever again ?
The whole experience of eating at Gidleigh Park is pure treatsville for me.  I love the quality furnishings,
I feel pampered by the attentive staff. The food is to die for and if I had my way I would be taken there
every week and never tire of any of it. The bill - typed, came to £193.25 including drinks, coffees plus petit
fours, and extra bottle of sparkling water.
£20 tip. I think we might go again before the offer finishes..

Gidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, food, DevonGidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, food, DevonGidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, food, DevonGidleigh Park Hotel, Chagford, food, Devon

26th January 2009 Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, Padstow Telphone 01841 532700

Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, CornwallRick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, Padstow, Cornwallfruits de mer at Rick Steins in Padstow
What a brilliant start to a year of food reviews.... Monday 26th of January saw us booked in for lunch at Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant in Padstow. Now I know that the first thing you will say is 'Well that's not Dartmoor!' but
less than an hour's drive from here and WELL WORTH THE EFFORT just for the thrill of going there..... Fish at it's best. High class dining room, friendly waiting on staff including the wine waiter, despite us not even ordering a bottle....
You might like to know that the small 'Fruits de Mer' above costs just £22 and is the perfect for 2 lunch guests.
The couple tucking into it with relish told me that it usually takes them 40 minutes from start to finish. I wish
puddings at Rick Steins in padstowI could be a member or that happy club of regular customers. We were lucky to catch a special charity lunch that was on offer, 3 courses at £20 per head £2.50 of which went to a children's charity. Sadly the 'Fruits de Mer' was not included, but what we did have was great. Lobster Bisque 10/10, plaice with superb vegetables, and a very good lemon tart for dessert.
The ambiance, the keen staff, great food and even the posh toilets are worth the journey.
The bill came to around £108 for 4 of us including pre meal drinks and soft drinks. TIP 1 Park
in the Park and Ride and catch the short bus journey into town as parking is nigh on impossible.
TIP 2 Get to Padstow early enough to have coffee in the Rick Stein Cafe, stroll around the shops on the seafront for an hour or so before you head off for the restaurant. TIP 3 The Camel Trail footpath is between Padstow and Wadebridge on the way back. Check the map and find a mid- way point to take some exercise in this superb riverside walking area.  Bike hire are available.