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Forest Inn, Hexworthy
Centre of the Moor map ref:655 726 13th
April Tel 01364 631211
website
That cheeky face behind the pint,
(which by the way wasn't his).... belongs to Finlay and I have to tell you
that he is an excellent serviette folder.
We landed up at the Forest Inn simply because The Two Bridges Hotel was
full. I had nagged Rob into driving over the Moor to the Two
Bridges, because last year we had the Jazz lunches at the hotel on our
What's On page, and I thought that we should check it out. The
weather was showery and the drive over to the hotel was chilly, no signs
of Spring let alone Summer, so I thought that we wouldn't have too much
trouble getting in, as we were only a party of two. But when we arrived at
the reception desk and asked if they might fit us in, the receptionist
took great delight, with a big fat smile, in telling us that - No, she
couldn't take us as they were full. To make things worse, she exchanged a
conspiratorial smile with a guy in front of her who was obviously a diner
before sweetly adding... "Actually we've been fully booked since Thursday"
Huge smile again. No apology, no suggestion that we might like to book for
next week perhaps, to be assured of a place. Just a big fat
satisfied smile - that I would so much like to have slapped off her
face....... Back into the car we head off towards
Dartmeet where I know there are 2 tearooms. Whizzing past
Pixieland I get Rob to stop, as I
want to have a look in and say hello, as they are listed on our website...
Keith the guy who runs it suggests that we go to The Forest Inn for lunch
and after taking a few new pictures for our what to see page, we backtrack
a short way and take the Hexworthy turn... Just right really because
several people have suggested the Forest to me, and I didn't realise we
had been so close....... anyway...
We walk in and despite the place looking full to the gunnels, and every
table taken, the chap behind the bar assures us that he will find us
somewhere, and in the meantime, what would we like to drink ? Oh a
gin and tonic ? Might I like to try the local blend.... ? I ask if he
means Plymouth Gin? Yes he does, and yes I do please. I spot
Finlay at the end of the bar, and the barman makes apologies for the lad.
His Mum is busy serving, and Finlay is about to have his lunch too.
In the meantime, the boy is dispatched to fold serviettes and he settles
down without a
murmer, happy to help out. In no time at all we are
seated and orders for 2 roast lamb dinners are on their way. When
the plates arrive, I am pleased to see the tail end of the joint sitting
in what is quite obviously real gravy made from the meat juices... the
vegetables arrive, also hot, and happily the brocolli passes the test
because it still has some crunch left in it. I get the feeling that
were I to ask for an extra roast potato, I would get one - no probs.
Food on the blackboard ranges from 5 starters £4 for cauliflower soup,
£5.50 four other choices, 2 of them
vegetarian, and then 17 choices
for mains, including 2 vegetarian dishes, the ploughman's is £5.50 and
everything else is £8 (Jerk chicken leg and salad) up to £12.50 for a 10oz
rump steak. The roast lamb is £9. There are at least 6 members of
staff in and out of the dining room, they constantly scan the room,
ensuring that everyone is tended to. There are some older diners,
obviously regulars, in the front part of the building, and one of the
waitresses addresses them like old friends. Another table full of family
members is in the back area, a collection of old and young. The staff wait
on without any fuss, and nothing is too much trouble. Have a look at
the pictures of the door into the kitchen. It's constantly swinging. And
we are asked by at least 4 of the waiting staff "is everything alright" I
ask the young waiter if I might have a sharper knife
and he brings me a steak knife with apologies. It is so obvious that
they want you to enjoy your visit. Rob's steamed pudding with
custard
was £4. I had a spoonful and it was delicious. It's a great
pub that appeals to all sorts and all ages. We spotted walkers, cyclists
and motorbikers.
Grannies, Mums, teenagers and tots. There is a large outdoor area at
the back with tables on staging and as the sun comes out, some braver
souls nip out to take their meal in the fresh air. I'd like to bet that it
is packed with customers in the Summer months. ..
..and rightly so, this pub is well worth a trek out... Hexworthy
Bridge at the bottom of the hill is very picturesque...
The bill came to under £30 for 2 roast dinners one pudding and a round of
drinks. |