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22 Mill Street, Chagford Tel 01647
432244
website
It's not easy taking over the reins of
an already successful restaurant, but Phil Biggin and Helena King, the new
owners at 22 Mill Street in
Chagford have pulled it off with flair. It being our wedding anniversary
on Remembrance Sunday, we booked for lunch to give it the once over ...
Arriving a few minutes early we were greeted by Martin the ever smiling
young enthusiastic manager. Coats taken we were invited up to the
colourful contemporary (that's the buzz word at the moment) lounge for pre
dinner drinks and a look at the menu. That in itself is a relaxing
place to be, and within a short time of our orders being taken we were
invited down to take our places in the restaurant proper.
I can remember this place from way back in 1984 when it was in those days
a tea-room run along very meagre lines. These days it has a
warm glow about the place with modern art on the walls. When I had
popped in earlier to say hello, I did mention to Martin that I would
not like to sit eating my meal beneath the painting to the left of the
fireplace. It is of a lady with, shall we say 'open legs'
Fortunately for Martin,
he had placed us in the window and we spent a very happy hour waving to
friends and acquaintances passing by. I commented to him that the
napkins were in an attractive fold that I did not know and before we knew
it he gave us a demonstration in the art of linen folding.
I know, I know....the food...I'm getting there...
My choice of 'Seared Falmouth Bay Scallops with Crisp Belly Pork, Roasted
Russet and Vanilla Puree' starter (their capital letters not mine)
was absolutely yummy, Rob and June both enjoyed the Artichoke Soup.
We opted for a jolly good bottle of house red which I think cost
around £17. For mains I opted for yet more pork in the form of '
Roasted Fillet and Crisp Belly of Pork with Sage and Grain Mustard' and it
was excellent, the selection of seasonal vegetables were fine, I think
that the red cabbage had been cooked in wine, I was surprised that the
butternut squash had not been peeled prior to cooking and I have to say
that it is annoying to have to repeatedly dispose of bits of unchewable skin.
The roast potatoes got an 8 out of ten. Rob had chosen
Sea Bream and pronounced it cooked to perfection. What he thought
at first to be endive hidden beneath the fish, turned out to be baby gems
cooked with girolles. How nice to be having something a bit special.
The deserts were a huge success, see pics ..... my absolute passion is for
ice cream so I was happy to receive 3 different
scoopfuls of good home made ice cream to finish off what was one of the
best meals we have eaten out this year.
It's the first time we have encountered pea tendrils. I can remember
years ago when we took my Mum out to a posh restaurant in Stoke, and
she got all excited about knowing what the then new to Britain, avocado
pears where all about when she spotted them on the menu.
The waiter came up and Mum, in what she thought to be a top-drawer voice
glanced up at the waiter and told him that she would have
the "ava car peardos please" The waiter didn't blink, but my
Dad collapsed laughing, and they have been know as ava car peardos in the
family ever since. There's no pretence at grandeur here
at 22 Mill Street, but John Hooker the new chef in residence can be
justifiably proud of what he produces. It's colourful,
appealing, tasty and the best upmarket food the town has on offer.
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