Dartmoor Devon B&B's, Hotels, Self-catering, Camping & Youth Hostels and Camping Barns

Edgemoor Hotel, Bovey Tracey food review by Jill Pendleton. October 2011

 

Thursday 27th October. A lunchtime treat with pals George and Linda
who run the Dartmoor Tearooms in Moretonhampstead. They have recently closed for the season after a very busy year, and it's time for us all to catch up on some gossip and try out somewhere new to eat. Which is not strictly true in my case as I have eaten at the Edgemoor some years back when I was asked to review it for the Dartmoor Magazine. Driving into the hotel grounds it all looks much the same, and as we haven't booked a table, I ask the
smiling face at reception if it's ok for us to eat at the bar? Fine, no problem. But the room behind reception no longer sports a bar of any sort and we soon discover that it is now housed in what used to be a large guest lounge. I approve.

A room not unlike a light and spacious club lounge. We plump for a table near to the window, the better for me

to take photos. Our waitress is a charming lady (not the lady in the photo below, who was also very pleasant) who apologies to George that the Dortmunder Pils needs some attention, saying that she can only produce
threequarters of a full glass. She will, she promises let him have a top up as soon as possible.
This she soon did with a goodly generous amount. Marks for that !

We quickly settle in, the fire quickly has a match put to it, and we soon have menus and notes on the daily specials.

And here I will make the only slightly negative comment. The menu is a weighty tome with a wooden spine full of pretentious comments about the food such as 'hand rolled butter' and all choices are talked up in an overly
elaborate way which we all thought came across as rather desperate. Sorry Edgemoor, just an opinion.

 

Because the food was very impressive indeed ! And spoke for itself. Here is my goujon choice.

 

And the batter is so wonderfully light and crisp that I am giving you a close up on that !
Perfectly cooked white fish inside and light as a feather with top quality chips.

 

George chose the plaice. He being a chef himself is very fussy .... but he only left a cartoon fishbone on the plate.

 

Linda went for the sea food platter. She too is very selective about food and she gave her fish platter the thumbs up.

 

Rob chose the sea bass, which meant that we had all chosen fish. Everything went down a treat,
and look how swish a simple lemon half can be made to look !! Clever.

 

Me being an ice cream fan, I couldn't resist the home made scoops on offer which were all lovely.

 

Rob treated himself to a portion of treacle tart topped with pecans. Plus local clotted cream. Thumbs up there too.

 

Whilst we were eating a young family came in with their pet labrador. Dogs are welcome to stay at the hotel. They all settled in front of
the fire, Dad with his nose in the daily papers and children choosing, then patiently waiting for lunch. The little girl wanted to order ice
cream as soon as she spotted mine coming over. They were obviously hotel guests thoroughly enjoying a half term break.
Just down the road from Haytor Rocks, and the whole of Dartmoor,
this is a perfect place to call in for a cream tea when you have been
out for a good walk on the tors and it would be one of my top
recommends when I am asked (and I often am)
"Where can we go that's nice for a birthday party for my Mum ?

The hotel will be holding a New Year's Eve Party with either dinner and music at £39.50 per person or music plus bacon rolls option at 9p.m. (£15pp) Well worth consideration I think.... It is always nice to be part
of a party at the turn of the year isn't it ? And I'm sure that the hotel
would be a good place to be. You could even stay overnight .....

Our lunch bill for 4 came to £92.70 including drinks and coffee.   Telephone 01626 832466    Visit the Hotel website

Home Page. Back to the Food Review Page. Back to the afternoon tea on Dartmoor page.

Back to the top of this page       Devon Holidays on Dartmoor

All photos and content by Jill Pendleton copyright © 1998 - 2012