Top Foodie Experiences in Devon

Two top foodie experiences in Devon, plus a couple of localsrsquo tips and the chance to win your very own foodie holiday.



London, Paris, New YorkhellipDevon Why not The term foodie has become part of our modern vernacular, and while we all love a good chow down, for some people food goes beyond fuel and enters the realm of high art. But theres no need to get too carried away, and in the lovely British county of Devon you can enjoy a genuine foodie experience without wearing a cravat and carrying a Michelin Starometer ndash although it might come in handy
Farm Fresh and Fabulous
For a genuine organic, paddocktoplate experience, the Riverford Field Kitchen, in Buckfastleigh, serves up the epitome of hearty, regional cuisine. Their ethos insists on only the best seasonal produce plucked from their own farm, alongside local organic meat, poultry and seafood.
More an experience than simply a meal, youll dine at long wooden benches, sharing with other diners and making for a highly convivial atmosphere.
Theres only one sitting of service for lunch or supper, with the whole restaurant served at the same time. Youll start with a salad using seasonal ingredients like broad beans, samphire, and cucumber with piccalilli dressing, or griddled nectarine, salami and ricotta salad. The main course is a meat dish like stuffed shoulder of pork or braised beef blade, and some innovative vegetable sides, including hispi, garlic and artichokes, or beetroot and pink peppercorn gratin. Leave room for pudding though, as youre all invited in to the kitchen to choose from such mouthwatering offerings as gooseberry and elderflower fool and poached rhubarb pavlova.
The Riverford Field Kitchen is open every day for lunch and supper 12.00pm and 7.00pm respectively. Book ahead and arrive early
Contemporary Coastal Cuisine
Ok, maybe you can drag out that Michelin StaroMeter after all but theres actually no need for airs and graces at The Elephant, in the coastal resort town of Torquay, because you can choose to dine downstairs in the relaxed brasserie, or tuck in your shirt and head upstairs to The Room.
Priding himself on sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients many from their own farm, in the brasserie, chef and proprietor Simon Hulstone serves up dishes showcasing the best of South West Devon on plate, such as Brixham crab on toast with salsa verde and soft boiled Clarence Court bantam egg, followed by breast of crediton duck with celeriac pure, fondant potato and cavolo nero, and finishing off with prune and Armagnac ice cream.
Upstairs in the The Room, the Michelinstarred tasting menu is a parade of exquisite dishes almost too beautiful to eat but not quite, including things like Orkney scallop accompanied by lardo iberico, parsnip and verjus Southdown Farm lamb croquette with thyme and onion fondant and summer berries with Somerset brandy sabayon and lovage ice cream.
With views over the lovely Torbay Harbour, The Elephant Restaurant is at 3 4 Beacon Terrace, Torquay.
Casual Classics
Any foodie article on Devon would be remiss if it didnt offer a couple of locals tips on two of the most iconic dishes of all. So here goes.
Rockfish, in Dartmouth, serves up sustainable seafood caught in the waters off the south coast of Britain with 30 different catches landed daily, live music, and what could be the best seafood offer in the world Fish Friday 3 takeaway. Is this the best fish and chips in the county We wouldnt argue with a local
Come to Devon and not have a Devonshire Tea Unheard of The battle for the best is ongoing, but the Georgian Tea Room, in Topsham a village outside Exeter filled with antique shops and tea rooms, is definitely a contender, and its backed up by a Top Ten rating. They bake their scones onpremises every day, and serve them up with homemade jam, farmfresh clotted cream cream on first please, and Twinings Traditional Tea. Could Heaven actually be in Devon
If all this talk of Devons gastronomic delights is giving you ideas, why not enter the Arundell Arms competition to win one of their Delicious Devon experiences. Youll be in the draw to win an overnight bed and breakfast stay for two in beautiful Dartmoor, including a 5course Taste of the West tasting menu in their awardwinning restaurant.
If youre lucky enough to win, why not get some use out of your annual travel insurance and make a week of it exploring the fabulous foodie trail of Devon Your taste buds will thank you although your trousers may not...

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