Little black book Barbara King, managing director of The Shops at Dartington, reveals her favourite foodie haunts
FOR BREAKFAST? The Venus Café at
Blackpool Sands for the glorious view and the ‘full Venus breakfast’ – but get there early on a sunny day, even in winter, to bag a shielded balcony outside table.
FAVOURITE GROCERY SHOP?
It has to be The Food Shop at The Shops at Dartington. Particular favourites are Almond Thief’s sourdough breads, Tom’s Pies butternut squash, mixed bean and cheese pie, Eversfield Organic’s bacon, and organic salad from School Farm. SUNDAY LUNCH? Glazebrook House Hotel. It’s not a traditional Sunday lunch, but with chef Anton’s expertise, everything is delicious. There’s also a comfy bar area to chill out in after.
Quick!
Now add this little lot to your contacts book Venus Café, Blackpool Sands TQ6 0RG; lovingthebeach.co.uk The Food Shop, The Shops at Dartington TQ9 6TQ; dartington.org Glazebrook House, South Brent TQ10 9JE; glazebrookhouse.com The White Hart at Dartington Hall TQ9 6EE; dartington.org Tigermilk, Plymouth PL1 3LG; thedukeofcornwall.co.uk The Seahorse, Dartmouth TQ6 9BH; seahorserestaurant.co.uk The Oyster Shack, Bigbury TQ7 4BE; oystershack.co.uk Curator Café, Totnes TQ9 5DR; italianfoodheroes.com nc@ex34, Woolacombe EX34 7BB; noelcorston.com Millbrook Inn, South Pool TQ7 2RW; millbrookinnsouthpool.co.uk Number 7 Fish Bistro, Torquay TQ1 2BH; no7-fish.com Café Alf Resco, Dartmouth TQ6 9AN; cafealfresco.co.uk Dartington Dairy, Dartington TQ9 6EA; dartingtondairy.com Goierri Foods, Chudleigh; goierrifoods.co.uk Wildwood, Plymouth PL1 3QQ; wildwoodrestaurants.co.uk
QUICK PINT? More like a glass of wine,
drunk at The White Hart at Dartington Hall. I love sitting in what was once a medieval vaulted kitchen. CHEEKY COCKTAIL? Tigermilk at
the Duke of Cornwall in Plymouth – hard to find, and hard to leave. Great, interesting cocktails – the voluptuous G&T is a favourite!
POSH NOSH? Always The Seahorse,
Dartmouth. A friendly, unpretentious restaurant, and a joy to see so much local fish on the menu! I had an aversion to squid until I tried their chilli squid… the rest is history.
FOOD ON THE GO? I prefer to sit down
and enjoy what I am eating, but I have been known to buy a sausage bap from The Venus Cafe takeaway.
ALFRESCO FEASTING? The Oyster
Shack in Bigbury, when it’s not too busy, for very fresh fish.
HIDDEN GEM? Curator Café in Totnes. Upstairs is tiny, but what a taste experience! It is Italian, but no towering
66
mounds of boring spaghetti bolognese here! The food is regional, with interesting things to try. There’s a good wine list, and the team are very friendly and happy to explain the menu. ONE TO WATCH? Well worth a trip to the north Devon coast, the amazing food on offer at nc@ex34 in Woolacombe gets my vote! It’s closed in the depths of winter, so make a booking as soon as it opens again in spring for the taster menu. COMFORT FOOD? Millbrook Inn at South Pool. It’s not everyone’s comfort food, but I love JP’s fish pie when it’s on the menu. His cooking just goes from strength to strength. WITH THE FAMILY? Number 7 Fish
Bistro in Torquay has a great selection of fresh local fish. They have the best oysters I have eaten in a long time, and they are good for small fish dishes.
CHILD FRIENDLY? Café Alf Resco,
Dartmouth. It's busy with a lively atmosphere. Children are welcomed – even if they are a little noisy, and make a mess!
SOMETHING SWEET? It’s a toss-
up between the most delicious pastry triangles called sfogliatella from Okemoor (who supply many restaurants and delis), and the new Dartington Dairy goats’ milk ice cream.
TOP STREET FOOD? Look for Goierri Foods at local food events and markets, and try their Spanish paella with a difference: tasty, hearty, moreish.
PRE-THEATRE FEED? Wildwood in Royal William Yard, Plymouth. It’s a bit of a trek from the Theatre Royal, but the food is tasty, service fast, and it’s located in an old warehouse with great decor. ✱ dartington.org
crumbsmag.com