June/July Highlights

We like to pack lots of content into our highlights for you to nibble on and as it is, we have quite the feast for you to munch through in this post. Whilst our inconsistent, weird weather seems to vary between baking hot, baking hot & humid or freezing cold, what has been consistent is the high high standards our dining scene in Devon always achieves

Be it indie or chain, there are a heap of dedicated, passionate people making the dining experience in our gorgeous green county second to none. So grab yourself a cocktail, or a beer, or a hot warming drink and let us take you on a dining journey with the latest instalment of our (sort of) Monthly Highlights.

As ever if we had been invited by the restaurant or, if a visit was part of a PR invite, it will be made as obvious as we can.

Pho Restaurant launch, Plymouth

Chris took a little trip down to the Royal William Yard in Plymouth for an #invited visit Pho and the newest addition to their growing family of venues. For us, a visit to Plymouth is a novelty, especially on a weeknight.

There is ample parking located in and around the dockyard, disabled badge holders are exempt from charges, a short walk and you’re within easy reach of the restaurant. After the meal we explored the surrounding area – there are many restaurants and bars in the immediate vicinity, and some really lovely vantage points for sunset photos.

Their Ca-ri Soup is a new favourite of ours which Tori was eager to have. “…Ca-ri Noodle Soups – the delicious marriage of our classic Vietnamese curry & a bowl of noodle soup. Topped with a handful of fresh herb salad & slices of red chilli, it’s just the curry soupy wonderfulness you need…”

Their menu uses fresh ingredients – it really has a distinct flavourful wholesomeness to it which really makes Pho an outlier. If you’re on a budget, you could score two mains and drinks for about £30 if not less depending on what you had, it truly is excellent value. We are regular visitors to Pho in Exeter because the food is fresh and cheap as well as the attentive, friendly service which was repeated on our visit to Plymouth.

The restaurant is open every day, 12 midday to 10pm. Follow on Facebook and Instagram

The View, Sandy Park

We were #invited to visit The View Restaurant, on the eighth floor of The Courtyard at Sandy Park – the new Marriott hotel which sits next to the M5, just before the Sandygate junction, (or just after depending on which direction you’re coming from) ia much more more than just a showcase of flavourful and locally sourced cuisine.

The View, is literally just that, with a 360 degree view across the surrounding countryside, it has an incredible panorama looking across into East Devon and down the Estuary to Exmouth. When we visited, there was good visibility, on the horizon we could see the tower of Exmouth church shimmering in the distance.

For those who simply love sunsets, the bar has amazing views towards Haldon and the east, but don’t think for a moment that the food is second place.

Head Chef Richard Hunt and his team have created an exciting and flavourful dining experience, with a menu that uses producers from a 12 mile radius, – it’s a showcase for some of the finest local producers, not just in the kitchen but behind the bar too. We were treated to cocktails expertly made by Will who was guided by our likes and preferences, asking lots of questions to establish a flavour profile

We were looked after with attentive, friendly service by Millie and Max who made us feel utterly at home and looked after throughout the evening.

Catch the full review on the blog soon! Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Darts Farm: The Farm Table Restaurant and Terrace Bar

Lauren was #invited to the launch party of Darts Farm’s new Farm Table Restaurant and upstairs Terrace Bar. A project delivered at the hands of one of the Dart children no less, a 24 year old ambitious son with a vision.

She tried fish, meat and veg all cooked on the fire and incredible pizzas from the woodfired oven. Local drinks and produce to taste and the terrace bar has fantastic views across to Topsham. It officially opened to the public on the 15th July, and you can book a table online!

Brunch at The Botanist, Exeter

Known for its imaginative creations, the venue has developed six classic brunch dishes with an innovative (and very Instagrammable) twist. Chris & Tori were #invited along to sample some of their brunch dishes,

The options include Ham Hock or Smoked Trout Eggs Benedict served with herby heritage slaw, Buttermilk Fried Chicken Waffle with maple sriracha, coleslaw and watermelon and Smashed Avocado on Toast with crumbled goat cheese and turmeric boiled egg.

Vegan options on the menu are Bircher Museli with almond and coconut milk-soaked oats, topped with blueberry lavender jam, fresh fruit, papaya & buckwheat granola, toasted coconut and cacao nibs or Smashed Avocado on Toast with crumbled vegan feta.

I couldn’t decide so went for the Brunch Twist, which includes a little bit of everything, such as Cumberland sausage, maple bacon, eggs benedict, papaya and buckwheat granola, bircher muesli and fresh fruit.

The Brunch Twist is an incredibly unique breakfast dish with a distinct savoury element, followed by the sweetness of the oats/fruit/muesli. If this doesn’t get your day to a good start, get back to bed!!

Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Lucianos Summer Tasting Event

Princesshay is home to many of Exeter’s favourite restaurants, including Luciano’s, serving modern British-Italian food with an emphasis on quality and seasonality. Head Chef Luciano Pierre White opened this restaurant in 2021, and ever since it’s established itself as a firm favourite in the minds of Exeter’s diners.

Dining Devon was invited [PR Invite] along to the Summer Tasting event, where a group of lucky ducks got to sample some of the flavourful additions to the menu, including Beetroot, Goat’s Cheese and Candied Walnuts Starter, Cornish Crab Linguini, Truffle Chicken Milanese mains and many more.

A big thanks to One Voice and GM Kez who were super welcoming. It was a really enjoyable evening with fab company and some flavourful, gorgeous foods. The Fettucine with Grated Truffles is something I shall be returning for…

Follow on Facebook & Instagram

Exe Restaurant launch, Exeter

At the Exe Restaurant Chris and Luke, the owners, have created a special place where local ingredients are paramount, even in the cocktails. This independent fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar opened in the vacant space left by Margoux as they went up to Princesshay.

We were invited along to the launch evening, where we scoffed some samples of the flavourful exciting menu and fell in love with the cocktails. Although our stay was brief we met Luke and sampled some of the gorgeous food on offer as well as the ultimate cheese board with lots of Sharpham Cheese, it was a delighful event where we go to chill in their back garden space and took lots of selfies in front of the sparkly feature wall.

For those of you who are driving there are mocktails, made freshly with high quality local ingredients which were as nice and exciting as their alcoholic counterparts.

Thank you to Exe Restaurant and Nikki for inviting us along. Here is hoping that diners of Exeter take to their fresh surroundings, and provenance focused menu.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram

Wabi Sabi Bay, Exeter

Lauren recently visited Wabi Sabi Bay, for her write ups in The Exeter Magazine. They offer a great mix of pan asian cuisine for both meat eaters and vegans. A lovely outside alfresco area for people watching with quayside vibes, and indoors has a cool and funky wood, faux flowers, and umbrellas decor going on. Serving large dishes as well as tasty small plates, the stand out was the unctuous karaage sticky chicken satay – it’s a tasty place to visit! Read more on page 41 of The Exeter Magazine here.

Follow on Facebook and Instagram