Review
Lewtrenchard Manor

A wonderfully warm welcome awaits when you step through the doors at Lewtrenchard Manor. This family-run hotel and restaurant is on the edge of Dartmoor, a short drive from Okehampton. The magnificent building dates back to the 1600s. By day, you can walk around the beautiful grounds and walled garden. By night, enjoy its charm, and sink into the comfy sofas by the log fire before heading to dinner.

The menu features produce freshly picked every morning from the vegetable patch, and Head Chef David Brown creates fabulous plates of food packed with flavour, using as much local and seasonal produce as possible.

Dinner is always a treat here, and this visit matched previous ones. While we sat perusing the menu in the lounge with a glass of our favourite aperitif, we were treated to an appetiser of pea velouté and Parmesan pastries before being shown to our table. The beautiful, charming restaurant has dark wooden panels, framed portraits, soft lighting and linen tablecloths. The quiet chatter of other diners creates a wonderful atmosphere.

We nibbled on homemade sourdough with wild garlic butter before our dinner arrived. I chose a salmon starter, which was brought together with flavours from beetroot, dill and lemon. My husband chose the venison tartare, and described it as “delicate and delicious.”

I decided to keep it fishy, and my pollock main course was a delightful dish of succulent fish, encased in a crisp skin, with a rich bisque sauce. I loved the pickled fennel and the crunchy croquette potato. Andrew had the duck which was cooked blush pink. Robust flavours from the dish’s puy lentils were cut through with zingy poached pink rhubarb.

The desserts were divine. My white chocolate and raspberry tart had paper-thin pastry, and came bursting with raspberries and a velvety filling that wasn’t overly sweet. As a panacotta fan, Andrew noted that his dish was particularly light with fresh, pleasant textures and flavours – he spooned out every last creamy mouthful.

The excellent food and friendly staff make dining at Lewtrenchard Manor a most welcoming, relaxing experience.