Review
Wildflower Restaurant, Moorland Garden Hotel

You will find the Moorland Garden Hotel located on the edge of Dartmoor, a short distance from Plymouth and Tavistock. While it’s well known as a wedding venue, it also boasts the AA Rosette-awarded Wildflower Restaurant. The menu offers a great range of British classic dishes showcasing local produce. There is also a choice of dining experience: the formal main restaurant with views overlooking the lawns, or the more relaxed Dartmoor Bar.

My dining companion and I had a table in the Wildflower Restaurant with views of the terrace and the moorland gardens. There was a varied choice of dishes and, to be honest, they were all tempting. I chose mussels to start, which were beautifully cooked in a cream and white wine sauce. I used the fresh homemade bread to mop up the last bits of the sauce. My friend’s wild mushrooms with a creamy spinach sauce came with brioche toast which gave it a sweet and enjoyable texture.

The slow-roasted ox cheek I had for my main was exceptionally flavoursome and fell apart into its bed of mash. My friend chose the lamb rump, which was cooked perfectly pink and very tender, and served with creamy dauphinoise potatoes. We shared a side of fresh, seasonal vegetables, which was plenty for us, as we had already glimpsed at the dessert menu and didn’t wish to be too full! A glass of Malbec was a good recommendation by our waiter, which we sipped throughout the meal.

With room for dessert, I tucked into a warming stem ginger pudding, while my companion chose the spiced autumn pie. These proper homemade ‘comfort’ puddings came served with ice cream and clotted cream – a perfect marriage of flavour and texture. They really hit the spot!