Gidleigh Park,Chagford,Devon,UK

[drron]

We now try and incorporate a stay at a boutique hotel with a well respected restaurant on one night of our trips.For this trip it was Gidleigh Park.The restaurant reviews are a little mixed as about a year ago their chef retired-he apparently was a classic French cuisine chef.The new fellow is of a more modern school and not everyone enjoys that.
First it is difficult to get to on one lane roads through Dartmoor.However the hotel website gives very good directions and warns you not to use your GPS as it will usually direct you to the town of Gidleigh.Yet some TA reviewers still complain how it was difficult to find using their GPS.We were lucky driving in only meeting one car coming the other way getting there and a clear run when leaving.The road though is visually pleasant for any passengers.When you arrive the place looks magnificent-

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Greeted as we pulled up and luggage taken.Car was parked for us.We had arrived a little early so after being shown around we had cappuccinos on the terrace-12 GBP for the 2.Then shown to our room.First the Reception area and sitting room-

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Then our room with a great bed,bath and huge separate shower-

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And a fantastic view from the room-

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Next-the meal.

 

[drron]

We had booked a long way ahead and did respect the dress code which is smart casual with a jacket for the men.Coming off the cruise I had a selection of bow ties available so wore one.We were then shown to the table in the area of the bay window with the best views.There were 2 choices for dinner-a 10 course option for 138 GBP or a 7 course option for 115 GBP.We chose the 10 course option.Wines were expensive.fortunately a Sancerre was one of the cheapest.
You start with what is a large amuse bouche with a bowl of marinated salmon and sea bass with 3 accompanying crisps with different toppings.The fish was great.

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Even the bread came presented well.A freshly baked sourdough loaf-

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The first course was titled sea bass.with river oyster,yuzu and shiso.We loved it-

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Now reading before we came some of the menus I thought that some dishes were just trying too hard to be clever.The second course titled Ricotta sounded like one such dish.it came with celeriac,nasturtium leaves,watercress,fresh ricotta lighly smoked and hen of the woods.However it really worked and both thought it the dish of the night.Wonderful combination of tastes.

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Umami.Pipers farm chicken cooked in master stock,garlic pannacotta,frozen lovage,chicken skin crackers.Another dish that ticked all the boxes.we both loved it.

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Hare.Best end and loin of Yorkshire moors hare,poached duck liver,young parsnip,kohlrabi cannelloni and baked chocolate.Rare hare is not either of our favourite.The rest of the ingredients were very nice though.

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Sole.Cornish sole,cauliflower,charcoal emulsion,scallops and Iberico lardo.Sole is a little bland and taste wise the charcoal emulsion does nothing.The scallop covered with the Iberico lardo though was heavenly.

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For main course there was a choice of Trout or beef.Mrsdrron had the beef.Aged local beef,braised onion,parsley,Dorset snails,baked parmesan,black garlic.This was very nice with the surprise being the snails-basically minced and combined with other ingredients and wonderful.The beef was quite rare which is OK for us though some may not like that.

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I had the trout.Cured sea trout,liquorice scented salsify,beetroot,cuttlefish,chard,scallop taramasalata.I relly liked it.

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To be continued.

 

[drron]

Savoury.Brillat-Savarin,truffle,beurre noisette and sesame,pine nuts and Dartmoor ale.A dish I felt was a little too clever and the tastes weren't to Mrsdrron's liking.

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Sweetcorn.Sweetcorn from our garden,Manuka honey,buttermilk,popcorn,blackberry.Again sweetcorn is sweetcorn.Didn't do anything for the dish for us but the accompaniments were very good.

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Strawberry.Gariguette strawberries,sorbet and jelly,basil seeds,caramelised white chocolate,set custard.Again the basil seeds did nothing for this dish other than to add another colour in the presentation.

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Hazelnut.Praline parfait,caramel,bitter chocolate,frozen yoghurt.A nice end for me but Mrsdrron doesn't like hazelnuts.

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And to finish some more chocolate with coffee.

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Despite some of my comments we loved the meal-I was really nit picking>However it was to rate the experiences we had at the Samling in the Lakes district-1 Michelin star,Manoir Interscaldes in Holland-3 stars and Gidleigh Park-2 stars.For value they were in that order.The best food was the Manoir.But we are both glad we have experienced all of them.They each cost us ~ $A1400 but that was 2 nights and dinners at the Samling and 1 at Gidleigh Park and the Manoir.

One area where Gidleigh Park was clearly superior were the walks around the Property.Spectacular so I will leave you with a few pics-

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[puppysparkes]

Stunning food and location!