Lunch in Devon (with child)

[erica graham]

I'm looking for somewhere to eat midweek lunch in Devon, that will accept a 5 year old. No go at Gidleigh, or 22 mill street, and I think Agaric is closed last 2 weeks in August. Needs to be a grown up restaurant, as my little one thinks going out to lunch is the best treat ever, and her fave food is Turbot!

So, any ideas?

[Andy Lynes]

How about Elephant in Torquay, home of Simon Hulstone aka eGullet's "ginger chef." The boy can cook and they are open for lunch.

[Marco_Polo]

Hi Erica

Michael Caines at the Royal Clarence, Exeter, is very child friendly. Our children are a somewhat older but they've been going there for years and absolutely love it. Michael himself has a 1 year old and believes very much that young children should be made to feel part of the dining experience. In the lastest issue of the Caines Correspondent Michael writes:

"I love to see well-behaved children in my restaurants. It’s a real pleasure to see young people appreciate and enjoy the pleasures of food. In my view, children should never be excluded from the dining room. Just as it’s our job to make adults feel comfortable and welcome, so should children be made to feel a part of the dining experience. And if children are treated with respect, they usually respond and behave accordingly."

In fact, under fives eat for free.

Where else? A few nights ago, I took my 12 year old daughter to a wonderful place in Exeter called Al Farib, a Moroccan restaurant where we sat on cushions and enjoyed a great array of Arab and Middle Eastern mezze, mainly finger foods that we enjoyed while sipping fresh mint tea The groups around us were mainly smoking sheeshas so there was a lot of hubble and bubble, but not too smokey, very pleasant atmosphere altogether - and most unusual for Exeter!

A couple of good 'gastro-pub' type places that would be fine with children are the Jack-in-the-Green in Rockbeare (old A30 Honiton Road) and the Puffing Billy in Exton. You would also be fine, I'm sure, in the Petite Maison in Topsham, a small but excellent little restaurant that has won awards. Doug and Liz are very friendly people indeed, and Doug is a good chef using mainly local produce and ingredients. Cafe Paradiso in the Hotel Barcelona of Exeter is quite funky and upbeat, with a wood-fired oven for the cooking of fish and meats in addition to pretty good pizza.

Hope this is some help.

Marc

[erica graham]

Hi Erica

Michael Caines at the Royal Clarence, Exeter, is very child friendly.

Thank you!

I used to work at the Clarence, so although I know my daughter would enjoy it (the more upmarket the better in her opinion), it would be a bit of a busman's holiday for me!!

I do agree with his attitude to children though. We've taken my daughter with us, wherever allowed, since she was 2 weeks old, and we are fortunate because she expects a meal to last at least 2 hours! That said, I have seem some terrible behaviour (kids and parents) when we are out, so I understand when restaurants feel they can't accept them.

I'll look ino your suggestion of Petit Maison in Topsham though, as we are staying in Shillingford St George outside of Exeter, so can get there easily enough. Do they have a website?And we will definately try Al Farib, as my daughter loved the Lebanese Al Shami in Oxford, meze food is good for trying new flavours! Don't think I'll let her try the hubbble bubble just yet!

[fisherman]

i'll second the elephant in torquay, had a fantastic lunch there a few months ago, will be a priority to return there next time i'm in the area

[Marco_Polo]

I'll look ino your suggestion of Petit Maison in Topsham though, as we are staying in Shillingford St George outside of Exeter...

Petite Maison web site.

In Shillingford St George, don't miss a visit to the Boyce's Fruit Farm (and Manstree Vineyard). Sensational pick-your-own soft fruits and some very good English wines.

M

[erica graham]

In Shillingford St George, don't miss a visit to the Boyce's Fruit Farm (and Manstree Vineyard). Sensational pick-your-own soft fruits and some very good English wines.

We are in the house next to them, over looking all the terraces!!

Spooky!!

[ginger chef]

you guys make me blush

new menu started this week.

[erica graham]

So can I bring my 5 year old??

[ginger chef]

course we do grilled or poached

[fisherman]

i'd go for grilled anyday

[Andy Lynes]

Poche grille and get the best of both worlds.

[erica graham]

Actually, she would much rather be confit!!

We'll probably see you week after next!