Plymouth Food

Added 2 yearss ago

Plymouth and the surrounding Devon countryside has an abundance of fresh local ingredients on offer, whether these are the home cultivated vegetables and eggs sitting by the side of a Devon country lane beside an “honesty box” or wild foraged sweet chestnuts and mushrooms sitting in an autumnal risotto at a Plymouth restaurant following a glass of apple champagne from one of the local wine producers.

November in Devon sees Boringdon Hall celebrating a month of food and what better way to celebrate all the wonderful seasonal food on offer than a cosy evening snuggled up in the sumptuous Tudor surrounds of Boringdon Hall.

The Gallery restaurant overlooks the Great Hall in Boringdon and the menu reflects The Chef at Boringdon's commitment to meeting the needs of our discerning diners. What better way to begin your journey into the world of Devon food than a relaxed evening meal and a fine wine without having to walk more than 100 yards from your beautiful Elizabethan room?

It is our pleasure to greet you the next day with a leisurely breakfast which may be served to your room if you choose. We know that our four poster bed engenders a desire to linger and if you enjoy a scan of your favourite newspaper over breakfast then just let us know and it will be delivered with your choice of contemporary or traditional breakfast.

Many of our food loving guests visit Plymouth during their stay with us as it has an abundance of wonderful places to lunch and you will find some suggestions recommended below. We think the newest of these would be of interest to a dedicated enjoyer of slow food and would certainly suggest that you refresh yourself whilst exploring our fabulous seafaring city with a wee visit to the brand new Plymouth based River Cottage Deli & Canteen. For serious foodies sustainability and access to the freshest organic ingredients is a must. The River Cottage ethos reflects this and the Boringdon Hall kitchen duly recommends in accord with our own love for Devon’s finest ingredients.

We also think the location will be of interest as it is the former victualling depot of the Royal Navy and was built between 1826 and 1835 and is grade 1 listed just as Boringdon Hall is.

If you are a really keen cook yourself with a passion for foraging you might want to take your trip into local food a step further and participate in a day with Robin Harford a well respected expert in wild foraging.

Robin is a friendly 47-year-old local food expert, from Sidmouth and he has passed on his wild food expertise to gourmet Michelin star chefs, Army Special Forces and many locals and visitors with an interest in learning to forage.

According to Robin, foraging is like an outdoor sport and the part he plays is that of a detective trying to identify which wild plants are safe to eat. The next challenge is how to turn it into a tasty dish.

"I'm a big foodie fan, but I don't call myself a cook or a chef," explained Robin. "It just comes out of direct experience of using edible plants.

"We have lost a huge amount of knowledge of our food history and how we used to eat and the plants we used to eat. Foraging is becoming more popular again because people have seen it on Channel 4's River Cottage.

"Foraging is about self-reliance, not self-sufficiency. I use it every day in my cooking and it makes up about 50 per cent of what I eat. I have not bought greens since February. It can be used in many dishes such as soups, pates, risottos, salads, pesto’s, stews and casseroles. It's also good for tapas.

To find out more and check for availability with Robin check the following website. www.foragingcourses.com

The following restaurants are recommended for lunches in and around Plymouth. The team at Boringdon Hall hope you enjoy your journey into Plymouth dining and that deciding where to eat in Plymouth is a truly enjoyable adventure into the best that our beautiful county has to offer.

For a hearty Sunday Lunch try the Gallery Restaurant at Boringdon Hall Hotel.

If you fancy exploring the local area, try The London Inn in Horrabridge - Dartmoor beef, Dartmoor Pork, Dartmoor flavour.
This is a cracking local village pub just a short drive from Plymouth. Fresh and local ingredients are used throughout and though it is a bistro style menu the ingredients are honest and hearty. Favourites include Duroc Pork Belly & The Dartmoor Beef, Tribute ale and kidney pie. A superb Sunday Roast every weekend makes it worth the trip.
23 Station Road, Horrabridge, Plymouth Tel: 01822 853567

For a Contemporary modern lunch in the heart of The Barbican try Tanners Barbican Kitchen and Plymouth Gin Refectory.
The Barbican Kitchen and The Refectory within Blackfriars Distillery combine two of Plymouths best known brands. Housed in the centuries old building on the Barbican, the home of Plymouth Gin since 1793, you can enjoy the contemporary informality of the Tanners Brothers latest creation and fantastic food following a cheeky and expertly blended cocktail in The Refectory courtesy of Plymouth Gins stylish cocktail lounge. The vibe here is one of modern style with friendly staff.
Black Friars Distillery, 60 Southside Street, Plymouth