Tavistock Dining and Drinking
Tavistock Restaurants Offer Food, Local Color and Characters
Nov 28, 2007
If it isn’t eccentric, it isn’t England. And if it isn’t entertaining, it isn’t Tavistock, Devon. That goes double for some of the market town’s best eating and drinking establishments.
Browns Hotel is not only a 2006 Hotel of the Year: it is the oldest licensed eating and drinking establishment in town. The building was constructed in the 17th century on the site of an even older inn. Even now, its restaurant derives its delicious drinking water from a spring dug on the site during Roman times, before 138 C.E.
Local food, local character
Browns Restaurant is at the forefront of the 'local food' movement. Browns’ chef has a wide variety of ingredients close at hand, from local produce to local lamb raised on nearby Dartmoor. The service is impeccable, and the entertainment is first rate.
What entertainment? The sort of entertainment one couldn't pay for. One evening, an elderly gentleman in his jammies and dressing gown strolled into the restaurant, looking—somewhat confusedly—for someone to turn a light off that was shining into his bedroom. Staff handled him gently, but gingerly, accommodating his nocturnal (although it was only abut 9 p.m.) wanderings without discomfiting those dining. Browns Hotel, 80 West Street, Tavistock. Telephone: 01822 618686.
Yanks invade British restaurant scene
Steps Restaurant, just up the street from Browns, is a rather new restaurant, founded by a lady from New Jersey who sounds exactly like the natives of Devon. Her menu is substantial British fare, well cooked, and served often by the lady, Nancy, herself. The dining rooms are furnished in British traditional. The two alcoves in the rear dining room are exquisite. Cozy and very British, this American-founded restaurant is a ‘comfort place’ for Yanks, a homey, easy meal out for locals. Find Steps (there are many steps leading up from the street) at 75 West St, Tavistock. Telephone: 01822 614280.
Your own British "Local"
The Ordulph Arms is a meeting place for aging Boomers, Yuppies, Gen Xers, and just about everyone else. Always pleasant, now that smoking has been banned in British bars, it’s sublime. Its owner, the affable Andy, caters to all the crowds successfully, stocking old-fashioned tipples (gin, Scotch) and new ‘designer’ drinks in bottles for the newest and youngest patrons. No absentee owner, Andy still tends the busy bar. But look for the man and his dog, both drinking although only one reads the paper at the same time. If you fancy a clean, friendly, and totally British “local,” try the Ordulph Arms. Kilworthy Hill, Tavistock, PL19 0AW. Telephone: 01822 615048
Dartmoor dining and drinking
Finally, the Peter Tavy Inn is not in Tavistock, but rather a short drive out of town in Peter Tavy village, West Dartmoor. If its obvious age didn’t get you—it was built in the 15th Century, you would know you were in rural Britain by the view. But you will know you are in rural Britain; you’ll probably have to stop the car to let a gaggle of geese pass on the lane that leads to the Inn. Once there, though, you can soothe your rattled nerves with one of the seven real ales or 30 malt whiskies kept on-hand. And, of course, you can dine, inside in the warm, half-timbered dining room during cold weather, or outside in the beer garden when it’s fine. To find it, find the town of Peter Tavy and you can’t miss it. However, because of its extreme age and fine menu—not to mention all those excellent potables—call first for a reservation (or as they say over there, to book a table): 01822-810348.
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