Granita Granita
Lewtrenchard Manor

Lewtrenchard Manor

Lewdown EX20 4PN, West Devon, United Kingdom

Vegan • Hotels • British • European


"I 've been wanting to have afternoon tea at this lovely-looking manor for years. Finally achieved my goal and went one better by staying overnight. This manor was mentioned in the Domesday Book 1086 AD and was renovated in 1620. It 's been owned by the same family for centuries as they live abroad now, day to day running of the business is done by a local family. The building and grounds are steeped in history and very impressive. We stayed in a kingsize Deluxe room overlooking the front garden. Our room had a huge bed and a very spacious bathroom. It was very clean and nicely decorated. Tea coffee facilities are enhanced by the provision of fresh milk in a flask at least twice daily or on demand. Also, 2 very tasty home-made cookies were supplied. Our part of the manor was accessed by stairs from Reception but there was a stairlift on the opposite staircase for any who need this. Many people come here for the food alone and I can see why. The afternoon tea was extemely generous £25 a head with tea coffee. You choose which room to eat in. There were finger sandwiches egg mayo ham mustard. Smoked salmon cucumber or cream cheese cucumber croissants amazing little homity pies. The large scones were served warm and had very pleasant crunchy crusts. Plenty of jam clotted cream were supplied. Then beautiful passion fruit meringue tarts; pistachio raspberry mousse chocolate coffee gateaux. As we were having an evening meal, we saved the cakes tarts to eat later in our room. We had the 3 course evening meal £65 a head. NB most of the herbs and vegetables used by the chefs have been grown in the manor 's walled kitchen garden. Firstly, we had bread with tomato and beef crunchy onion whipped butters. Our starters were butternut squash risotto and pan-fried chop. Mains were charred, cider-poached beetroot and venison. We shared a dessert due to our afternoon tea leftovers. It was a dish of roasted strawberries, vanilla brulee a honey tuile. All beautifully presented and very tasty. The next morning, the breakfast menu had a good variety of options. Freshly squeezed juices, pastries, cereals fresh fruit were at the buffet but you could also opt for freshly-cooked porridge. I had a full English breakfast without mushrooms while my hubby has smoked haddock with Hollandaise capers. At Reception there is a lot of historical information about the manor and items for sale including jars of very local honey. Massages are offered here too but we did not indulge in any this time. All staff members were very friendly and helpful and we hope to go back soon. Rooms: 5 Service: 5 Location: 5 Hotel highlights: Luxury, Romantic, Quiet"

The Man Behind the Curtain

The Man Behind the Curtain

3rd Floor, Flannels, 68-78 Vicar Ln, Leeds LS1 7JH, United Kingdom

Wine • Fish • Asiatic • British


"now it is not every week we visit a michelin star restaurant, so this was a special event and it lived quite a lot up to the expectations. the man behind the curtain, now in the cellar and not in the top floor, was wonderful. it was a Wednesday night, a table and we were two couples. we are not sure, but possibly a cancellation, as we only booked a few weeks in advance and the place was full. the decor is very much, polished concrete walls with, for me to represent an art deco feel. sofas are rich white leather with felts (fake, obvious) and beautiful chairs. we had a round drink, as the taxi took us there a little early. we have the menu. it is a set cup menu and all tabs have the same. this menu gave a look over the dinge to come, drinks, wee etc. we have selected the standard wine pairing, but not the less that is per head. they said they were going really well. not to take the wee we thought would not have given the overall fantastic experience. each cure was wonderfully described by each cook, beautifully presented on plates, in dressed and in boxes. every wein for the cure was well described by sommelier. it was a fantastic experience with aromen that burst out of every dish and every wein with its unique taste pairing beautiful. Not to disable any cursor, but to call some favorites. tuna nigiri, dali after delhi (roy garn), ajo blanco. (some cold consommé with a lot of garlic), black caesar (pork, ei in black dust). Puddings....Tiramisu and a chocolate grenache. a great experience. we were there, so it was there, and we were the last there. just a few points for me. the tables are quite large and the sommelier and chefs have really not brought me the description of the table with background noises and music on the side. secondly, I felt the last hour or so there was a urgency to move us between curs with shorter times. actually we don't get all the wein from the previous cure as we were served for the next. I would recommend a previous booking. a great night outside and one should experience them definitiw"