Devon


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1500" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52960" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-2-1100x1100.jpg 1100w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://themillroom.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mill Room</a> is the new fine dining restaurant at Furzeleigh Mill, a former 16th century mill and now a boutique hotel under new ownership since 2018 by Tessa and Geoff Sellick. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52965" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-3-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The entire hotel was sympathetically refurbed throughout during lockdown with 10 en-suite bedrooms all individually decorated and named for Dartmoor towns, so you really might want to book in for a stop-over. </p>



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<p>Next to the restaurant is a cosy bar for pres with a wood-burner, where you choose from a whopping 110 gins, including lots of local and their own bespoke gin, and a really good choice of local beer, cider and wines.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52961" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/millroom-drinks-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Tessa&#8217;s appointed a new head chef, Mark Brankin (formerly of Torquay&#8217;s Imperial Hotel) and his partner and pastry chef Sinead Powell. Open to non-residents, the new Mill Room restaurant serves the whole roster from breakfast and brunch, through lunch and dinner, or stop for afternoon tea &#8211; on a good day you can sit outside under the magnolia and enjoy the sunshine. </p>



<p>They&#8217;re also extending their <a href="https://themillroom.co.uk/our-events" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">range of events</a>, from steak nights, tapas nights and murder mystery events to live music from local musos.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1125" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-52951" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2023/02/MILL-ROOM-700x525.jpg 700w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Upmarket, traditional and Dartmoor-esque, thanks to the stone walls and low beams and as you&#8217;d expect for fine dining, it&#8217;s on the formal side with crisp linen on the tables. The velvet chairs are very comfy, designed to let you linger over your meal. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48224" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7641-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>Tessa makes no secret of the fact she&#8217;s set her sights on a Michelin gong, with a focus on local provenance, a seasonal menu, a good range for veggies and vegans, and with prices reflecting the ingredients&#8217; quality.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="2000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48133" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664-600x800.jpg 600w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664-750x1000.jpg 750w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7664-394x525.jpg 394w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Dinner kicks off with the cutest miniature loaf of sliced crusty white with chicken skin butter. It reminded me of stealing a pre-Sunday lunch slurp of gravy from the hob as a child. A real appetite whetter.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48112" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7672.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Starters are a choice of six, including spicy tomato soup, crispy chicken wings and seared King scallops. I order plum tomato goats cheese mousse which was incredibly fresh and punchy, contrasting creaminess with a crunchy salsa and chewy dehydrated tomato slices. A <em>very</em> good start!</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48113" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7675.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>I had a nibble of my dinner date&#8217;s maple glazed pig cheek which sticky and savoury, like the best Chinese takeaway you&#8217;ve ever had. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48123" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7676.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>There was a great choice of steak, venison, hogget and a veggie beetroot wellington on the mains menu, but I count resist the coconut monkfish with sticky rice. So much work had gone into it, all sweetened with tiny chopped squares of mango, a topping of finely sliced peppers and caramelised pineapple which was so tasty I polished it off with indecent haste.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48124" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7678.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>His halibut was more savoury, very meaty and flaky, with squares of pancetta and super-fresh bright green skinless beans.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683-1000x750.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-48115" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683-1000x750.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683-800x600.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683-768x576.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683-700x525.jpg 700w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/09/IMG_7683.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Generous portions and a bottle of a good-value Marlborough Moko Sauvignon (£28) meant dessert had to be shared. From a tough choice between West Country cheese, peanut butter parfait and chocolate white mousse, a raspberry tart won the toss. It was a pretty pink mix of dainty swirls, fruit crisps and leathers, and the most delicate pastry tart filled with a custard-like filling. Stunning.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">KID-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Yes, for Sunday lunch and teas on the terrace but an evening of fine dining would be wasted on the wee ones.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>The bar and restaurant are both in close proximity and on the ground floor. As it&#8217;s an old building there&#8217;s no lift to the upstairs though.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOG-FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Nope, The Mill Room is not for pooches. They are allowed in both the bar and the terrace where they might make friends with the resident hounds, Hester and Albie who are both very sweet and cuddly.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



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<p>If you come by day then you&#8217;ll be on the moors in less than 15 minutes so bring the walking boots. Or drive down the road to <a href="https://www.buckfast.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Buckfast Abbey</a>, a stunning Benedictine Monastery on the banks of the River Dart, known for its for honey and Buckfast tonic wine. The nearby road gets you to nearby towns and cities, and hearing the occasional hoot of a steam train from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/visit-us/heritage-train-experience/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">South Devon Railway</a>&nbsp;might get you fancying a heritage steam trip ride to Totnes. You can even try a cup of local-grown tea from the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dartmoorestatetea.com/tea-tours-experiences" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dartmoor Estate Tea</a>, a nearby plantation who sell their tea to Harrods. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/gallery_furzeleigh_food_6925.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-45289" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/gallery_furzeleigh_food_6925.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/gallery_furzeleigh_food_6925-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/devon/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2022/07/gallery_furzeleigh_food_6925-350x525.jpg 350w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>Fabulous cheffery &#8211; better than you can get for miles around. Expect a good showing on the star chart once the AA inspectors come to check it out shortly. And that Michelin prize? We have a contender!</p>



<p><strong>Good for</strong>: a treat meal out with friends who enjoy quality nosh; a Sunday lunch family meet-up or hangover-hack; brunch meetings; afternoon tea on the terrace; a fun cocktails and tapas night with the gals; a meat-fest and lovely local beers on tap to please your fella.</p>



<p><strong>Not for</strong>: casual, you might want to put your heels on.</p>



<p><strong>The damage</strong>: Starters from £10; fish dishes £25; desserts from £7. Bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, £27.95.</p>



<p><strong><em><a href="https://themillroom.co.uk" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Mill Room</a>, Furzeleigh Mill, Ashburton Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JP</em></strong> <strong><em>Tel: 01364 643476</em></strong></p>


Review: The Mill Room, Buckfastleigh

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