Reviews

THE CASTLE AT LANDKEY

I have written about the Castle at Landkey on a couple of occasions and having visited them recently to experience what a £200,000 refit and facelift can buy I make no apology for bring them to our readers attention again. It has been over a year now since Sam and Gill Adams took over The Castle and what better way to celebrate this milestone than with a complete refurbishment designed to cater for all their customers needs. Easter Saturday gave locals the first opportunity to experience the new look pub and restaurant, which I am pleased to report successfully combines the individual character of the historic landmark, while introducing some new modern touches to secure its future appeal for a new generation of people waiting to discover this gem of a pub and restaurant in the heart of Landkey.

A 7 week transformation created the same level of impact for me as some of the transformations I had seen on programmes like ‘Extreme Makeover’ and 10 years younger. You know you are looking at the same home or person you saw at the beginning of the programme but somehow it all looks so up to date, the best features shine through but with a new added sparkle and life.

The bar area still feels familiar with low beamed ceilings, open fire, dart board and pool table, however it feels much cleaner and brighter with a warm modern oak floor, reupholstered seating and light painted wood work giving a more spacious and contemporary feel to the traditional bar. Walking though the familiar doorway leading to the restaurant I could not believe my eyes, the original seating area has been tastefully extended to provide double the number of tables, all dressed to perfection with cream linen tablecloths, and complementary burgundy serviettes and floral arrangements. Yet despite being able to seat up to 50 the extension opens up on the side of the original bar and so both areas old and new still provide an intimate atmosphere. Having been fully re carpeted throughout, the non-smoking restaurant now provides a perfect backdrop for their award winning chef, Darren James to present his culinary delights.

Popular knockout lunches at £4.90 for I course and £6.00 for 2 are still available, offering everything from scampi, pie, curry, cod, steak and chilli to a brunch and daily knockout special, or if you prefer browse their bar snack menu with sarnies, loaded spuds, fresh salads and little peoples’ choices. My lunchtime recommendation – garlic mushrooms and Stilton loaded spuds with salad and homemade coleslaw at £4.95, delicious!! We ate ours in the glorious Devon sunshine, in the tranquillity of the large beer garden at the rear of the pub overlooking another of the thoughtful improvements ‘The Buddhist Temple an outdoor smokers area with new seating and lighting.

Our evening dining experience was just as successful, deep-fried brie wedges with sweet chilli sauce, Devon Sole with a cranberry/redcurrant jus and seasonal fresh vegetables and banoffie pie. Just a sample of the food available to us, all beautifully presented, full of fresh, clean flavours and delicious to eat in the cosy intimacy of the newly decorated dining room.

Much I’m sure will be said about the work that has been done to improve the facilities at one of Devon’s oldest pubs and Gill and Sam welcome your comments, offering you the chance to win a 3-course meal for 2 when you complete a customer satisfaction survey. So when asking, how did I rate The Castle overall? 10/10!!