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Cheesy Pumpkin Scones

Cheesy Pumpkin Scones

11th November 202011th November 2020 - tara Leave a comment

I don’t know about you but I love autumn. I particularly adore the warm and sunny autumn days with that special golden light that you only get at this time of year. The sun is low in the sky and the way it shines through the trees feels warm and cosy. With autumn in fullRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In Pictures #2

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In Pictures #2

8th November 20208th November 2020 - tara Leave a comment

For me, this week has been made up of two contrasting halves. I am pretty sure that for others based in England right now you may agree with me? Lockdown 2.0 started at 12.01 am on Thursday morning with many restrictions in place that we haven’t seen since the easing of the first lockdown inRead more

Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Cake

Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Cake

2nd November 20201st November 2020 - tara 2 Comments

Ok, this cake may sound and look really like a Halloween cake but rest assured it’s more than that. As always I am a little behind with my posting and this recipe comes a day or so late so I apologise. I really need to deal with that especially now we have just had theRead more

Let It Be Sunday - My Week In Pictures #1

Let It Be Sunday – My Week In Pictures #1

1st November 20201st November 2020 - tara Leave a comment

It must have been about 2 years since my last Week In Pictures post. To be sure I would have to look back through my archives. Why this week of all weeks? Well, in all honesty, there is no particular reason apart from having a little more time than normal. It’s half term here inRead more

No Churn Coffee Ice Cream

No Churn Coffee Ice Cream

21st October 202021st October 2020 - tara Leave a comment

Happy UK Coffee Week to you all. I have to confess, I am not a coffee addict. I am definitely more of a tea drinker but I do like the odd cappuccino (retro choice I know) and espresso now and again. I do however go nuts over coffee flavoured things. Coffee cake is a particularRead more

Chocolate Courgette Bundt With Cream Cheese Frosting

15th September 202015th September 2020 - tara Leave a comment

I have made this cake twice now with my glut of courgettes and it’s too good not to share with you all. I can safely say it is the most delightfully moist sponge that tastes so decadent and rich. My feeling is that it has to be good for you too because it contains veg!Read more

The Postal Pantry Co - Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

The Postal Pantry Co – Spaghetti Alla Puttanesca

15th August 202015th August 2020 - tara Leave a comment

My love of Italy is well documented as is my love of Italian food. Quite often Italian recipes are incredibly easy to prepare with flavours that pack a punch. The key being good quality ingredients and a sprinkle of love! This recipe is no different. Spaghetti alla Puttanesca is one of those simple recipes thatRead more

The Secret Garden Cafe – Exeter

20th July 202020th July 2020 - tara 4 Comments

There are many places I have discovered during my lockdown walks including hopefully my new home! (eek!). I have walked and walked and walked every day uncovering new places that I simply wouldn’t have known existed if we hadn’t have been confined to home pretty much for the last 4 months. The Secret Garden CafeRead more

Strawberry, Goats Cheese & Pecan Salad With Balsamic Dressing

7th July 20207th July 2020 - tara Leave a comment

This salad on paper initially sounded like it wouldn’t work but trust me, it does. Individually all the components work with another but I was unsure what would happen if I put them all together on a plate. I needn’t have been worried. It was a match made in heaven and one that I thoughtRead more

Pantry Provisions – Store Cupboard Linguine

28th June 202028th June 2020 - tara Leave a comment

I have made this recipe a number of times through lockdown and it has always hit the spot. If like me you often have jars of capers, olives and anchovies in your pantry along with a bag of pasta you can always make a top-notch lunch or supper. It’s also super quick to make, soRead more

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Tara Smith | Foodie & Content Creator

tarasbusykitchen

Devon-born foodie & content creator
Finding brilliant places to eat, drink & explore
Indie restaurants • cafés • vineyards • South West gems

L I T T L E S H O P & P A N T R Y BRISTOL… I L I T T L E S H O P &  P A N T R Y 

BRISTOL… I think you’re going to be seeing a little more of me.

Now that my bestie Alex has moved back to Bristol, expect a few more Bristol finds popping up on my grid. 

I’m still very much keeping the South West vibes going, but being able to stay overnight without a big hotel bill means a lot more opportunity to explore, eat, drink and discover some new places.

And Alex, you get me!! Recommending a bakery with a wine shop attached couldn’t have been a better shout! 

Saturday morning, on my way back to the train home, I knew I needed a decent coffee, so Alex sent me to Little Shop & Pantry and what can I say… bakery + coffee + wine shop + deli? Is this the dream situation or what?

Great coffee, excellent pastries and the opportunity to pick up a bottle of something delicious (hello Folc, a firm favourite in my house) plus some lovely deli bits to take home.

I could officially move in 🫣

The coffee was great, the vibes were buzzing and from what I spotted, there are some pretty tempting brunch and lunch options too.

@littleshop_lsp is a sister to Little French, which I visited for my birthday back in May and absolutely loved, so I’m very excited to have both on Alex’s new doorstep.

Basically, Bristol… I think I may have just found another reason to keep coming back.

And to my Bristol followers, I’d LOVE your recommendations. Where should I be eating, drinking and exploring next?

#BristolFood #BristolFoodie #BristolIndependent #BristolEats #SouthWestFoodie
C O N S I D E R this your sign to add a few new S C O N S I D E R  this your sign to add a few new South West food spots to your list…

I’m Tara, Devon born & bred, and I spend a lot of my time travelling around the South West hunting out brilliant independent places to eat, drink & be merry. These are five places I’ve discovered or revisited recently that deserve a little more love.

Gidleigh Park, Chagford
Seven years since my last visit and I’m wondering how this beautiful Dartmoor country house hotel ever fell off my radar. Set in 107 acres, with one Michelin star, outstanding service and seriously impressive food, this is one for the special-occasion list.

Holm, South Petherton
Back for my fourth visit with Rebecca from Emile Wines, who was hosting a wine tasting and pairing with head chef Jack. This time we sat at the kitchen counter with a brilliant bird’s-eye view of the action. Completely different to my previous visits and, as always, a very good reason to return.

The Candlelight Inn, Bishopswood
Cosy Somerset pub, cocktails, lovely wine & seriously good elevated pub food. Add catching up with Alex, who has just moved back to Bristol, and it was the perfect excuse for a little meet-up. We stayed at Dimpsey Shepherd Huts just a mile away too, which I’d absolutely recommend if you fancy making an overnight of it.

Harman Bagels, Totnes
Finally ticked this one off the list during a day trip to Totnes with Steve. Properly stuffed, homemade bagels and SO good. The salmon & cream cheese with extra pickles gets my vote. I’ll be back.

The Fat Pig, Exeter
A regular haunt for a glass of wine, but this time my Sunday shopping trip somehow turned into sitting at the bar with a plate of heritage tomatoes, tonnato sauce & anchovies. Mega yum. Now I need to go back and try more of their ever-changing menu.

This is exactly why I love exploring the South West. There are brilliant independent places everywhere if you know where to look.

So, South West foodies… where should I be heading next?

Devon | Somerset | South West food | independent restaurants | Exeter food | Totnes food | Dartmoor food | Somerset pubs | South West foodie

#SouthWestFoodie #DevonFoodie #SomersetFoodie #DevonEats #SouthWestEats
G I D L E I G H P A R K - C H A G F O R D ad Wh G I D L E I G H  P A R K - C H A G F O R D 

ad Where to eat in Devon when you want lunch to feel like an occasion…

@gidleighpark near Chagford needs to be on your radar.

Set in 107 acres of beautiful grounds on the edge of Dartmoor, this country house feels like stepping back in time and into an Agatha Christie novel… minus the murder and Hercule Poirot, obviously!

From the warm welcome to the glass of Laurent-Perrier Héritage on arrival, everything felt properly special.

We settled on the terrace with views across the manicured gardens, sculptures and Dartmoor beyond. 
The sun even came out after an earlier downpour. Blue skies, beautiful gardens and heavenly silence. What more could you want?

Then came a leisurely Michelin-starred lunch.

Mussels with cider & tarragon, garden salad with ham hock & poached egg, violet artichoke for me and John Dory with lobster sauce for Polly. Beautifully presented and delicious, with wonderfully attentive service.

We took a wander around the gardens before dessert, discovering the more rugged, very Dartmoor side of the estate with moss-covered granite, streams and woodland which I personally loved. 

Back inside, coffee and a date & ginger pudding with geranium & lime leaf sorbet. I did initially think “interesting flavour combo” but the tart sorbet was the perfect contrast to the sweetness and felt like the first little nod towards autumn. Although I really do want to hang on to summer a little longer. Don’t you? 

I’d enjoyed afternoon tea at Gidleigh Park before, but had never really considered it for lunch. I’m so glad I accepted the invitation because this was one of the loveliest lunches I’ve had in a long time.

If you’re looking for somewhere special for lunch in Devon, put this one-Michelin-starred country house on your list.

Have you been to Gidleigh Park for lunch? Where else should I be adding to my Devon food bucket list? Let me know as I am always trying to find new places to eat, drink and be merry. 

#DevonFood #DevonFoodie #DartmoorFood #DevonRestaurants #Chagford
1 0 D E V O N B A K E R I E S . . If bakeries 1 0  D E V O N  B A K E R I E S . . 

If bakeries make your heart happy, this one’s for you.

10 Devon bakeries to try this weekend, because I genuinely believe a good bakery is worth travelling for.
I love a bakery pilgrimage. Give me really good sourdough, buttery pastries, pillowy focaccia, light-as-air sponge and anything made with brilliant ingredients and I’m very, very happy.

From independent bakeries and artisan bread to beautiful pastries, cakes, focaccia and proper sourdough, these are 10 Devon bakeries I think are well worth putting on your list.

And yes, this is very much a saveable one for your next Devon food adventure.

If you’re looking for where to eat in Devon, the best bakeries in Devon, independent bakeries in Devon, artisan bread, sourdough, pastries or just really good baked goods, start here.

I’m not sure there is such a thing as going too far for a really good pastry. ♥️

Now I need your recommendations...

What’s your favourite bakery in Devon and where should I go next? Tell me in the comments because I’m always looking for another bakery pilgrimage.

#DevonFood #DevonBakery #DevonBakeries #DevonFoodie #IndependentDevon
T H I N G S W E A B S O L U T E L Y need to brin T H I N G S  W E  A B S O L U T E L Y need to bring back from the past…

A medically prescribed trip to the seaside.

Just imagine popping to the doctors and being handed a prescription for sea air, sunshine and a brisk walk along the beach.

Or better still… the doctor comes to your house and prescribes it there.

I mean, I’d be booking my appointment immediately.

I was lying on my bed reading a Patricia Wentworth murder mystery, body aching after teaching copious amounts of ballet and fitness, and honestly… I thought, I need a trip to the seaside. 

I’m Devon born & bred and grew up by the water, but now I live inland, so perhaps my body is simply protesting.

And while we’re bringing things back, can we bring back the seaside cure, proper old-school beach holidays and the belief that a day by the sea fixes almost everything?

What would be on YOUR prescription? Sea air, a cream tea, fish & chips, a coastal walk… or something else?

And if you’re new here, I’m a Devon-born massive foodie exploring the South West, from indie cafés and bakeries to brilliant restaurants, pubs and food spots worth travelling for.

Follow along if you fancy discovering more of Devon & the South West with me.

#DevonFoodie #DevonLife #SouthWestEngland #DevonDaysOut #IndieFoodUK
N O T T O B E D R A M A T I C . . Ad Is there N O T  T O  B E  D R A M A T I C . . 

Ad Is there anything better than escaping from the everyday to the countryside for quality time with your bestie. Recently, myself and @alex_deesh went to visit the beautiful Dimpsey Glamping Shephard’s Huts in Somerset for a night away and we haven’t stopped talking about it since.

If you’re looking for some inspiration for your next getaway, then this is it - everything you could need and more from a rural retreat. From cosy interiors and bedlinen, to the tranquil soundtrack of birdsong and rustling trees - this is a little slice of heaven that’s only 40 minutes from Exeter and just over an hour from Bristol. (Or train to Taunton and get your bestie to pick you up like I did!✨) 

There are three Shephard’s Huts on site, but each is within its own private area of the Dimpsey Farm site - the only other guests you’ll find are the on-site sheep, pigs and chickens. We absolutely loved the outdoor space surrounding the hut - a generous decking area where we enjoyed some local Somerset bubbles, alongside your very own outdoor hot tub and oven. 

There was even a quaint swing seat which we perched on and chatted, putting the worlds to rights.

Whilst being so remote, you’re also not far from local amenities - including The Candlelight pub nearby which we enjoyed a brilliant meal at that evening.

So, if you’re looking for something a bit different and off the beaten tracks - make sure to check out @dimpsey_somerset 

#somersetglamping #somersetgetaway #shepherdshut #countrysideescape #bestiegetaway
C A N D L E L I G H T I N N - B I S H O P S W O O C A N D L E L I G H T  I N N - B I S H O P S W O O D 

A proper pub that serves seriously tasty food.

Ad I’m always on a mission to find brilliant places to eat in the South West, and @the_candlelight_somerset in Bishopswood, Somerset is definitely one to add to your list.

It’s a proper pub for those who love a pint and a packet of scampi fries, but it also serves a seasonal, local food menu that is packed with flavour.

Think beer garden, cocktails or a pint on a late-summer evening, then candles, open fires and cosy vibes when the sun goes down. A pub for all seasons.

A lovely Instagram follower, Emma, recommended I visit and I’m so glad she did. My bestie Alex and I met halfway for our first reunion since she moved to Bristol, starting with margs outside before settling in for dinner.

We ate Padrón peppers, crispy squid with charred corn, chicken schnitzel & fries, Cornish sole with roasted Jersey royals & samphire, followed by a blondie affogato because apparently we did have room for dessert. I mean, who were we kidding? 

Wine was consumed, lots of catching up was done and a very good evening was had.

Save this one for your next Somerset food trip. The Candlelight Inn is very much worth knowing about.

#SomersetFood #SomersetPubs #Bishopswood #SouthWestFoodie #SomersetEats
A  F R O L I C  A R O U N D  T O T N E S 

If you’re looking for a day trip from Exeter that feels like a proper little escape, put Totnes on your list.

I love a day trip to Totnes. It has such a different feel to Exeter, and with independent shops pretty much everywhere you look, a brilliant food & vintage market, great charity shops & so many good places to eat & drink, you can easily fill a whole day here.

Start early with a pastry from Luna’s Bakehouse and a coffee from @kommunekult or @the.hairy.barista , which are conveniently close together. Or, if you fancy a longer walk, start your indie shopping adventure at the bottom of town and pick up your coffee from @thecuratortotnes . 

My two shops I never skip? Me & East and Palmer by Design. Both are brilliant for clothing, gifts and things you probably didn’t know you needed.

Then there’s the Totnes Market, where I’ve picked up some great vintage clothing finds for just a few quid.

Lunch is where things get difficult because there are so many good choices. The Bull Inn for a proper pub lunch, Shaka for an excellent burger & sides, or my latest Totnes discovery, Harman Bagels. Eat in or grab a bagel to take down to the river if the weather is behaving.

Fancy walking it off? Follow the river towards Dartington Hall or even the Cider Press Centre, before heading back into town for happy hour at Rosso, a wine shop come wine bar with a brilliant selection and cool atmosphere.

Then Albatross for very good pizza before looping back towards the station via Copperhead Brewery. They brew all their own beer on site and the playlist is always a winner.

Basically, one day in Totnes = independent shopping, good food, vintage finds, coffee, wine, walking, beer and a lot of eating.

I’m planning a few more Totnes weekends as autumn arrives because there is SO much more I want to explore. @flock.totnes is next on my list and apparently it’s epic.

Where else should I be adding to my Totnes list?

#TotnesDevon #TotnesFood #SouthWestFoodie #DevonDayTrip #IndependentDevon
H A R M A N B A G E L S Are these the best bage H A R M A N  B A G E L S 

Are these the best bagels in Devon? I’ll let you be the judge.. 

I’m asking because I’ve just discovered Harman Bagels in Totnes and I’m already wondering why it took me almost six months to get there.

They opened their second shop here after starting out in Plymouth, and this one actually came recommended by someone on Instagram when I asked for inspiration for new places to try. I’m very glad I listened. Thank you to whoever it was .. I do take note of all your recs by the way. ☺️

The menu is small but mighty. Think salt beef with sauerkraut, house pickles & mustard mayo, smoked salmon with cream cheese, tomato, red onion, dill & capers, bacon, egg & cheese, halloumi with red pepper jam & spinach, plus a vegan mushroom option.

I went for smoked salmon on an everything bagel with cream cheese, tomato, dill & extra pickles. Obviously. I am a serious pickle lover so if there is an option to add I will most definitely be jumping on that …

In my opinion, these are proper bagels. Weighty, generous with the fillings, thickly cut salmon and cream cheese spread on both sides. The bagel itself was doughy but light with that lovely chew you want.

They’re handcrafted and freshly baked, with their salt beef brined for five days, so there’s clearly plenty of care going into them and I love that. 

We grabbed ours to take away and headed down to the river because the weather was too good not to. 

FYI - Bagel + River Dart = excellent Saturday lunch.

So now I need to know…Are these the best bagels in Devon? Where else should I be trying? Please share as I am on a constant look out for the best of the best. (Indies only please) 

#DevonFoodie #DevonEats #TotnesFood #TotnesFoodie #DevonFood
M A Y B E T H E A L G O R I T H M brought me to M A Y B E  T H E  A L G O R I T H M  brought me to you for a reason…

If you’re someone who likes to eat good food, find lovely independent places, wander around somewhere beautiful, drink something delicious & generally make a day of it, I think you might want to stick around.

I’m Tara, a Devon based foodie who earns her living dancing & spends a lot of my life eating, drinking, exploring & enjoying the good stuff with the people I love.

Think Devon food, independent cafés & restaurants, seasonal food, local produce, South West food adventures, picnics, coffee, wine, pastries & places worth travelling for.

I’m passionate about keeping things local, supporting independents, eating seasonally & finding the places that make you want to get out there and explore.

So if the algorithm has landed this reel in front of you… maybe it knew what it was doing.

Tell me where you’re watching from & what kind of food adventure I should take you on next.

#DevonFoodie #DevonEats #SouthWestFoodie #DevonFood #IndependentFood
I F Y O U R I D E A of a good life involves food I F  Y O U R  I D E A of a good life involves food, fresh air & a lot of wandering… we might get along.

I’m Tara, a Devon based foodie who earns her living dancing, but spends a very large portion of her spare time eating, drinking, exploring & finding lovely places to eat, drink and be merry. 

I love independent food spots, seasonal produce, good coffee, a picnic in the sunshine, a walk somewhere beautiful, a glass of wine, music, dancing around, cooking at home & spending time with the people I love.

And really, that’s what you’ll find here.

Devon & South West food recommendations, independent cafés & restaurants, seasonal eating, local producers, places worth travelling for, little adventures & plenty of reasons to get outside.

I’m a big believer in community, keeping things local & supporting independent businesses whenever I can. If it’s on my grid, chances are I’ve genuinely loved it and think it’s worth your time.

So if you’re into Devon food, independent businesses, seasonal eating, local produce, food adventures & making a day of it, you’re in the right place.
Come along for the food, stay for the adventures.

#DevonFoodie #DevonFood #SouthWestFoodie #DevonEats #IndependentFood
W H A T T O P U T in your shopping basket this A W H A T  T O  P U T in your shopping basket this August

August is basically nature’s way of saying EAT ME NOW.

This is the month for making the most of those gorgeous summer fruits and vegetables before the seasons start to shift. Think juicy berries, soft fruits, stone fruits, early apples & pears, alongside tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, runner beans, broad beans, peas and those delicious new potatoes.

And honestly, when produce is this good, you barely need to do anything to it.

A bowl of perfectly ripe tomatoes with good olive oil, a handful of berries with yoghurt, buttery new potatoes, or a simple salad packed with whatever you’ve brought home from the farm shop.

I’m Tara, a Devon-based foodie and massive lover of seasonal food. I love cooking with what’s growing around us, partly because it means fewer food miles and better flavour, but also because buying local seasonal produce means supporting the brilliant growers, farmers and independent businesses around us.

And if you get ridiculously excited when tomato season comes around, you’re definitely in the right place.

When I’m not in the kitchen cooking up something seasonal, I’m out exploring the South West looking for the best places serving up local, seasonal food. If I feature somewhere, you can be sure it has my seal of approval.

So tell me, which seasonal fruit or vegetable gets you most excited and what’s your favourite way to eat it? I’m always looking for foodie inspiration.

#DevonFoodie #SouthWestFoodie #SeasonalEating #LocalFood #DevonFood
T H A N K Y O U for reading my announcement. Norm T H A N K  Y O U for reading my announcement. Normal service will resume until my next monthly meltdown. 

The good news is, I shan’t be writing my CV this month .. I wouldn’t even know where to begin with that tbh .. how do ballet teacher skills translate to real life??🫠

Love Tara xx
H O W W E ‘ D S P E N D A S U N D A Y in Exe H O W  W E ‘ D  S P E N D  A  S U N D A Y in Exeter.

Hey, I’m Tara. I’m a Devon-born foodie with a huge love for independent, seasonal & local food. If it’s on this list, I can genuinely say I’ve loved it and would recommend it to a friend.

For coffee & a really good pastry, Boatyard Bakery, The Ridge & Lilac Bakery are my go-tos.

For brunch, try Crave, Boston Tea Party, The Press House, The Birdhouse, Juice King or Sacred Grounds. Full English, things on toast, pancakes, smoothie bowls, bagels... there’s plenty to choose from.

For lunch or dinner, Herbies is a new Exeter favourite for great vegan & veggie food, while Kin Khao is always a good shout. Want something simpler? Grab a toastie, or pick up Krispies fish & chips, a bottle of something delicious and head to the quay for an Exeter picnic.

For food and drinks, try Portal Pizza at Exeter Brewery, or go for a roast at Artigiano or The Fat Pig.

Dessert or afternoon matcha? Pink Ginger gets my vote every time. For ice cream, try Suki’s, Zuki’s or Chococo.
And it’s not all about eating...

For culture, there’s @rammuseum , @exeterphoenix or the @exeter.library , while @exeter_leisure at St Sidwell’s Point has swimming, classes, a gym & soft play.

Fancy a walk? The Exeter Quay loop is an easy favourite, or try part of the 12-mile Exeter Green Circle, which links green spaces around the city.

And yes, I realise there’s a LOT of food in this Sunday itinerary, but pick your favourites. I like to give you choices!

Save this for your next Exeter day, share it with your foodie friends & tell me your Exeter favourite that I need to add to the list.

#ExeterFood #ExeterFoodie #ExeterRestaurants #DevonFoodie #VisitExeter
W H A T ‘ S A C T U A L L Y I N S E A S O N W H A T ‘ S  A C T U A L L Y  I N  S E A S O N  in August? Your foodie friend is here to remind you…

August might just be one of my favourite months for seasonal produce. Soft fruits, stone fruits, early apples and pears, plus some of the best vegetables of summer.

Think juicy tomatoes, runner beans, broad beans, new potatoes, cucumber and peas. Basically, the kind of produce that doesn’t need much doing to it because it’s already so good.

Seasonal fruit and vegetables really don’t hang around for long. August is when so much of it is at its absolute best, so make the most of it while you can.

I’m Tara, a Devon-based foodie, and I love cooking at home with seasonal, local ingredients. It can help keep costs down, reduce food miles and, most importantly, I genuinely think everything tastes better when you eat it in season.

I look forward to tomato season ALL year. That first properly delicious, sweet, juicy tomato of the summer? Simple pleasure, but one I get very excited about.

And when I’m not cooking at home, I’m hunting out the best places to eat across Devon and the South West that are championing seasonal and local produce too.

What seasonal fruit or vegetable are you most excited about eating this August and how do you cook it? Tell me yours in the comments, because I’m always looking for my next foodie obsession.

#SeasonalEating #SeasonalProduce #DevonFoodie #SouthWestFoodie #EatLocal
W H E N S O M E R S E T feels like Italy for a ho W H E N  S O M E R S E T feels like Italy for a hot minute…

Last night was one of those evenings that felt a little bit magical. The setting, the light, the atmosphere…

I had the absolute pleasure of watching my friend of crikey, 25+ years, Rebecca, completely in her element talking about wine and sharing the wines she’s loving right now through her business, Emile Wines.

And as someone whose love of all things Italian is long standing, I was very happy to be there. First up on the tasting was delish Lambrusco. 

And can we talk about Lambrusco for a minute?

I’ve been a Lambrusco lover for years. Good Lambrusco, obviously. Not that stuff from the 80s. And I feel like maybe, just maybe, I’m finally cool because Lambrusco is BACK in vogue, friends. 

After Rebecca’s tasting, we hopped up to the kitchen counter for more deliciousness from Holm’s head chef Jack Gordon.

Westcombe Cheddar fries, which are an absolute must order.

Smoked cod’s roe with pink radish. Pink on pink. Love.

Homemade sourdough & salty butter.

Sea bass crudo with cucumber.

And confit tomatoes with burrata.

Honestly, every single thing was outstanding.

This was my fourth visit to Holm and I think we can safely say it might just be my favourite restaurant in Somerset. I know I bang on about Holm every time I go, but it really is justified. It is one of those South West restaurants that I genuinely think deserves to be on your radar.

And just for transparency, I wasn’t here in a PR capacity this time. I was simply there as a friend supporting a friend. I just thought I should mention that I have visited Holm as a guest of the restaurant in the past year. 

If you’ve been looking for somewhere special to eat in Somerset, I really cannot recommend putting Holm in South Petherton on your list enough.

I’m a Devon-based foodie travelling around the South West for good food, brilliant independent restaurants, wine, cafés & places worth making a journey for.

If that sounds like your kind of thing, you know what to do.

Happy Friday friends.. Love Tara x

#SomersetFood #SomersetRestaurants #SouthWestFoodie #DevonFoodie #SouthWestRestaurants
W H E R E I ‘ D T A K E my vegan friend visit W H E R E  I ‘ D  T A K E  my vegan friend visiting Exeter…

Got a vegan friend coming to Exeter for the weekend? 

This is the list I’d be sending them.

From breakfast, brunch and lunch to snacks, cake, pizza and dinner, these are some of my favourite 100% vegan independent businesses in Exeter.

Think ridiculously good brownies and cakes from Cake or Death, brilliant small plates at Herbies, brunch and lunch at Sacred Grounds, pizza at The Flat, smooth bowls galore at Luna and cathedral views at Sprout.

And if you fancy putting together a picnic, How On Earth Deli is SO good. Sandwiches, salads, cakes, vegan deli meats and cheeses… basically everything you need for a very good picnic.

I get asked all the time where to eat in Exeter if you’re vegan or dairy-free, so I wanted to put all these brilliant vegan Exeter independents in one place.

And don’t forget, these are all vegan-only businesses. 

There are also loads of other independent cafés, restaurants and delis in Exeter with a really good selection of vegan and dairy-free options on their menus.

So if you’ve got a vegan foodie visiting Exeter, hopefully this gives you a few places to start.

Vegan Exeter friends, where else should I add to my list? Have I missed a brilliant indie?

#VeganExeter #ExeterFood #ExeterEats #DevonFoodie #IndependentExeter
1 0 S O U T H W E S T H O T S P O T S I can’ 1 0  S O U T H  W E S T  H O T S P O T S  I can’t stop thinking about this month

This month has taken me from wood-fired Sunday lunch at Horrell & Horrell in Somerset, to smash burgers and frickles at Shaka in Totnes, and from coffee and cake at the brand new Kiln in Topsham to a fish finger sandwich from The Galley, best enjoyed with a bottle of wine on the quay. Honestly, an elevated picnic doesn’t get much better.

I’ve been back to Holm in South Petherton, which has to be one of my most visited restaurants of the last year, celebrated a birthday at The Newt in Somerset with a lunch at The Botanical Rooms and a mooch around those beautiful gardens, and discovered Thursday Lates at Magdalen Cheese & Provisions in Exeter.

Herbies was the surprise of the month with its brilliant vegan and veggie small plates, The Birdhouse remains one of my Exeter favourites, and a trip to Lyme Regis isn’t complete without a visit to Swim for food, cocktails and that sea air.

Basically, it’s been a very good month for eating my way around Devon, Somerset and Dorset.

And the best bit? Quite a few of these adventures were done by public transport, because getting on a train for something delicious is one of my favourite ways to spend a day.

Now I want to know what I’ve missed.

Where have you eaten in the South West recently that you genuinely can’t stop thinking about? Tell me your favourites, especially the brilliant indie places I need to know about.

#SouthWestFood #DevonFoodie #DevonFood #SomersetFood #IndependentFood
H O B B I E S ? I mean… does eating count? Beca H O B B I E S ? I mean… does eating count?

Because if it does, then I’m absolutely sorted.

I will happily spend three hours travelling for a good lunch. I’ve caught a train to another county for a really good pastry and a top-notch coffee. I will absolutely, without doubt, plan a day trip around where we’re going to eat.

Food isn’t just fuel to me. It’s a huge part of how I enjoy life.

It’s finding a brilliant little indie café, discovering a restaurant I can’t wait to tell people about, eating ice cream in the sunshine, sitting down for a long lunch with friends or putting together a picnic and making an afternoon or evening of it.

Basically, I just really like eating, exploring and finding the good stuff.

I’m Devon born and bred, but I’m always off exploring Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Cornwall and the wider South West, looking for brilliant independent places to eat, drink and be merry.

And if somewhere is worth a three-hour round trip, I’m probably going.

So yes, I think we can safely say this has gone beyond a hobby.

And then, completely unrelated to my inability to walk past a good pastry.. HELLO 10k !

10,000 of you are now following along with my very food-focused adventures, and that honestly makes me rather happy. Thank you for being here and coming along for the good food.

If you’re into discovering independent places to eat across Devon and the South West, I hope there’s plenty more here for you to discover too.

#DevonFoodie #SouthWestFoodie #ExeterFoodie #DevonFood #SouthWestFood
W H E R E T O E A T in Somerset when you want so W H E R E  T O  E A T in Somerset when you want something a little bit special…

Ad Yesterday I discovered @horrellandhorrell in Sparkford and honestly, what a find.

Tucked away in the Somerset countryside between Yeovil and Castle Cary, this beautifully curated communal dining experience is run by husband & wife Jules & Steve, and it’s somewhere I’d absolutely recommend booking.

We were there for their family-style Sunday lunch, where everything is cooked over coals or in their beautiful brick oven and served in the middle of the table for everyone to share.

Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding & pigs in blankets, Chalk Stream trout for the pescatarians, roasted summer squash with goats cheese & pomegranate for the veggies, plus all the glorious Sunday roast sides. 

Cumin roasted carrots, hispi cabbage, roast potatoes, cauliflower cheese and green beans picked from the garden.

Then came plum pavlova, made with plums from their own trees and swirled through piles of whipped cream. Heaven.

And there’s more…

It’s BYOB with no corkage. LOVE this ..

After lunch you can wander through the kitchen garden, orchard and flower garden, meet the chickens and generally let lunch go down in the loveliest surroundings.

They also host end-of-the-week evening feasts, which I am very keen to return for in the autumn. I’m already imagining this place lit by fairy lights, candles & log burners… and perhaps finding a local B&B so I can properly embrace the BYOB situation!

If you’re looking for where to eat in Somerset, a special Sunday lunch, seasonal dining or somewhere a little different for a food-filled day out, put Horrell & Horrell on your list.

Somerset foodies, I want to know your hidden gems too… Tell me your favourite places to eat in Somerset in the comments because I’m on a mission to discover more of them, and I’ve got my eye on an autumn return to Horrell & Horrell already.

#SomersetFood #SomersetFoodie #WhereToEatSomerset #SomersetRestaurants #SouthWestFoodie
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© Tara Smith 2022