LANGDON COURT - REVIEWS

"Langdon Court Restaurant is refreshingly refined, robustly re-energised and resonates a restaurant with delicious dishes."
Rosalie Glendinning Reveals.

The location is enviable; only 15 minutes from the centre of Plymouth City (I have checked), the service flawless, the food flavour-filled and superlatively fresh. New owners Geoffrey and Emma Ede have injected an energy and innovation that only natural business acumen, years of experience at the highest level and good taste can provide. The restaurant is revitalised and recharged, teeming with inimitable elegance and delicious food!

I could think of countless words to describe the restaurant, but heritage, romance and decadence are three. It resides within the majestic Grade II listed Tudor Manor House, that is also renowned as a reputable country house hotel, oozing royal, political and nautical history, spanning thousands of dramatic years.

This is much more than a restaurant, this is a destination, leading to an occasion. The drive to it is equally enchanting. The house, set in 10 acres of mature gardens and woodlands, indigenously blends in with the timeless beauty of South Hams` rolling hills and breathtaking beaches. If you want to be whisked away from the fuss of city life into a retreat providing secluded intimacy that encourages relaxation at a reasonable price, then this is for you!

On entering, a warm genteel greeting and immiscible energy flows, drawn from the passionate owners, to the happy service staff and permeating contented clientele. Everything runs like clockwork, nothing is too much, with courtesy effervescing effortlessly. Richard Dunn, the Restaurant Manager, attends to your dining needs with charming professionalism and an innate grace that only 26 years of working within this elegant house can provide.

The décor fuses the finest in classic and contemporary chic. Warm tones and traditional elegance pervade; a huge fire roars, beautiful antique furnishings and high ornate ceilings capture essences of a regal past, all enhanced with contemporary overtones; candles dance, Lilies aromatise, cool jazz soothes and perfectly placed tables, with crisp white linen and tasteful settings await your presence.

The menu continues the blend of traditional and modern, catering for classic and eclectic tastes. Everything is strictly local and organic, with reared meat, game, fish, seafood and vegetarian options. A beautiful list of fine wines has been carefully considered, to gratify broad tastes an offering perfect accompaniments to diverse dishes. The range includes New World novelties and traditional classics. (They are also aiming to produce their own local wine, being in the crucial stages of varietal selection).

Initially, palates were ignited with flavour-filled, wholesome pre-starters, including a rich, creamy, carrot and caraway seed amuse. Next, the entrees were versatile, boasting delightful and delicious textures. The seared hand-dived Brixham scallops with crispy Parma ham, pea puree and a fresh cucumber and caviar dressing, was bounding in juicy freshness, as was the rillette of Salmon, cepe mushrooms, shallots with dressed ruby chard leaves and green basil oil.

For the main course, the seared fillet of Devonshire beef arrived piping hot, generous and succulent. The dish displayed a richness that can only be found in local produce, with crispy yet fluffy fondant potatoes and crunchy spring green beans drizzled in butter and rich jus.

For dessert, turmoil at the table entertained, when choices had to be made between mouth-watering desserts, the West Country Cheese board or ice cream and sorbets. After debate and deliberation, the duo of Lemon soufflé with a tangy lemon sorbet was selected, paradoxically providing a refreshing yet comforting conclusion to an immaculate meal.

One common denominator prevailed throughout the evening; all the dishes oozed incredible freshness and taste. Geoffrey and Emma will not tolerate anything less than the best, maintaining a strict policy to grace their guest’s palates with the finest local organic produce and ingredients only! Everything is made from scratch.

Additionally, vegetables and herbs lovingly nurtured by Graham Titchmarsh (Alan’s cousin) are tenderly drawn from the Manor’s listed Jacobean garden and delivered to the kitchen in their seasonal prime. This means all dishes possess a natural arrogance, rich in colour and taste. Chef Carl Smith enlightened; “I have the ability to literally unearth and work with produce in its freshest form. I can create beautiful dishes with unmatched richness and natural taste”. He also enthused about the newly built state-of-the-art kitchen which he had input into: “I offered ideas on how I would like the kitchen to be planned for the benefit of the cooking”. Geoffrey added: “Every corridor in this house leads to the kitchen, which should have a warmth and life as the heart of this beautiful building. When we moved in the heart wasn’t pumping, so we ripped out the old one and rebuilt a state-of-the-art new one, to re-energise it.” And it does!

Seriously though amidst all that is perfect and polished at Langdon Court Restaurant, I have to admit thee are two problems to overcome: A – trying not to look too smug when your meal arrives. B – Trying to hide envious eyes when observing other dishes.

This may be a restaurant that sits within a beautiful hotel, but it’s more than that. When the hotel guests, who could go anywhere in town to eat, choose the place literally on their doorstep, you know that something exciting is pumping in the heart of sleepy Wembury. Why wait?

Signpost Review - April 2009

This month’s gastronomic delight came in two forms for the Signpost team – I know it’s a hard life but we battle on!

Firstly we sampled The Langdon Court’s new lunchtime Bistro Menu and a week later we were ‘in residence’ again for a spectacular feast of fine wines and food! It is a real delight when you find a venue to tick all your boxes – good location, good food and good wine! And The Langdon Court certainly delivered in our experience.

You may be familiar with The Langdon Court as one of the region’s popular Wedding venues – I’d wager many of you have been there for just such an occasion! However, what a lot of people don’t know is that it is a great place to go for a leisurely lunch or dinner on any day of the week!

Geoffrey Ede and his wife Emma have been at the helm for the past 18 months and are ringing the changes to transform the Hotel and create a great place to enjoy an afternoon or evening out with friends as well as build on the success of the larger scale events that the hotel has become known for.

With a complete refurbishment of the downstairs areas, including a brand new industrial kitchen for the new chefs also on board they are determined to put the hotel well and truly on the map!
Even the outside is not escaping with Graham Titchmarsh – you may have heard of his cousin Alan? – in charge in the gardens!

From a newly lit façade and driveway to welcome you as you arrive at night to the Moet et Chandon umbrellas providing the perfect alfresco dining experience, they’re taking the task in hand with enthusiasm.

The new Bistro menu offers a wealth of choice at extremely good value! You can also enjoy a two course lunch or dinner for £10 (selected menu) – beautiful scenery included! The Langdon Court is easy to find – just follow the brown tourist information signs from Elburton – you’ll find the hotel nestling at the end of a typical Devon country lane with superb views.

For lunch we had asked the chef to prepare a sample menu from the Bistro selection and this was served in the comfortable surroundings of the Bar. We enjoyed the Meze plate of Parma Ham, Hummus, Artichoke and Sun Blushed Tomato; Seared Brixham Scallops with Crispy Parma Ham & Baby Leaves and the Warm Crispy Duck with Langdon court Mixed Leaf Salad & Hot New Potatoes to start followed by Marinated Breast of Carver Chicken with a Pea Risotto; Honey Roasted Sausages with Creamed Mash Potatoes & a Rich Jus and Grilled Sirloin Steak with Hand Cut Chips and Dressed Leaf Salad. All beautifully presented and full of flavor and nicely rounded off with coffee and the most delicious handmade petit fours I have ever tasted! We could easily have whiled away the afternoon in situ and would highly recommend you do if you get the opportunity!

For our evening visit, we enjoyed the most fantastic evening of food and wine at the Hotel’s Spring Menu dinner and wine tasting evening. This is a superb, 7 course meal accompanied by 7 different fine wines handpicked by resident wine expert Donald Hodgart. Diners came together in the Bar for Chef’s hot and cold Canapés which were just sublime! For me the Tempura of Tiger Prawns with sweet Plum Sauce were to die for! And the Beef Tartare on edible pastry Spoons - just brilliant! Accompanied by a delicious glass (or two) of Prosecco Prima Perla it was a fantastic start to the evening!

On moving into the perfect setting of the Dining Room Donald took over and proceeded to explain the choices of wine and food we were to enjoy over the course of the evening and I have to say it was extremely entertaining. The way in which he detailed the reasoning behind the selected wines and how they complimented the dishes was excellent. Too many times these things can become a bit of a bore and actually interfere with the enjoyment of a night out with friends and a good meal – not so here! It would take up too much room to go detail each of the 7 courses, suffice it to say we enjoyed the most delicious array of food all prepared to perfection and wonderfully accompanied by superb wines! Donald also gives you the opportunity to place an order for the wines if you enjoyed them at very, very competitive prices delivered to your door! For example the Santa Ema Sauvingnon Blanc 2008, a particular favourite with our party at only £6.35! But you have to be there to benefit from this!

The next food and wine evening to sample the Summer Menu is on 2nd June and at only £39.95 per person including all wines it really is excellent value! Booking is essential and I’d advise getting in quickly!

The Langdon Court organises many different event evenings including popular Murder Mysteries so it is worth checking out their website to see what’s coming up if you’re looking for that ‘something’ extra. If it’s just good food and beautiful
surroundings for lunch or dinner then they’re ready and waiting to welcome you – just remember to say we sent you!
Bon Appétit!

RESTAURANT AT LANGDON