It’s my birthday, and I planned the whole itinerary myself. Don’t get me wrong: I’m not complaining — just enjoying a little control over what I want to do. The reality is, you could be in a sulk if the other half didn’t pick the right restaurant, or you get to choose wherever you want to go and what to eat. Isn’t it true?
Riverford Field Kitchen
So, for this celebratory day out, we went to Riverford Field Kitchen for an organic lunch. I booked in a few weeks ahead and could only get a table outside, surrounded by greens and flowers — fantastic!
It’s a veg-focused 3-course set menu, but you can make it vegetarian or vegan by requesting in advance. We enjoyed 3 starters (three!), which I think they surpassed for the main and dessert. Beautiful organic vegetables from farm to table, straightforward cooking, only to showcase every one of them — how gorgeous they are.
Only one slight disappointment — No onsite farm shop, although we were advised to go to the nearest Ben’s Farm Shop, which is under the same Riverford family tree.
See Here for Our Set Lunch Details
- £34 per person
- Starter
- Sourdough
- Piquillo with Sweet Peppers
- Courgette, Radish and Basil Pesto
- Pickled Aubergine with Feta
- Main
- Duck Breast, Apricots, Watercress
- Cos Lettuce, Mustard and Caper Vinaigrette
- Roast Potatoes with Confit Garlic
- Dessert (choose 1 from 5 options)
- Chocolate Nemesis with Cream Fraiche
- Sticky Toffee Pudding with Custard
- Almond Polenta Cake with Blueberries and Clotted Cream
- Rhubarb and Meringue Semifreddo
- Strawberry and Custard Tart
Buckfast Abbey
To keep the mood high, we quickly caught up with my carefully curated itinerary and strolled to another tourist attraction — a 1000-year-old Buckfast Abbey — Solemn, modern and on the luxe side, with a decent-sized, well managed green garden, all comes down to taking nothing out of your pocket. The monks are certainly well off; may I whisper it?
Haytor Rocks
On the longest day of the year, the scorching sun still holds its head up high in the evening. Haytor Rocks is our next stop. Just some 280-million-year-old rocks — nothing particular — you know what I mean.
But on the way back, just at a corner of the giant Haytor rock, a fairy-tale-ish white horse stands still, as if waiting for his prince (or princess?) to begin a story-telling. I walked by closely enough, with merely 20 metres away, I saw his eyes are closed (or half-opened?), not a single movement, but only his soft mane flying in this quiet moorland. I wonder if he is dodging the heat wave.
