There’s something magical about stepping into a country house at Christmas time. Where large fireplaces fill characterful rooms, crackling fires create the cosy atmosphere and beautiful trees are decorated to perfection.
I had of course heard of The Polizzi Collection and their gorgeous Devon hotel, so we were thrilled to be invited to try their new festive lunch menu.
We visited on a Saturday lunchtime and relished the winding Devon lanes that weaved down the Tamar Valley towards the hotel. Hotel Endsleigh can be found tucked away in the small village of Milton Abbot. The enchanting Grade I listed house was built in the early 19th Century and is set within 108 acres of beautiful gardens overlooking the Tamar River.
The hotel was everything we’d hoped it would be with sumptuous fabrics, bold prints, pops of colour and the elegant charm you’d expect from an old country manor. We arrived a little early so were invited to take a drink in one of the drawing rooms.
We settled on a sofa next to a toasty fire where I enjoyed a glass of Prosecco whilst the other half had a bottle of Hunter’s Old Charlie Ale that had been brewed in Devon. Our order was swiftly taken, and we were escorted into the dining room as soon as our meal was ready (I could have stayed in front of the fire for hours, but lunch was calling!)
Lunch was served in the original paneled dining room and our table had gorgeous views over the garden. The three-course festive lunch menu is a feast for the senses, with four delicious options for each course (I could have eaten all of it!)
We started our lunch with warm homemade bread accompanied with soft whipped butter. Both were utterly delicious and, for me, the perfect start to any lunch.
For our starters we chose the local venison and black pudding scotch egg, tartar sauce, dukkha spice and the Creedy Carver chicken liver parfait, spiced port jelly, fig jam, roasted sourdough. Both plates were beautifully presented and utterly delicious… I felt very smug as I had saved an extra piece of bread to smother with parfait.
For our mains we decided on Dartmoor red-legged partridge, charcuterie and potato terrine, braised red cabbage, rosemary and juniper sauce and spiced pork tenderloin, braised pork cheek, roast cauliflower, baby leeks, champ mash, all accompanied with a smooth Pinot Noir. To finish, we were both tempted by the chocolate dessert. Malt chocolate and chestnut parfait, clementine sorbet, cocoa nib tuile. The bright clementine sorbet a striking contrast to the rich glossy chocolate.
A pot of coffee and homemade mince pies finished our festive feast before we headed out into the grounds to wander around the beautiful Humphrey Repton designed gardens.
The house and grounds were impeccable, a real hidden gem on the edge of the moor. The team were incredibly attentive and welcoming, and I can’t wait to return in the new year… I have my eye on the afternoon tea.
The Details
Hotel Endsleigh Festive Lunch
Three-course lunch served daily until 23rd December
£40 per person
Visit Hotel Endsleigh for more details and to book
