Restaurant review - The Merry Harriers, Westcott, Devon

Having a 'local'...

It's one of those things that is increasingly hard to do when you live in a city. And it's one of the things that we love about living in Devon. There are 3 or 4 pubs within 5 miles of where we live where we are recognised and the welcome is warm.

None more so though than our favourite of them all: The Merry Harriers.

And it's about time that I reviewed them really because, warm welcome aside, their consistently great food is the main reason that we go there.

This country pub really is more of an eatery now that happens to serve drinks too and it is perfect for it.

We discovered it when having work done at our cottage and I effectively had no working kitchen. It's fair to say we went there 3 or 4 times a week. We got to know the lovely landlord and his wife - John and Lynn and they looked after us as only a true local can and would.

The vegetarian options on the main menu are limited to 4 or 5 items - but, bless them, once they knew of our predicament they began adding veggie options to their specials and if we called in advance (or even en-spec quite a few times) they would cook something different, just for us.

You just can't get service like that in so many 'chain' owned pubs these days and we knew then that the Harriers would forever be our local.

And so it was that after racking our brains for somewhere different to go for an evening meal last Sunday, we gave up and resorted to this good old favourite. Boy were we glad we did as it turned out they have extended their veggie offering for the Sunday menu and we tried two new main meals whilst they keenly waited for our opinion.

We ordered:

Cheesy garlic bread & 

deep fried brie to begin with...

Homemade nut roast with roast potatoes, seasonal veg and vegetarian gravy & 

homemade spinach and ricotta filled ravioli with a roasted red pepper sauce and salad...

The first thing to say about the Harriers is that all of the food is freshly prepared - sometimes there is a little wait (15-20 minutes or so) but its worth it to get piping hot, fresh food cooked to order for you. AND joy of joy, the plates are always piping hot too (regular readers will know cold plates are a bug bear of mine).

The cheesy garlic bread was (as ever) delicious. Really garlicky and really cheesy and NB this is a pub that knows about veggie cheese - so all is OK with this. I could eat bowlfuls of it quite easily and die a happy woman.

Dave loved the Brie because it was properly cooked and gooey and came with a delicious relish and a large crisp mixed salad (not some wilted after thought, like so many places serve).

My roast consisted of 3 slices of the nut roast, 4 roasties, a yorkie, onion gravy and a side dish of FIVE different veg! The nut roast was one of the best (if not THE best) I have ever had. Just the right texture and really tasty. Potatoes were fab and the veg is a joy because its just wonderful to have that kind of variety.

I have to say that Dave's pasta was incredible. John had been worried that they had rolled the pasta a little too thick - but we felt that it was just right as the parcels were actually full of filling (very rare when you buy ready made) and had held together perfectly when cooked and the sauce was rich, piquant and yummy! Now Dave, is not a pasta man. He felt that he should try this new dish as they had made such a great effort and even he said he would order it again in a flash. Result.

[p.s. note the sneaky portion of chips that Dave ordered when I wasn't listening! can't blame him though, Harriers chips are to die for and a few of them found their way onto my plate!]

 

[another quick note: As you can see from the photos, the only downside to eating at the Harriers is that the portions are so generous that we can never make it to dessert - and the desserts are also homemade and sound wonderful. One of these days I'm going to go in and just have pud. Maybe even two.]

I should mention also, as in all of my reviews, the ambiance. Well, its laid back and relaxed. The greeting is always warm, John and all the staff always have a little chat with you and dogs are welcome - as long as their owners are well behaved...

The pub has a small bar and then a bar lounge area where you can also eat and sit next to the open log fire on a cold day, as well as a more formal dining area where a mix of tables allow them to cater for couples having a quiet romantic meal or groups of friends enjoying a lively chat. It's the perfect combination.

And where else could you go where not only does the landlord serve a fine tipple and some fine fayre with a helping of warmth and friendliness, but also fixes your bike?! (he was helping a lady customer in trouble with hers)

So here's to our local - thank you for the welcome and for making the effort to offer more vegetarian food.

"You know you want to go where everybody knows your naaaaame, la la la la and you're always glad you caaaaame, la la la - you wanna go where people know, people are all the saaame, you wanna go where everybody knows your name - la la la la la la...  " [theme tune to Cheers in case you were wondering - yes it does show my age!]

Chantal xx