Why not make the most of the longer evenings with a visit to The Elephant’s Nest Inn at Horndon on Dartmoor. Diners can enjoy a new summer menu whilst savouring a refreshing glass of Otter Bright ale and watching the pub team play a game of cricket as the sun slips behind the rolling hills and tors.

The specials board is updated daily with starters to include smoked local trout fillets with a horseradish sauce, fresh seafood or crab salad, Lizzie’s steak salad, seared fresh Brixham scallops with diced chorizo. For mains why not sample one of the authentic Italian pasta dishes with homemade sauces, including Puttanesca, Vongole and Carbonara or linger over spatchcock poussin with garlic, rosemary and lemon juice. Round off the experience with deserts ‘to die for’ including Eton mess with local berries, elderflower and raspberry jelly or Salcombe ice creams.

Ingredients include beef from local herds that has had a minimum of 21 days maturing; lamb and pork also from local farms; fish that is delivered fresh – never frozen – from St Ives and Brixham daily; marvellous and varied English cheeses from Tavistock and Cornish fruit and vegetables.

After a day’s exploring on Dartmoor you can look forward to a hearty meal and one of the most comfortable beds in the south west in one of three luxury en suite rooms at the Elephant’s Nest. And with its own cricket ground adjacent to the pub and a full programme of fixtures for the summer, it’s a great way to while away the long evenings.

For more details contact: 01822 810273

www.elephantsnest.co.uk

Who’d Have Thought It… one of the 50 best country pubs in Britain according to The Independents Information magazine last Saturday (26.06.2010).The Independents Rhiannon Batten ‘locates the best venues to quench the thirst amid the best of British scenery’. The Who’d Have Thought It Inn, Milton Combe is recommended as one of the top 12 country pubs in Britain for a weekender away.

‘This ancient Devon pub is a hit with both locals and travellers. The food ticks all the right boxes (locally sourced, lovingly cooked) without being fussy, the bar serves good wines and real ales and the bedrooms are cossetingly restful – all for a decent price.’

A welcome surprise to landlords Chris Lisney and Ruth Linford who completed the renovation of the 16^th century hayloft into bed and breakfast accommodation last June.

‘We only found out on the Saturday morning when a customer of ours called up to congratulate us, it’s a great achievement and we are very pleased.’

Rooms are available at The Who’d Have Thought It Inn from £75 per night including breakfast.

Contact Chris or Ruth on 01822 853313 for more information

www.whodhavethoughtitdevon.co.uk

In response to customer demand for fine food on the ‘go’ Squid Ink is introducing a fine dining deli service.

Discerning food lovers will now be able to pre-order or pop in and select from a range of squid ink best selling dishes ‘to go’, showcased in our new delicatessen, all hand made and prepared from scratch on the premises.

Using stylish recycled and biodegradable packaging we can box up your meal/s for you to eat alfresco right away or to take home and enjoy at your leisure. If you are visiting Looe for the day we can keep your food chilled at the restaurant until you are ready to collect it. The flexi-dining service will operate throughout the day and be available until 6.30pm each evening.

Budding chefs will also be able to purchase interesting fish & seafood inspired ingredients for their own culinary creations and selected Squid Ink foodie gifts & products will make unique and unusual presents.

For further information please call 01503 262674.

Or visit our website www.squid-ink.biz