North Devon
Northcote Manor

Northcote Manor

A377, EX37 9LZ, North Devon, United Kingdom

Tea • Lunch • Coffee • British


"I had brought a gift voucher for my in-laws who due to health couldn’t use it. We therefore were asked to use it and so after paying 100 went online and chose this venue as a special treat and were informed it required an additional 80 to go here. Due to the reviews we decided to make a weekend so booked into a local B&B for another additional cost as it’s an hour and a half from where we live. Expectations based on cost and knowing we had additional costs for wine etc meant this was not a regular night out. I then rang to book a night as the site said bar Christmas Day etc any night was available. My first call I was told I couldn’t book Friday,Saturday or Sunday which now meant my other half needed to take annual leave however when I rang the next time I was told we could come on a Saturday. We booked in and on arrival found 2 people backs to us behind the bar and stood and waited for at least a minute or two before anyone acknowledged us. We were then told to make our way to an area to order an ore drink. I passed the plinth which had the 3 course set menu 55 per person) on and only about 5-6 bookings all guests apart from us. We were given said menu for 3 courses although our vouchers were for 4 and noted a limited option of 4 choices for starter, main and dessert and a dish of the day for each. I explained when they came that we had paid for 4 and was told we would get that . During the meal I noted that the guests had same menu and same addition hor’dorves as us so actually no different. Bread was ok then 3 dessert full spoons of a bland soup that I had to ask what it was. Starter looked great but was unseasoned and just no flavour and bland. Main was good but unseasoned again. I advised about seasoning issue and when asked I was told the chef didn’t season as he leaves it up to guests to season as levels can vary ! I was always told a chef would be disappointed if a person added more as it meant they hadn’t got it right. The dessert was the best but I then decided to compare the cost of our meal and wine against a meal we had earlier this year at Kota in Porthleven Michelin star). Their 6 courses including paired wine is 119.50 so 239.50 . Cost for 4 courses here with wine was 250 and was absolute no where near as good. Service and overall experience was disappointing at best . Tegan our waitress was nice though. Place is lovely but walk from car park is not ideal at night as limited lighting. Seems to be living on past rosette awards. As it was a Saturday night it can’t be the chefs night off. I’ll be interested if they respond ."