The Primitivo Pheasant

The Salutation Inn, Topsham, currently my favourite special-occasion eatery in the Exeter area. Having both casual and fine dining options, its a popular foodie haunt that always serves great food and I love it. As it was K's birthday treat, we went for his choice: the 8 course tasting menu with matching wine flight. No negotiations. We chose to not see the menu either, so each course was a surprise! Starting off on comfy sofas in the sitting room we had three canapés (I forgot to take a picture as I was too hungry and excited): a cheese puff with hazelnut, a trout aranchini ball and duck pate. Drinks-wise I had a classic Champagne cocktail (delicious, how have I never tried this before!) the others had: a Negroni, a Pink Gin and a simple tonic water. Shortly we were ushered into the dining room where the friendly sommelier greeted us and talked about the first wine, without giving away exactly what the first dish was. The wine was a Marcus Molitor 2014 Riesling. The fo...

Date night and the destination of Hotel Du Vin, Exeter. Surely that calls for a Chateaubriand? First things first, we need some wine. Looking through not just the wine list but the wine book, (a hotel with a name like that, you've got to have a good wine selection!) we were after a Chateauneuf du Pape. After not finding one, we spoke to the sommelier who quickly assured us there were some similar options we may be pleasantly surprised by. On his recommendation we chose the 2014 Gigondas, also from the Southern Rhone area, and what a delight it was! Rich, intense and very drinkable. I'd definitely choose it again. Both opting for shellfish starters, I went for the roasted tiger prawns with pastis and chilli butter. They were lovely, big and juicy with the chilli adding a bit of a kick. K went for the scallops ceviche, which of course I tasted! (I'd only ever had scallops cooked before so was intrigued) They were not as I expected, having a milder fishy taste than thei...