Friday 18 May 2012

A Little River Cottage Canteen Appetiser...



As some of you will know I was off for a few days down to East Devon in England for a short break last week. The main purpose of which was to attend The Vegetable Cookery Course at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’ River Cottage Farm HQ. I’ll write more about the actual course in my next post but just as appetiser I thought I would tell you a little about my visit to his restaurant/deli, The River Cottage Canteen in Axminster...

Axminster  is a typical old Devon market town in east Devon situated rather  serendipitously on the river Axe. 

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Axminster


Once famous for making Axminster carpets, it seems most enquiries by tourists nowadays are about where to park in order to visit the River Cottage Canteen and what are the chances of actually seeing the great man himself!!

A quick mention about the lovely B & B that I stayed at-Water Mill House Axminster.


I would certainly highly recommend it as I had a very comfortable nights sleep and the owners Ruth and Tim were very welcoming. The room was immaculate and little touches like having your own pint of fresh milk in a little fridge on the landing meant you could help yourself to tea and coffee at anytime and there was even my favourite Earl Grey!


And now on to the River Cottage Canteen...


 
Of course it has its own website


Having read on the website that it was advisable to book for Sunday lunch I duly did so. As it happens, I had a speedy journey down to Axminster and arrived much earlier than I anticipated. I drove through the town centre and completely missed the restaurant which is right in the centre of the town. The town though is not terribly large and as I realised I was in fact by then on the way out I immediately pulled into a large car park which thankfully, being a Sunday, was free. Even better was to discover that The Canteen was less than 5 minutes walk away...

And so I had finally arrived! Albeit over an hour early than I had booked for...

 I saw the blackboard outside saying they were fully booked and rather than kill time I thought I would take a chance and ask if I could have an earlier table. 

As soon as you entered, the staff were very welcoming and upon explaining I was far too early for my booked table they assured me that was not a problem and showed me to my table at the front of the restaurant. The restaurant interior is what perhaps some might call ‘rustic’ with plain tables but with shelves clearly promoting the River Cottage brand and books from a certain author.


 
I did note, rather  cynically I have to say, the casually placed sacks of Shipton Mill Flour ‘left’ on the counter which were never removed whilst I was there...

The menu was as follows,


 
I had been warned by friends that it was a bit on the pricy side but was very pleasantly surprised. My waitress, or am I supposed to call her my server nowadays, was clearly very enthusiast about the food. She recommended the Speltotto which was a risotto cooked with Spelt which she enthused as being ultra healthy . However as I had cooked a risotto only a few day previously and I already know and cook with Spelt so don’t need to be introduced to this I declined and went for the Grilled Wye Valley Asparagus on toast with goat’s curd and Wild Garlic Gremolata. As she said it came with a salad I declined any sides. And for a starter it had to be The Trio of Hummus with flat bread and Dukka. I remembered this from the television programme and despite not liking beetroot wanted to try it!

Whilst I was waiting for my meal, I took a couple of photos of the wonderful cheese deli counter which was just in front of my table. 


Now before you all jump up and down that I took undue advantage with taking a photo of an employee caught reading a book might I just say she was reading it throughout my visit in-between serving customers and I had specifically asked if I could take a photo and she quite knowingly took up her book as I took the photos...in fact she said after, they are quite used to visitors taking photos of everything there...

And then on to my first course...



 
I have to say this was absolutely wonderful!!

There was an ordinary hummus, a mushroom hummus and a beetroot hummus. The amounts of each to be honest, were a little on the skimpy side and served with little pieces of flat bread. The Dukka added a lively note to the beetroot and the crispy onion was delicious on the mushroom hummus. All three were delicious though I have to admit the beetroot one was a very definite and unexpected hit. Truly delicious though I would have preferred more-much more!

And then on to the main course...

I had ordered the asparagus and it duly arrived. Now I have to admit straight away I did not take a photo of the said dish. The reason being I was waiting for the rest of it to arrive as it came without the promised toast and wild garlic gremolata. I waited...and waited...I tried to catch the eye of my server and then any server but without any success. As the menu had been removed I could only rely on my memory that these were supposed to be with it so in the end I simply ate it as it was. The grilled asparagus was delicious and the soft fresh goats cheese rather nice. The promised salad was a few salad leaves. Whilst I have to say the grilled asparagus was good this by no means felt like a main dish. The 6 or so asparagus spears eaten with a little of the fresh cheese and a leaf or two of little lettuce leaves was gone in a trice.

 Of course, once I had finished my server then reappeared and enquired how much I liked it! Feeling like an absolute heel in all this River Garden Cottage bonhomie I sheepishly admitted that it had not been what I had expected and bravely stated that I thought as a main course it had been rather insubstantial. My server let the shock show on her face and said that of course they could not bear a customer to be disappointed and would I like another course instead. She brought back the menu and as I didn’t want to go through the whole rigmarole of having a mains again she suggested a cheese board to make up the disappointment which I happily agreed to. With the menu in front of me again I could see that I had not received the promised toast and gremolata with my main course. She rushed back to confer with her colleagues and on returning said it was the kitchen’s fault as they had not informed the front of house staff that there was a change. Unfortunately her manner then clearly implied that they were then exonerated.  She directed me to the deli counter to choose my cheese. Unfortunately once there the girl behind the counter was confused why I had been asked to choose a cheese board and not the one sole cheese for desert. However she did direct me to two rather nice cheeses-Haytor and Sheepstor and I had a generous wedge of each. 


 
On my way back carrying myself it to the table my server did offer me a glass of wine which I thought was a generous gesture given the circumstances and duly accepted.

Unfortunately I then had to wait a while before the wine and then the promised chutney arrived.

Again a long wait until I could ask for the bill. Once it did arrive my server announced she had not charged for the cheese however on looking at the bill they had charged for the main course and the glass of wine which I had thought was complimentary!! Despite trying to catch the eye of any server and waiting a long, long time in the end I was so cross I simply left the money on the table and walked out...

I had been so looking forward to my meal at the River Cottage Canteen and it had started off so well...however it is probably my own fault for expecting it to be more than it was...however in my own defence I was not expecting fine dining but just good plates of food and to have an enjoyable Sunday lunch. The bonus was to be the ‘celebrity’ link to the place I was eating at.

In the event I fear, my temerity in voicing a criticism, however justified resulted in final feelings of disappointment and hunger...

Still, I had the River Cottage Cookery course to look forward to the next day...


38 comments:

  1. What tragic! I would have been appalled. Thats very rude to not inform you when you ordered your main that a part of it wouldn't be arriving. And it looks like they tricked you into buying that wine.

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    1. Hi Sri,

      Well at least I can say I’ve been there...and the food which I did have was delicious!

      Delete
  2. Your experience summarises very succinctly why Jane and I do not very often eat out: the service and organisation aspecare of most restaurants is frankly appalling and you often get very small quantities of something that is no better than you could make yourself at a MUCH smaller price. More people ought to complain!
    Still, at least you had some nice food - eventually. The business with the free/not free glass of wine was very sneaky. Like you, I would have assumed it was offered free as a conciliatory gesture.
    And why is it that getting the bill is so often the hardest part of all???

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    1. Oh I agree!! I hate complaining as you then get stressed about how they will deal with a complaint and that hardly adds to having a relaxing meal. You are absolutely right Mark-eating at home is far cheaper, you get as much food as you expect to and I never have a complaint about the service...

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  3. I supoose it was a disappointment after all the hype about these places - although the food did look nice - to a non-vegetarian! Perhaps this was just one of their off-days. Hope you enjoyed the course.

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    1. Hi Elaine,

      Yes I was pleased with the veggie choices although the funny thing was that another customer said afterwards that she thought there was too many veggie dishes and surely ‘even vegetarians’ would want to eat meat for a Sunday lunch...

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  4. the food looks lovely shame there wasn't more, and that the experience wasn't as relaxed and enjoyable as hoped for. However on the positive you have finally eaten something with beetroot and liked it yeah!

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  5. Well, I don't know the reasoning behind this being a great place to go but it doesn't look that impressive to me. We are rather particular about service here too. She better not be reading a book, my drink better not be empty and the check should be there as soon as she thinks the meal is winding down or her tip will be a good bit less. However! the cheese looks wonderful! We don't have cheese in restaurants like that here and we really don't have good cheese.
    And I do want to say that never have I really wanted to visit the UK (is that right? Britian/England? Sorry, I don't know what the differences are) but you you bloggers have really got me interested in it and I think I would love to visit there. I have seen so many interesting things on the blogs that are in England that I would like to see! Not necessarily this restaurant, lol, but it still intrigues me. I really must find out what hummus is, lol....

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    1. Hi Becky,

      Oh I loved your comments!! One of the joys I’ve found of blogging is to have the opportunity to stand back and look at things anew and to share with others. I really enjoy reading your blog to see how things are in your part of the world too!

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  6. It sounds like Faulty Towers! I can't believe an employee/waitress/server would be allowed to stand there reading a book in front of customers. Clearly there were things she could have been doing like concentrating on what customers had ordered. The staff seem inadequately trained and there must be confusion in the kitchen because six asparagus spears is not a main course, it's barely an entree and so how could the plated dish leave the pass unfinished? I hope the cookery course met with your expectations xx

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    1. Hi Charlie,

      I know what you mean!! I had been astonished watching her reading and then when I asked to take a photo and she knowingly picked up her book again-I was a ‘little surprised’...and as for the cookery course...I let you all know in due course...let us just say we learnt about how even a carrot goes on a journey...and not just a physical one...

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  7. That was a rather skimpy meal. How fat/huge were the asparagus spears? To me that is more like a side than a main course.
    Looking forward to hearing about the course.

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    1. Hi Norma,

      Yes it’s not often (thankfully) that you are left feeling hungry after having both a starter and your mains!!

      Delete
  8. Sorry it wasn't all its should have been but reading about it was really enjoyable. In Australia most restaurants and all cafes have a register where you go and pay - it certainly beats all those interminable waits for the bill! That is a part of eating out in the UK that I definitely do not miss.

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    1. Hi Liz,

      Oh well-at least I can laugh about the experience now!!

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  9. Too bad your experience was less than stellar. It's a service industry. I dislike it when they act as though you are privileged to “be allowed” to dine there. Being a pushy American ;) I would asked to speak with the manager. The wine should have been comped or at least made explicit it was not.

    At least what you ate was good!

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    1. Hi David,

      Yes the vegetable hummus was truly delicious and one I shall now try to make at home-the rest-well I’ll try and be more assertive if it happens again-but knowing me I probably won’t be!!

      Delete
  10. So sorry to hear f your unsatisfying experience. It's a shame when a place gets by on reputation alone, charging high proces for small portions and poor service. The fact that the young woman woking the cheese counter didn't mind being photographed reading a book speaks volumes.

    And what is it about offering cheese as a means of making up for some sort of failure in service? I've a friend with whom I travel and, if problems arise with a reservation or accommodations, the joke is to "hold-out" until the cheese platter appears. Sure enough, when we return after a day of sight-seeing, there will be a cheese platter in one of our rooms -- and sometimes wine in the other!

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    Replies
    1. Hi John,

      I did giggle hearing about ‘holding out for the cheese platter’!!!

      Delete
  11. "Pricey side"? Pft, if your friends think that's pricey they should come and see some of the prices of most of the standard places here. If I could have food like this, for this price every time I went to a restaurant I'd be in heaven - it looks fantastic... I love the idea of of the hummus trio (is it really a "hummus" in the true definition of the word if it's made with beets or mushrooms though?) - do you have any idea how they were made... I'd love to try and recreate them, though I agree, the portions of those seemed a bit on the skimpy side. As someone who can wade through a bowl of hummus with great gusto, I'd find three small clumps rather unfortunate.

    Looks like a wonderful eating experience though. I'll have to remember this when I'm next in England. I don't think Axminster is *that* far away from where my parents live... maybe an hour and a half?

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    1. Hi Charles,

      I think Axminster will be fairly close by so worth a trip out there to try it-just make sure you know exactly what you are going to get when you order!

      I’ve found the recipe for a similar beetroot hummus from Hugh online for you so you can give it a go...we made a carrot version on the cookery course and I’ll certainly be making it again with other vegetables-first up with sweet corn I think...

      http://www.channel4.com/4food/recipes/chefs/hugh-fearnley-whittingstall/beetroot-and-walnut-hummus-recipe

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    2. Thanks GD - I somehow managed to completely miss the part in your post about the unfortunate occurrences when I read it early... that's a real bummer - I'd still love to try it though. I think generally it must be ok, but there can always be problems. Thanks for the link - sounds awesome :D

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  12. What a shame your experience was not as positive as you had hopes for. The food looked tasty enough, but then again, how can one screw up a cheese plate.

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    1. Hi Eva,

      The food was good and tasty-just would have been nice to have had more!

      Delete
  13. I enjoy your writing so very much. You really should write a book. So put me down for a copy...lol I mean it...

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  14. I have always wanted to go! After seeing the menu and the food it's exactly as I expected and sounds great, shame about the service.

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    1. Thank for stopping by! Yes I would go back again for the food- at least the second time I would know what to expect!

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  15. It is such a shame when a restaurant doesn't live up to its reputation. Management is definitely at fault when a dish goes out incomplete, the help is reading a book and you can't get anyone to help with a problem or pay a bill. The hummus did look great but a tiny portion.

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    1. Hi Karen,

      Many thanks for stopping by!
      The hummus was rather scrumptious-just would have appreciated more...much more...

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  16. the experience is real bad though the food looks appetizing

    Tasty Appetite

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    1. Hi Jay,

      Thanks for kindly leaving a comment-the food was tasty!

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  17. Oh wow this is so insightful (and a little daunting too - you know why). I am so sorry that your experience at the Canteen was not satisfactory. I have to admit I would have been shocked at the worker behind the counter reading. I think the prices here are reasonable, but disappointed for you that the amounts were measly. I have seen trio of hummus on menus before, namely at veggie restaurants - so its interesting to see a mainstream place doing it.

    I am looking forward to reading about the cookery class.

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    1. Hi Shaheen,

      Thanks so much for kindly stopping by my blog-lovely to hear from you!
      I’m absolutely sure that should I search out locally in the nearby future I would have the most wonderful meal!!

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  18. Oh dear, sounds like the Canteen was far too lax on the service end of things! I used to think I only dined out for the food, but have come to realize how much the front of the house does matter — no matter how good the food is, I'd be reluctant to return to a place with so little regard for its diners. Thank-you for sharing the experience, and with such good cheer intact! I'm hoping the cookery course is an improvement...

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    1. Many thanks for taking the time to stop by. I’m with you in wanting/expecting good service nowadays as it is all part of the ‘experience’ of the meal.

      Just finishing up writing about the cookery course experience now...

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  19. Hi Charles,

    Do take your parents there as I’m sure you will have a fab time. Just make sure you book ahead to ensure a table and get lots of ‘sides’...
    Do also have a go with the hummus. One thing I have found is that it is better the next day as the ingredients benefit from having time to ‘mellow’ together...

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