Whitehouse

Eating

Food is simple, imaginative and above all tasty. Co-owner and chef Ally Wray uses as much locally sourced produce as possible (most of the meat comes from surrounding farms, and the huge fresh crabs are from nearby Start Bay). The informal dining room overlooks the terrace and gardens. It's light and airy with beams and chandeliers aloft, and oak flooring underfoot. In warm weather they open French doors and you can eat outside. The place settings are pretty; we liked the different-coloured water glasses.

Breakfast is excellent and thoughtfully runs until 11ish. Homemade mueslis in Kilner jars, warm pastries, thick yoghurt and delicious poached fruits in elderflower are laid out on a butcher's block. But it was the tempting cooked menu that won us over. We recommend the grilled Salcombe "Smokie" with crispy bacon or wild mushroom and potato frittata; the sausage sarnie, Full English and boiled egg and soldiers also hit the spot. Tea and coffee are served in big mugs and there's freshly squeezed juice, too.

In the evening we kicked off dinner with a refreshing glass of fruity Prosecco served with moreish herby popcorn, then shared a tasty platter of charcuterie, pork rillettes and cornichons. Mains included sea bass with sauce vierge and wilted spinach, and chicken with a hearty bean cassoulet, though we still managed a slice of chocolate mousse cake for pud. Little ones are catered for too, with a healthy menu served around 5-6pm.

The restaurant is popular with local parties at lunchtime, especially at weekends. Drinks and snacks are available at the bar or via the in-room menu (served 11am to 11pm): perhaps a bowl of pasta or a "mezze" plate (houmous, tzatziki and toasted cumin flatbread). Complimentary cream teas are served for guests in the afternoon - Champagne, tea and scones taken in front of the fire or on the terrace. If you're going out walking or heading to the beach for the day, order one of the picnic hampers.

If you want to eat out, The Seahorse in Dartmouth (tel: 01803 835147) is highly recommended for seafood and grilled meat dishes. For pubs, we love the Millbrook Inn in nearby South Pool (tel: 01548 531581): a small, cosy pub overlooking a charming brook. Also worth a visit, for the atmosphere rather than the food, is The Pig's Nose in East Prawle (tel: 01548 511209).