Topsham, Devon

longjohnsilver

longjohnsilver

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For those of you who make it up the Exe there are plenty of pubs and restaurants in Topsham, the Passagehouse has great views, good beer and pretty good food. For atmosphere the Bridge Inn cannot be beaten, best beer I've ever had, but no food. The Lighter on the quay is an ok all round pub.

If you want a really good meal hop on the train to Exton, about 3 minutes away and go to the Puffing Billy, 1 minute walk from the station, recently taken over and changed back to a very smart pub/restaurant with really excellent inexpensive food. Had a black bream last Sunday, best fish I've ever had in any eatery, £8-95!!!

Had another fish dish last night, again excellent. Mussels for starter were great but puds not so good, but i didn't have one, that came from my partner!

Now totally hooked, would eat there every day if I could!
 
On your recommendation we tried the Puffing Billy at Exton last night and I am afraid will have to disagree.










The puds were really good too. Now seriously thanks for the posting as we would not have known about it otherwise. Four people, three courses each and no complaints. Monkfish wrapped in bacon mmm!
 
They might recognise me but only because we've been there a few times. But would I admit to being a sad git, my partners description of me/this forum, certainly not!!
 
Puffing Billy

Sadly have to report probably the worst meal I've ever been served there last week.

Starter was supposed to be a smoked trout mousse on some sort of hard bread base. It was about the same size as an old crown coin and about 1" high and tasted of absolutely nothing at all. All for the very reasonable price of £5-25!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Then I had plaice in a parsley and lemon butter. Well they must have had a surplus of lemons as that was all I could taste. And the plaice had about 2 mouthfuls of meat on it, not that I would have recognised either the flavour or texture of the fish. And all this with the "chef" bellowing out "service" at the top of his voice every few minutes. The kitchen is one of those opening directly onto the restaurant.

I ate virtually nothing all day and was really looking forward to my meal based on past experiences. I left having had a few slices of bread and butter only to find the local chippy was shut! I was not a happy chappy. And yes i did tell them what I thought of the food and no I won't be returning.

What a real shame, I really rated the place before this. The only good thing was my partners duck was Ok ish but the sweet wasn't up to much but wasn't downright awful. And it's now very expensive, even after they took off the starters and my main course it still cost the best part of £50 for1 main and 1 sweet + drinks (& I was only drinking beer)/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Re: Puffing Billy

Must have been fish and chip and 20 pints then. How the hell can you spend more than a tenner on a meal. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Proper Holands steak pudding, chips and gravey, only cost about £2-50 up here.
 
Re: Puffing Billy

If I send you a stamp could you post a portion down to me? Mind you I need it for tonite as I'm supposed to be feeding myself........................
 
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