The Oddfellows, situated at the top of Exmouth’s High Street in what used to be The Heavitree, is an independent gastro-pub that has recently opened following the success of their Exeter restaurant of the same name. Providing delicious food and with an enticing cocktail bar, it’s rapidly becoming one of the go to places for both evening drinks and dining in the town.
Even before stepping inside you know you’re in for a treat; its vibrant yet chilled atmosphere obvious from the outset as you make your way to the freshly decorated and welcoming exterior. Having visited The Oddfellows restaurant in Exeter, I had already experienced their signature eclectic décor, but I was still surprised as I walked through the door to see cuckoo clocks hung over William Morris wallpaper and miniature Victorian comic sketches sat comfortably alongside Art Deco mirrors. The interior style is captivating, really begging for your attention while being easily absorbed so as not to be distracting.
The restaurant floor is divided into several smaller dining areas which gives a sense of being cosy whilst still being inclusive, and also boasts an open kitchen for a kitchen theatre experience – a chance to watch your food being prepared and cooked which I really loved! With the addition of bi-fold doors along one whole wall onto an outdoor seating area, you can imagine enjoying the summer sun during a lunch or evening meal.
There are a number of special evening deals throughout the week including Tuesday night Mussels night, steak night and it’s highly revered Sunday roast. The restaurant also prides itself on integrating with the community, hosting art evenings in its cocktail bar for locals to come along and entertain fellow guests with comedy, poetry and more.
Having settled down to peruse the mouth-watering menu, our waiter, Jonno, was immensely helpful in guiding us through the number of delectable dishes, being happy to mix and match what was available – nothing was too much trouble. The menu offered a sufficient variety to please almost anyone’s palate, including English classics with a modern twist, as well as catering comprehensively to vegetarian and vegan requirements.
We were looking forward to our meal with great anticipation and were not disappointed. Our starters of the House Peppered Smoked Salmon, £6, and Charred Goats Cheese with Heritage Beets and Radish, £6.50, arrived beautifully presented. My wife particularly enjoyed the combination of the cheese and beetroot – the sweet and sour blending perfectly.
I can never resist a steak and so when I spotted the 14oz T-bone Steak, £25, on the specials board I simply couldn’t say no. Served on a large, rustic board with triple cooked chips and roasted vine tomatoes, the steak was cooked just as requested, but I was once again tricked into thinking it was smaller than it was. This seems to be the case at most restaurants I visit now, large portions served on even larger dishes to make them look smaller than they are – it catches me out every time!
My wife opted for the Mushroom Wellington with Fondant Potatoes and Red Pepper Sauce, £12, which delighted with an amazing combination of flavours and textures, again presented beautifully to add to the overall feel of the evening.
We finished off our meal by indulging in the Oddfellows’ very own take on an English classic – the Eton Mess. Aptly renamed as ‘The Odd Mess,’ £5.50, this luxurious mix of meringue, fruit purée and cream made for a light yet tempting dessert, followed up with a coffee for good measure.
Whether you’re looking to start off an evening out with some kooky cocktails, or are looking for good quality local produce cooked just right, the Exmouth Oddfellows is certainly one to add to the list.
Words & photos: Paul Veysey
Visit The Oddfellows online at: www.theoddfellowsbar.co.uk
