Rusty Pig, Ottery St Mary, Devon
This lovely feasting house in Ottery St Mary has its roots deep in the owner’s vision for a sustainable and ethical way of eating that supports local farmers and producers and makes very little waste. So dishes are created around what’s in season, what’s available in the local area, including in the hedgerows and woods.
The thing is, dining at Rusty Pig is an experience, not just something you do because you need a bite to eat. The two areas of the house are quite different – downstairs is more communal and sociable, upstairs it’s individual tables for dinner, or you can book the whole room if you’ve something to celebrate. There’s even a small outdoor dining area with views over the rooftops to the town church.
What you won’t get is a menu; instead, the chef will come out and tell you what you’re eating and where it’s come from. To give you an idea of what you might get, previous dishes have included Boston beans and cuttlefish to start, rib eye steak for mains and chocolate fondant for pud. Or there’s Celeriac 4 Ways, pig cheek and ham terrine, and beef stew with maple carrot puree.
They also have their own charcuterie where you can buy cooked and air dried meats produced on site. Go.
Open: Weds-Sat 9.30 am-11.00 pm Sun & Tues 9.30 am-3.00 pm Closed Monday
T: 01404 815580 All information correct at the time of