Press

“We encounter the hotel sign at the end of a driveway, and seconds later, a substantial country house with Georgian windows almost down to the ground…

As we check in I flip open the visitors’ book and am staggered to find a guest has compared St Elizabeth’s with his previous night stay in London, at the Mandarin Oriental Hype Park. St Elizabeth’s comes off better. “This blows it away” he has written.

The bathroom surpasses all expectation with a giant rolltop sitting in front of three windows, and a glass-encased shower with a multitude of jet options.

We begin to notice the little things: free broadband, tempting room service menu and the friendly tone of the guest information. In A to Z, letter J stands for “Just in case you’ve forgotten anything, ask us…”

No mickey-taking in the restaurant (the room with those fabulous windows). We’re seriously impressed…A note on the menu about special dietary needs is no empty claim. Everything my pal orders is altered to accommodate her allergies (with no advance warning). While I’m tucking into pan-fried brill with roasted garlic gnocchi, which come as soft flavour-packed, she’s enthusing over Ugborough beef fillet with rosti potato, aubergine puree and mushroom salsa. “Best beef in ages,” she declares “and the cleverest meal adaptation ever.” The weirdest sounding dessert- mango sorbet, passion fruit jelly and coconut rice pud- is a sublime plateful of flavours.”

Sally Shalham - The Guardian – August 2008

Mystery Menu Makes Mouth Water Even More

Five courses of quality local produce, expertly prepared and served, each dish complemented by a different wine, rounded off by coffee and hand-made chocolates…and all for under £25 a head. There has to be a catch surely? The Compromise is that you don't get to choose the food - or the date - but that actually turns out to be a bonus as you may find yourself eating something you would not normally have been tempted to try.

They can be few more enjoyable ways to spend a weekday evening and the St Elizabeth's Supper Club is a great way to meet people, because, unless you arrive in a party of six you will be seated with others who share your enthusiasm for food and wine. It's also an educational experience, as talking you through the wine is an expert from Walter Hicks wine importers. For the inaugural evening Xenia Irwin, one of the only female masters of wine in the world, managed to transmit her extensive knowledge with infectious enthusiasm, adding a new depth of pleasure as you learn why she has chosen a particular wine to complement each course.

Head Chef Stuart Downie also pops up in between courses to explain his ingredients and how he has prepared them. The first menu consisted of a mouth-watering tian of crab topped by pan-fried scallops, followed by a terrine of confit chicken, liver parfait and toasted brioche. The main course was a line-caught sea bass with a pesto risotto and lemon velouté and the dessert a raspberry bavois with miniature jam doughnuts and a white chocolate sorbet served in a brandy snap.

The final course was a Vulscombe goats' cheese with red onion chutney and walnut bread. The Supper Club next Wednesday is presenting some classic dishes to celebrate British Food Fortnight, and tickets are also going fast for November 26. A wine-tasting event is to be held in October, where a selection of taster dishes will also be served. The cost is £19.95.

St Elizabeth's House is a boutique hotel in historic Plympton St Maurice on the outskirts of Plymouth. It may only be moments from the A38 but, standing amid its own nine acres, it feels more like the countryside than the suburbs. The former convent has been tastefully refurbished.

Managing Director John Crompton said: "The future of the St Elizabeth's is looking very bright indeed. It is currently operating at 97 per cent occupancy. The business is trading incredibly well and the food and beverage is really starting to get an excellent reputation."

Western Morning News, September - Denise O'Leary

For all hotel & restaurant bookings and enquiries, please contact St Elizabeth's on 01752 344840