The Holt, Honiton

The Holt is a pub, restaurant and smokehouse, not a million miles from the brewery, owned and run by Joe & Angus, the youngest two in the McCaig tribe.

From day one the boys started out with a plan to set themselves apart from everyone else in Honiton and over the past five years that vision and commitment to quality really seems to have paid off.

The food speaks for itself. In December they won the Taste of the West award for ‘Best Gastropub in the South West' and are also now Good Food Guide, Michelin Guide, Alastair Sawday & AA recommended. But despite all the praise and awards, the vibe at The Holt remains relaxed and friendly - just as it was always intended.

The tapas is perfect for a little lunchtime grazing. Dinner menus are more sophisticated but never daunting. Gus is often referred to as Devon's very own Heston Blumenthal and his own home smoked and home cured local ingredients certainly add a real depth and an aromatic, unusual twist to menus.

In the open plan kitchen they do all their own butchery, make their own bar snacks and flavour their own vodkas so nothing disappoints. There can't be many places where you can leave at the end of a meal with your very own DIY pack that lets you cure your own bacon at home!

Drinkers too have always been encouraged, and once in, are extremely well catered for. As well as the full Otter range, the boys also stock some fine European lagers, a couple of local ciders, their own flavoured vodkas and a well put together wine list. It's small wonder their film nights and regular music festivals are always so eagerly anticipated.

N.B. For any budding amateurs keen to learn a little bit more about smoking and curing at home, Gus is now holding his own beginner's classes at The Holt. The next one is on Tuesday 10th August. For more details call the pub on 01404 47707 or visit www.theholt-honiton.com