Last term, Rendezvous restaurant in Southernhay, Exeter very kindly donated the top prize for one of our competitions. Her Campus Exeter would like to thank them for their generosity, and Kat Robinson shares her thoughts on why Rendevous is now her favourite restaurant in town.
“When I walked in to Rendevous, I was immediately struck by the friendly atmosphere; the decor was simple and homely with classic wooden chairs and tables. The staff were extremely welcoming and quick to take our order, although I warn you, deciding what to eat may take a while – I wanted everything. The menu can be described as West Country favourites with some exotic twists. There really is something for every appetite, with starters and mains offering meat, fish or veggie options.
As we had reserved a table so there was no hanging around, we were immediately sat down and offered a drink. We opted for a classic gin and tonic, and when it arrived it was perfectly refreshing; served over ice with lime. The ideal refreshment for deliberating the taste-bud-tingling menu! I would recommend booking a table, as the restaurant tends to be busy, especially on weekends. But if you haven’t booked and have to wait, there are some lovely comfy sofas with most drinks available. The wine list is extensive, ranging from good house whites to vintage reds. However all were well priced and there was something for all budgets.
For my starter I had scallops with pork belly: incredible! The flavours mixed exquisitely and despite the good portion size I was left wanting more; it was just that good. My friend chose the Devon crab spring roll that came with a sweet chilli sauce; it was presented beautifully. It looked so good I of course had to try it, and I wasn’t let down in the single mouthful I was allowed! Rich flavours but still refreshingly light.
Luckily our mains arrived swiftly, as being a foodie I couldn’t wait to see what would arrive next! Being a typical boy, my friend ordered a steak that was perfectly cooked (rare) and came with mouth wateringly crispy chips and a modest side salad. Again this was faultless and we were offered additional sauces which were brought very quickly. I selected something slightly lighter, the duck served with potatoes, vegetables and a delectable cherry jus. Again this was amazing, the flavours were superb and the lamb cooked to perfection, something I’ve found some restaurants struggle with.
After such fantastic starters and main it would have been rude not to sample dessert! I could easily have chosen any of the dishes but I went for a favourite of mine: treacle tart. This was served with a yummy ginger ice cream. The tart was delicious and the ginger ice cream was a great addition as it was something I’d never had before. For those without a sweet tooth, the restaurant offers a decent cheese board with a good selection of local and classic cheeses.
Overall I would highly recommend Rendezvous. As a student it is towards the top price range but certainly worth that extra few pounds, especially for a special occasion. They are open every day except Sunday for lunch and dinner from 12pm till late. They also offer a good value two course lunch menu at £13.90, and are also available Monday to Thursday for dinner between 6.30pm and 7.30pm. It is located in the quiet area of Southernhay just beyond the Cathedral.”
Photo Credits: tastebudsmagazine.co.uk, trishandtell.wordpress.com