The Golden Lion Inn

Michelle and Francois Teissier are currently celebrating their ninth year at the helm of this welcoming Devon village pub. So many things contribute to its traditional feel - the low wooden beams and stone walls, the winter log fire, the art deco prints and Tiffany lamps, not to mention the paintings by Devonian and Cornish artists. And there's the bar, of course, where locally brewed Otter ales are the order of the day. Chef/patron Franky (as everyone calls him) trained in classical French cooking at a prestigious establishment in the Loire Valley, a grounding that accounts today for his rustic French, Mediterranean and British menus. Their delights may include moules frites; slow roasted lamb shank; escargots; crevettes in garlic butter; spinach and mushroom filled crêpes; chicken Xerez in light creamy sherry sauce. Given that the genteel seaside town of Sidmouth is just down the road, the seafood specials depend totally on that day's catch - cod, hake and sea bass are all candidates. For vegetarians there's likely to be creamy garlic mushrooms or deep-fried brie. Tempting white and granary bread sandwiches are filled with fresh Lyme Bay crab; mature cheddar or home-cooked ham. The Sunday lunch menu offers roast West Country beef with Yorkshire pudding; roast lamb with mint sauce; and winter vegetable crêpe. As Franky sums up: 'When Michelle and I took over in 2003, our aim was to create a friendly, inviting village pub offering great value, high quality food made from the freshest ingredients; with our combination of rustic French dishes and traditional British food with a Mediterranean twist, there's something for everyone!' Outside there is a grassy beer garden and terracotta-walled terrace area with tumbling grapevines. On summer evenings you can listen to jazz.