Grand Hotel

The majestic Edwardian hotel that is the centrepiece of Torquay's seafront certainly deserves the 'grand' moniker. Agatha Christie spent her honeymoon here before her husband left for the Great War in 1914, and the place still retains ghosts of Empire in its grand lounges and public rooms. Built on a grand scale, the Gainsborough restaurant exudes traditional seaside elegance and has splendid views of the coastline of the English Riviera to bask in while unobtrusive staff make sure that everything happens at just the right pace. The kitchen team takes a modern European line, drawing on local suppliers; among starters, classic ideas such as pressed ham hock and caper terrine with piccalilli are brought up to date with the addition of a pancetta bonbon and pea velouté, while mains could include loin of spring lamb with a mini shepherd's pie, carrot mash and broccoli.