Delicious tapas - Browns Hotel, Dartmouth

During our recent Devon visit we had an evening to spare. Having had excellent dinners, breakfasts and lunches for some time, we weren't really feeling up to another full blow-out, and were wondering what to do. Then we struck lucky at Browns.

This is a boutique hotel just set back a couple of hundred yards from the busy front at Dartmouth. The restaurant is certainly stylish, with interestingly modern furniture and decor. Perusing the menu we tucked into a plate of green padron peppers - fried and salted - which were a new find for me. About one in ten is really hot, so there's an element of russion roulette about popping one into your mouth!

Two starters seemed like the way to go - all the started looked very interesting. Jen had a mixed tapas platter, for which this place is justifiably famous - grilled chorizo, salami, machego, anchovies, hummus, tara, olives... what's not to like? I had a plate of local marsh samphire (a real find these days) with poached egg and caper dressing - very tasty.

We followed up with squid, pan fried with a caper, lemon and harissa dressing. This was really first-rate, delicious juices to be mopped up with bread, tasty, and a fine way with squid. I washed it a bottle of West Country Ales' Shingle Bay, a light-ish and well hopped brew. A splendid way to end our trip. Browns Hotel and Restaurant, 27-29 Victoria Rd Dartmouth Devon TQ6 9RT Tel: (+44) 01803 832572 http://www.brownshoteldartmouth.co.uk/