Distant Devon delights - The Anchorstone Cafe, Dittisham

This is the story of a seafood platter. Not just any seafood platter, but the seafood platter from the Anchorstone Cafe, Dittisham. This may perhaps be the hardest seafood platter to get in the whole world...

During our visit to Dartmouth (see the previous post on Mitch Tonks' Seahorse restaurant) we had a nice lazy day exploring the area. One option is to take the little ferry up the river Dart to the village of Dittisham. Small red and yellow ferry boats - maximum capacity 12 persons - leave from the Dartmouth Town Steps jetty every half hour or so, and the roughly three miles (along the river) trip takes 20-25 minutes depending on the tide.

Arriving in Dittisham, what strikes you is firstly the beauty of the spot (Agatha Christie's Greenway mansion is just across the river, which plays host to millions of pounds worth of yacht), and second just how remote it is. I am assured that it IS possible to drive there - but the roads are utterly narrow, hedges give zero visibility and the jetty, pub and the cafe at at the bottom of a very steep hill. Boat is much the easiest option. Then you have to get a table.

I phoned the Anchorstone in advance, who do take bookings but only for 12 noon sharp! We were there bang on time and were rewarded with a very choice table overlooking the river, so it was well worth the effort. The menu features various interesting looking seafood options which change daily, often including fresh Start Bay crab salad. However, we went for their seafood platter...and what a platter it is. Ready?

Shell-on prawns, smoked salmon, fresh dressed crab, rollmop herrings, peeled salad prawns, an oyster, smoked mackerel, anchovy fillets, salad leaves, cous cous, tomato and cucumber, potato salad, red cabbage coleslaw, marie-rose sauce, brown bread and butter - and then freshly fried crispy calamari arrived a few moments later to complete the deal. £14.95, but very well spent. A nice pint of cold Peroni lager, a sunny lunchtime, wonderful scenery... ah, the essence of SeafoodShack.

The Anchorstone Cafe, Manor Street, Dittisham, Dartmouth TQ6 0EX Tel: 01803 722365 No website but try http://tinyurl.com/mbo46o.

Traditional British seafood - the Trawlerman, West Bay

As part of our recent Jurassic Coast outing, Jenny and I found ourselved in West Bay, just to the south of Bridport in Dorset. We were in search of a quick lunch and were wandering around wondering whether to have fish and chips from the many kiosks on the harbourside. Then Jenny noticed a sign down a small lane - 'Seafood Garden'. We wandered over and discovered The Trawlerman.

The Trawlerman is a fish shop - well, more of a seafood shop in fact - set in a quiet back street just a few yards away from the bustling harbour. It has a small patio outside, with some table featuring river/harbour views - this was the Seafood Garden we had seen. We had a look at the shop and were told by a very authentic-looking fisherman emerging that the seafood platter was the finest in West Bay. "It's pricey, mind", he added, "but you won't go away hungry." Whether around £16.50 is pricey for seafood for two could be described as a moot point, but we certainly didn't go away hungry.

What you get is absolutely traditional British seafood: dressed crab (very good), large tiger prawns, smaller tail-on prawns, even small shrimps/prawns with shell-on (very link and traditional), cockles (pickled in vinegar), mussels, large green-lipped mussels, winkles (and a cocktail stick with which to winkle them). All served on a big platter.

Everything else is extra. Bread and butter, lemons, drinks (diet Coke), whatever. You can take your own wine. It's very basic, very British and somehow just the job for a lunchtime seafood fest. Nothing to worry the hip Riverside restaurant next door, but that isn't the point. This is the kind of place I have searched for in vain in several seaside resorts (Morecambe, hang your head in shame!) - I was delighted to find it here.

The Trawlerman5 George Street, West Bay, BRIDPORT, DT6 4EY, Tel 01308 425776