Quayside Distillery Review

Situated on Exeter's beautiful quayside, this stunning bar, distillery and eatery is the perfect location for a summer lunch. Food like nowhere else in Exeter: with an array of seafood, meat and Mediterranean vegetable small platters...food that takes you abroad.

The dining area is stunning with quality decor and a beautiful quayside view. Like a window to the waterside. We went along to try out this food on such a sunny day (with people sunbathing and drinking, paddle boarding or chatting with friends). There was a choice of al fresco seating or inside. We kicked the dinner off with a glass of orange wine which was delicious. As far as I am aware, no one else in Exeter serves it. Orange wine is white wine created using white grapes with their skin on (giving it such an earthy full flavour: taking me back to memories of my grandad's wine in Italy).

The menu had so many options for Gluten Free and I was pleasantly surprised that even croutons could be made GF. I dove straight in for the Pulpo a la Gallega (aka pan fried octopus, chorizo red wine honey reduction with red peppers and potatoes) which was to die for. The Jamon Iberico was incredibly tasty and the burrata and tomato salad with slow roasted tomatoes and chunky croutons was the perfect partner for it, topped off with crispy patatas bravas and guindillas.

A sign of how much something is enjoyed is definitely ordering more plates in....and that we did. The octopus just had to be tasted twice!

Next time I go, which is going to be a lot during these stunning summer months...I am going to try out the scallops, exmoor caviar (available with GF bread) and crispy calamari. Oh and the king prawns with garlic, chilli and lemon. It's going to be a very full table!!

Question and Answer time:

1. Your menu has plenty of gluten friendly options. What precautions do you take when preparing gluten free food?

"We use separate boards and utensils, ensure the area is wiped down prior to prepping, use separate trays for cooking and ensure the dietary requirements are communicated to our kitchen team both on the order ticket and verbally. All reasonable precautions are taken but due to the small size of our kitchen we cannot guarantee there is no cross contamination, especially from airborne particles."

2. You are a gin distillery mainly - what drinking options do you have for gluten free?

"So distilled alcohol is Gluten Free as the distillation process breaks down the Gluten Protein. We have some Gluten Free pilsner and lager from Powderkeg brewery in Woodbury and our Sandford Orchard ciders are also Gluten Free."

3. What inspired your menu? It’s unlike anything in Exeter! Quite looking forward to it!

"Eating and drinking is a very social thing and small plates are just perfect for sharing with friends or if you just want something light. It’s a very Mediterranean thing and we like it! Think tapas, Meze etc, they are all small plates, bursting with flavour, where you get to try lots of different dishes. What’s better than a few drinks, quirky cocktails, grazing on tasty food and chatting to friends? Not much :)"

The answer to no 3....so true!