Orange Tree - Torquay

At this strange and frightening time we decided to just be brave after self isolating for a while and go to Torquay for the day and night. We were staying in th... read more At this strange and frightening time we decided to just be brave after self isolating for a while and go to Torquay for the day and night. We were staying in the area so looked at the reviews for the OrangeTree.They were good so we booked, best thing we did. Lovely welcome, friendly staff, but most of all the food. We chose the tasting menu and it was delicious. Not cheap but not really expensive as it included wine with every course. I have had tasting menus before where the wine was a bit more adventurous but there again paid a great deal more. I wish we lived closer so we could eat there more but if and when we visit Torquay we would definitely eat there.

Superb food stopping two doors away for a break ,staff very nice.thankyou read more Superb food stopping two doors away for a break ,staff very nice.thankyou

Where do I begin. The food was ok. The starters were ok. My girlfriends scallop was severely overpriced compared to most other restaurants. 16 quid for 3 scallo... read more Where do I begin. The food was ok. The starters were ok. My girlfriends scallop was severely overpriced compared to most other restaurants. 16 quid for 3 scallops with garlic butter? The mains were pleasant enough and probably the best part of the meal. The pannacotta dessert also had very weak flavours. We ordered a bottle of wine to come with the starters. Didn 't get it. Just got an apology and that was it, so ordered two glasses instead. Later we ordered dessert wine. That came after we had finished the desserts. The staff weren 't that attentive or enthusiastic. Also during our visit we overheard other customers saying the food was pretty 'secondary ' and another man had his beef too chewy which they did nothing about. I know other restaurants that would have replaced it for a whole new dish for him. This restaurant is mediocre at best, and should not be allowed to charge the prices it does.

Very disappointing. Went for my husbands birthday and had taster menu and wine flight at £130 each. Service was fantastic, however, food was very lacklustre. So... read more Very disappointing. Went for my husbands birthday and had taster menu and wine flight at £130 each. Service was fantastic, however, food was very lacklustre. Soup was acceptable. Goats cheese was literally a bit of cheese slapped on the plate with a beetroot slice and dash of puree. Scallop and lobster bisque had the smallest bit of scallop and bisque was very average. Sorbet was delicious. Tournedos had sinew and the onions on top were so overcooked they were hard and dry. Menu said seabass however, we were given hake, which was served on a tepid plate of ratatouille. Last course we opted for cheese board. The cheese and grapes were served extremely cold and therefore had no flavour. You would think spending £300 you would get a superb meal. When you look at the pictures online there is no comparison. Not a patch on the Elephant and sadly we will not be returning.

I was treated to a trip to the Orange Tree to celebrate my birthday. I had been looking forward to a visit for a while having heard good things. We were greeted... read more I was treated to a trip to the Orange Tree to celebrate my birthday. I had been looking forward to a visit for a while having heard good things. We were greeted warmly and the decor and ambience were welcoming. Service throughout was good. However, the food is what let the place down. Starting with the mushy, old green olives left on the table as a nibble. My starter was described as Lobster bisque with seared scallops. There was one slightly overdone scallop in my soup. My partner's starter of goats cheese and beetroot lacked the finesse in presentation that one might expect from a £16 starter. My main course was a real let down. My chicken supreme was over-cooked and slightly dry. Vegetables were plentiful and well cooked but overall the standard of cooking and presentation was closer to that of an accomplished home cook rather than a higher end restaurant, which is what the Orange Tree appear to position themselves as. My girlfriend's seabass was overcooked. Wine by the glass was reasonably priced compared to bottle prices. Overall I left feeling very disappointed and glad that I hadn't paid for the meal myself. Not somewhere I will be returning to.