I may have discovered THE hottest foodie destination and it’s only a 30-minute drive from Exeter. Ashburton sits on the edge of Dartmoor and has more amazing independent eateries than any other place I have visited of late. I have been visiting most free weekends of late and honestly can’t stay away.

Emilia, owned by Clare Lattin and Tom Hill of Ducksoup in Soho and Little Duck The Picklery in Dalston opened its doors a couple of months ago and I visited a week or two into their latest restaurant venture.

This Italian Osteria is my kind of place. Cosy and cool. The interior is laid-back charming with mismatched wooden furniture, vintage light fittings and jugs full of freshly picked wild flowers that add to that rustic homely feel that you get in small town Italy. The restaurant is all open plan with a big wooden family style dining Table taking centre stage as well as a few smaller intimate tables nestled in the corners and then benches for those that want to eat and go. Although I wonder if anyone ever does this? Unlikely once they try the food!

The menu is perfectly formed and all the ingredients are seasonal so to be at their absolute best. Each small plate is perfect for sharing with some larger plate options for those that want something more substantial.

We ate perfectly green nocellara olives alongside our skin contact, slightly orange wine whilst choosing the main event.

What followed was a delight. Roasted courgettes with olives, fresh oregano and salted ricotta, piatonne beans with farro, pistachio and basil and a warm dish of crab with roasted fennel, chilli and capers. Bread for the table mopped up the delicious juices.

After all saying we weren’t at all hungry after devouring our first course we couldn’t resist the desserts on offer. A wonderfully short crust pastry tart filled with nectarines and almonds served with a huge jug of pouring cream and strawberries atop a wonderful set mascarpone cream. All was stunning and nothing was left!

I can’t tell you how pleased I am to have something like Emilia a short journey away and will no doubt be booking in again very soon without much of an excuse. I look forward to sampling the menu again as the seasons change. I just need someone to come with me. Who’s in?

You will find Emilia at 2, East Street, Ashburton, Devon.

See my recent posts on other great Ashburton indies here. Check out Arthur at Taylor’s and Creamos.