The Hideaway — Restaurant in East Devon

Oh dear! We have been to The Hideaway on several occasions before and it was great. Something has changed. We had booked a table, arrived and then stood at the door waiting. No one came to see us. We went inside and waited. No one came to see us. So, I walked up to the counter and waited. There were staff milling about, the place was mainly empty, but still we seemed to be invisible. Eventually, I said, excuse me, we've booked a table for four at one o clock and one staff member, behind the counter looked up and suggested we select a table. We did and sat down. We looked at the drinks menu first and decided what we woul like. No one came over to see us. Eventually my wife went to the counter and asked if they were going to take our drink order. No. We have to go to the counter. My wife ordered a half bottle of sparkling wine. 'We don't do half bottles' came the reply. My wife pointed out they were offering them in their menu. Oh,. They went to check and, Yes, they did do half bottles' of sparkling wine from the local vineyard. Having decided what we would like to eat, we returned to the counter and ordered our food. The food arrived, without knives or forks. Apparently we have to go and fetch these. My wife ordered the half pint of prawns. It was served on a small plate, but there was nowhere to put the peeled shells. So my wife requested a plate or dish. This did arrive, but no water to rinse her fingers. Then I noticed there was no condiments on the table, please could we have some pepper and salt? Two tiny sachets of pepper and salt arrived. please, I asked, could I have some mayonnaise for my salad. A tiny pot arrived. My brother then asked if they could have some. A small mostly empty breakfast marmalade jar was brought to the table with the comment that 'thus is all we have'.

Whilst we were eating, one staff member sat down and started to eat their lunch, whilst other started piling all the rubbish and waste, bottles and waste packaging onto a trolley right beside where I was eating!!! We felt distinctly unwanted!

At no time did we receive a smile, or really any acknowledgement that we were welcomed, quite the opposite. We decided we would leave and buy some ice cream elsewhere rather than spend anymore time in The Hideaway.

If this delightful little restaurant overlooking the sea has changed hands, I don't know, but something has definitely changed ... If they wish their business to succeed, then they need to change just about every are doing and all the staff.

We were taking my brother and his wife there as his birthday treat. It was not!!! We felt really quite embarrassed.

Sorry, we will not be going back and would not...

Obviously closed currently due to COVID, but have been on two occasions, the second to see if any better than first - it wasn't. Strange attitude to customers, not very welcoming if sitting outside as, after having what is quite expensive food for what it is, they make it quite clear they don't want you to linger. That even more evident when in last hour to closing, which is set in stone, believe it's 4.30, whatever the weather and no matter how many people around leaving the beach who would enjoy some refreshments before heading off, they remove all tables and chairs as they become empty around remaining occupied tables making those people feel they want them gone. Given the limited season and weather related dependency, it seems odd that on good days the owners don't take advantage and be flexible with closing time. When we visited the cakes were quite dry as they were displayed uncovered on counter, and when I mentioned the coffee was too strong for my taste, I was advised quite abruptly that I should have asked for a single shot. Obviously I didn't realise until...

We found this little cafe by chance, while walking along the Seaton promenade & I am really pleased we did. It is completely dog friendly, rustic with wooden tables & chairs & very clean. There are also a few tables outside, which is fabulous on dry days. They have a great menu, as well as daily specials board, they even have a dog menu… They have a big list of beverages, hot, cold & alcohol, plus an ice cream fridge, that along with a chiller full of delicious cakes & pastries, there really is something for everyone. I chose to have their calamari, which was served with a salad garnish, lemon slice & mayonnaise. It was delicious, the best calamari I have had since being in Australia ( where they really know how to cook it) my partner had a bacon sandwich, which looked tasty with thick hand cut bread & crispy bacon. All meals are beautifully presented & brought to your table with a smile. You can find this wonderful cafe on the towards the cliffs end of the promenade, past the pretty beach huts & right to the end of the flat walk. Give it a try, you won’t be...