Stage — Restaurant in Exeter

Funked Up Fine Dining

Myself and a couple of well travelled friends booked on a bleak, wintery Wednesday. We work in hospitality every day of our lives and so hold suitably expectant standards. Just from the phone call alone I got a good vibe, cheerful and accommodating - I was already looking forward to this.

Upon arrival we were enthusiastically greated by one of the happiest guys in hospitality.....ever.....anywhere! We were keen and early so a short wait for our table later and we were seated with gusto.

We decided to add the paired drink flight to our taster menu - a highly recommended option.

We had the pleasure of 2 hosts, one took care of the drinks and then the other, the food. Both were not only knowledgeable and informative but charismatic and charming. Before we tasted a single morsel I was already eating out of the palm of their hand. Every single course arrived with an enjoyable, smiling back story and enthusiastic, time proven delivery.

The food was nothing short of sublime. All of the ingredients were expertly paired, subtly balanced and cooked to perfection. The drinks flight was given no less thought than the food and paired up beautifully, an addition we were glad we opted for. In fact, other than water, we found no need of any other supplemental drinks - until our end of night coffee and whisky.

The time between courses was just right, just enough space to discuss the course, have a chat amongst ourself and pester the hosts with drivel and chat. Throughout the night our hosts, and indeed, even our chefs were happy to stop by our table and chat through their process, their background and anything else we felt the need to moyder them about.

The venue itself is several things, quaint, intimate and quirky - I love places like this and you'll bounce off the vibe if you feel the same. We left in high spirits, full of rich delicious food and genuinely feeling like we'd had a very special experience.

So yes, a bit of a long winded review but certainly deserved and passionately earned.

If you eat no where else in Exeter, you must eat...

Underwhelming is the best way to describe my first (and only) visit to The Stage. This is more tapas than fine dining with service that is friendly but came across as rehearsed and formulaic rather than attentive and genuine. I had to ask our server to repeat what the dishes were more than once as she rushed through them so quickly. The last time service left me with such a feeling was at the Fat Duck in Bray. Don't get me wrong, the food was nice and the staff were friendly, the concept just didn't work and it was expensive and rushed. So for £55 per person (dinner), you get a 'surprise' tasting menu, which means you have no idea what's coming. You can, alongside the food, pay almost as much again for a drinks flight (£45). That's also a 'surprise', so you don't know what's coming with that either. Hmm. So we opted for very nice home brewed beer to start and would have chosen some wine too, but as we didn't know what food was coming, we couldn't safely match wine to our food, so we stuck to beer. As I say, not an unpleasant evening, just underwhelming and a little disappointing to be honest.

Another issue was that a number of guests came early for their table(s), probably because the website makes it clear that they will only hold tables for 10 minutes. These guests were invited to sit outside until their table was ready, and as one couple pointed out, it was a cold and rainy night and they decided to stand inside. OK, I get that space is limited, but why not make it clear when booking that people will not be seated before their allotted time and that there are tables outside, rather than just point out that they could lose their table if they're more than 10 minutes late.

We're pleased we went as we like to try different dining experiences in beautiful Exeter, and The Stage has been on our list for some time. But it's not a performance we'll want to see...

Great value for a 6 course tasting menu! Food was delicious and the passion for the food and drinks really came through in the service. They were extremely knowledgeable about everything that was served and were very attentive and genuinely entertaining! I will now forever know our server as Brandy 😂😭

The bread was delicious but feel this was too good for everyone not to try it! Would be great to have this included as a nibble with the meal rather than an extra.

Loved the steak soft taco course, and crispy lamb and pullet egg starter. The yolk was glow in the dark orange and so rich. Also loved the mini choux bun with cheese filling and caramelized onion. Would have liked a bit more wobble on the damson jelly in the dessert and perhaps as few more elements/textures but the overall taste was still amazing and unique.

The drinks pairings were all exceptional as well and loved the journey from far away to local drinks. Really enjoyed a brandy-like fortified grape juice and a ginger beer concoction/cocktail

Our whole party felt that it was among some of the best food we'd eaten and they were punching well above their weight in terms of the quality. It was better than most Michelin star places I've eaten in... and for £40 odd quid for a 6 course tasting menu?!? (Without drinks) Incredible value.

Atmosphere was also so relaxed, not pretentious or stuffy whatsoever, but still wonderful and attentive service.

I also peered through the open kitchen and was just amazed at how young the staff were to be producing food like that! Just hats off to the whole team, thank you and it was a fantastic evening...