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My associations with Dartington Hall have not hitherto included finding a good meal. Imagine my delight to discover that hidden in the warren of handsome buildings so beloved by students of architecture, both 14th century and emulated, is the White Hart.

Depending on your point of view, to call it a gastropub may not be entirely fair, but either way it certainly deserves the good things I intend to say about it. One of the first of which is the use consistently made of local produce throughout an attractive and compelling menu that creates complexities of choice in the minds of many.

Starters might consist of local mussels steamed with white wine, shallots and parsley, finished with double cream, gravad lax with smoked prawns and smoked garlic mayonnaise or a terrine made from local game, smoked bacon and pistachio nuts, served with fruit chutney. All starters can be purchased as main courses, amongst which can also be found Devon lamb casserole, with Moroccan overtones and a light cumin, cinnamon and apricot sauce, Cornish smoked haddock with spinach and a light cheese sauce, or the local speciality sausages served with mashed potato and deliciously substantial red wine and onion gravy.

Helpings are not exactly for the faint-hearted, but let's assume you have been fasting for this day in which case the range of desserts will be of interest. Think bitter chocolate tart served with clotted cream or a classic cream brulee with a crisp topping and guardian shortbread biscuit, not to mention cheese from the Ticklemore Cheese shop at Totnes.

The wine list is as travelled as the architecture and there is always a fine selection of local ales, including their own White Hart variety.

Continuing the saga of the deli-that-has-everything-you-ever-wanted-cooking-wise, and oh yes, happens to have five little tables round the back where we may be able to run something up for you, a technique applied increasingly and with varying degrees of expertise, Effings is one of the more successful examples. Granted that some of the worthy burghers of Totnes have been observed exercising their eyebrows at the prices but as their Yorkshire kinsmen would tell them, 'you don't get owt for nowt'.

And this is no mere extension of what's on the deli shelves, it is accomplished cooking in which the likes of flaked brill in a saffron jelly with caviar, and coq au vin with confit new potatoes make regular appearances on the short but elegant menu. Such places as Effings should be given every encouragement in an increasingly regimented, predictable and shallow world, particularly from the good people of Totnes - quality invariably costs.

Right in the heart of Totnes and situated quite close to the Town Market Square is the Tangerine Tree Café, an unpretentious and family-friendly place where you can pop in for a quick bite after a bout of shopping or just saunter in for a leisurely meal. Spread over two floors, this pleasant café has a lovely walled garden that is just perfect for al fresco meals while upstairs there's table seating as well as lounge chairs for you to relax.

Using seasonal, locally sourced produce, their chef conjures up a brasserie style menu that is appealing in its fresh approach. Morning visitors could try out the full English breakfast while main dishes during the day could comprise of tamarind chicken skewers with cous cous, pan fried scallop wrapped in salmon or fish cakes served with warm tomato and red peppers. Homemade cakes are delectable while beers and wines from the concise list quench your thirst admirably.