insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 18 - August 2016 | Page 95

Outdoor dining at The Fermain Valley Hotel Bedroom at The Fermain Valley Hotel sold in small boxes or stalls outside private residences – honesty box and all), Guernsey’s famous cows and goats, and the interesting ties to Victor Hugo and even Paul Revere (the American patriot). First up: the homemade lobster soup with crab dumplings, served alongside freshly baked bread and Guernsey’s signature butter (from those famous Guernsey cows, of course). Smooth and flavourful, the starter was a great showcase of local ingredients combined to make a fabulous dish. Deciding that we were on holiday after all, we thought what the heck, let’s get the most expensive thing on the menu – the Chateaubriand for two. Now, this isn’t something I make a habit of, and if we were back on the mainland, I’d have second thoughts; but in this case, the most expensive thing isn’t that expensive at all. Due to no VAT on Guernsey, I found dining out to be refreshingly inexpensive (our Chateaubriand for two coming in at only £48). Arriving perfectly cooked alongside Béarnaise sauce, hand-cut chips, fresh spinach and courgettes frites, the meal was simply superb. Our night was finished off with a glass of bubbly and a white chocolate crème brûlée, followed by a breezy stroll along the harbour. Guernsey, we are impressed. Le Nautique Rated number two of 97 restaurants in the town (TripAdvisor), Le Nautique is quite a swanky establishment. Beginning our evening at the bar, we enjoyed a cocktail on comfortable cream leather seats next to the wall-to-wall wine rack before being shown to our window-side table. Here we go with the views again… this time instead of cliffs and sea, we admired the many impressive sailboats and yachts moored in the harbour. fried panko crumbed Camembert. I know it’s not from their signature seafood selection, but I couldn’t help myself. I’ll have you know I did order fish for my main – couldn’t not eat seafood at a place known for its fish (though the summer vegetable and truffle butter gnocchi did look tasty). I ordered the daily special – sea bream with crushed new potatoes and fresh vegetables, whilst my guest sampled a fresh Guernsey lobster. Both were tender, sweet and delicious. After a few more glasses of wine, we headed back for a second and final night at The Fermain Bay Hotel. The great thing about Guernsey – and its small size – is you have time to actually do something on your last day, as everything is within a few minutes’ drive to the airport. Whether you spend your last hours on the neighbouring island of Herm (as we did – stunning might I add), relax on the beach or enjoy a crab sandwich near the harbour, Guernsey is one island destination that shouldn’t be overlooked. With a few packs of that delectable butter in tow, I spent the flight home daydreaming about my next, hopefully much longer, visit. I was utterly fascinated by the history, from the ancient burial grounds (4000BC!), to the newspapers and letters published during the German occupation, to the 3rd-century Roman shipwreck found in St Peter Port harbour. And let’s not forget the scenery; almost everywhere you look there’s either a jaw-dropping view of cliffs and sea, or a street lined with beautifully kept homes and endless rows of overflowing flower baskets. After the half-day tour and a quick spruce up back at the hotel, my guest and I travelled the short distance to Guernsey’s capital – St Peter Port – for dinner at Le Nautique Restaurant. The Auberge Visit Guernsey www.visitguernsey.com St Peter Port High Street Day two arrived after a restful night’s sleep, and began with a delicious cooked breakfast served in one of the hotel’s on-site restaurants, Ocean. After devouring possibly the best omelette ever made, it was time to venture out for another day of exploration – this time to St Peter Port. With its cobbled streets, boutique shopping, quaint cafés and endless historical sites to boot, the island’s capital is a holidaymaker’s dream. Whether you fancy a day at a castle (Castle Cornet), tea and cake amongst the flowers (Candie Gardens), a spot of literary history (Hauteville House, the home of Victor Hugo), or a search around one of the many museums (the Guernsey Museum & Art Gallery and La Vallette Underground Military Museum are worth a visit), St Peter Port has something for everyone. There are plenty of guided walking tours available (www.guernseyguidedtours.com), or if you’d rather be chauffeured, hop on ‘Le Petit Train’ at the harbour for a narrated driving tour, hitting all the top spots. Another packed day left us hungry (any excuse to eat…), so we ventured out of St Peter Port along the coast to The Auberge, a fine dining restaurant nestled in the stunning cliffs of Guernsey. Specialising in local seafood, the menu’s starters included local scallops and bacon, Rocquaine Bay oysters, and my choice, deep- 95 The Fermain Valley Hotel www.fermainvalley.com Le Nautique Restaurant www.lenautiquerestaurant.co.uk The Auberge Restaurant www.theauberge.gg Holiday Extras offers a wide choice of holiday booster options including UK airport parking, airport hotels, worldwide airport lounges, destination car hire and holiday insurance. www.holidayextras.co.uk