After almost eight years of looking at this often crowded restaurant & pub across the river from my flat, on the arrival of my sister & brother in law we took the opportunity to walk over & visit only to find out why the Port Royal is always so popular. Thursday evening it was still pleasantly busy but not crowded, the main restaurant area was almost empty and we were nevertheless well received by a very friendly staff member and seated by the window with excellent night views over the adjacent River Exe. The menu offered quality choices, the red mullet and sweet pepper risotto and home cooked roast tomato soup with fresh bread and butter curls, outstanding starters, high calibre cooking, taste and presentation, yet amazingly inexpensive for what was on offer. The main courses of chicken, spinach, beans and creamy mash potato, mine of sea bass, the chicken the most perfectly succulent and tasty, the sea bass utterly amazing, presentation was outstanding, top chef quality, tastes to match, plates properly heated to ensure the food remained and was served hot. Spurred on by the amazing experience we were motivated to try the sweets on offer, mine was pears poached in mulled wine, my brother in law chose the lime and dark cholocate cheesecake, beautifully presented and equally excellent in taste. After a really well made coffee, the bill for three courses and drinks represented really great value for money and the waitress was so attentive and pleasant throughout the entire meal, the whole experience was special. Now I really do know & appreciate why the Port Royal is so well used and appreciate that it's popular because it's so understated, so quietly special to the people 'in the know' who live in or visit Exeter. Most highly recommended to all the discerning diners and unquestionably perfect in every respect. read more