Galley Restaurant, Topsham

'Style over substance' would be to give too much credit ... rather 'frou-frou over substance' in mahogany-style, 'olde-worlde' fittings. It is all poorly done at top-end prices. That said, the food at the Galley restaurant in Topsham was approaching good, but let down by too much competing stuff on the plate (e.g. why sprigs of rosemary on everything?); a car crash of items, each vying for attention. Atmosphere of a tacky tea shop, where everything on show is (literally) for sale - from postcard's on the table to the soap in the WC. A 2% surcharge for credit cards (even though we spent over 250 pounds on this meal for four), and a 50p charge for tap water (apparently this is given to charity). The lack of complimentary bread/olives (standard these days?), the absence of table cloths, and the use of paper napkins contribute to a bad impression. The waiter interrupted our conversation between courses with a selection of glossy food mags that bruited the restaurant, and annoyed us heartily. In short, too much peripheral/tacky 'style noise' (none of it stylish) clouded the enjoyment of what was no doubt fresh wholesome food given a modern twist.