Review: Otto delivers a cool experience to even the un-coolest of guests

Roughly every month, I meet up with the Torbay Weekly gaffer for an update on sport, what we expect from the weeks ahead, how can we keep our contest fresh, showcase sporting talent in our Naturally Inspiring Bay.

Some weeks are more fallow than others, we have the weather to blame for that, but we always have Plainmoor dramas to uncover, thank-you Torquay United!

Normally, we meet virtually through a screen or in our TW office at the excellent South Devon Business Centre, but there is an occasional venture out into the wilds of South Devon.

We’ve tried a brew at Coffee#1 in Newton Abbot, a beer at the Barn Owl, a glass of wine in The Grand, but the May meeting took us to a demonstration of Torbay at its finest.

Friday was such a beautiful morning, so, after a quick Google Map check to locate the smart Otto Restaurant on Torquay Marina, car keys were roughly abandoned, it was the perfect opportunity to build that step count.

Stepping out from Herbert Towers in the Babbacombe Borders, it is blissfully downhill. My route took me through the town centre, quicken the pace around Castle Circus, taper down toward the harbour.

Turning right at the bottom of town, weaving through the roadwork barriers (another good reason for choosing the walk option), I reached the delights of Vaughan Parade. This is already a favourite spot in Torquay and now, there is another magical reason to visit.

Perched above the Marina Car Park, I strolled up the slope, swung a quick 180 to find the front door, and my first impression of Otto was how delightfully green everything felt.

Decorative shrubbery adorned the entrance and I could already hear the ambient sounds of relaxed morning chatter combining perfectly with the soulful music you might expect from a trendy surf bar in California.

Otto just looks cool, everything about the place is cool.

Even at the age of 45, carrying the bulk of a winter spent inside a fridge (lockdown habits are hard to shake), I felt cool. It was my middle-age version of Applebys in the late 90s or Café Mamba in the noughties.

Greeted by a friendly face, I explained I was meeting someone on the terrace and, after a furtive glance at the intoxicating cake display to my left, I took a groovy saunter through the inside restaurant.

A young woman sat in front of the giant bay window, periodically checking her phone and glancing at the majestic harbour view. Otto has already achieved the impossible, relegating screen time, even for just a moment.

Two older couples sat inside, enjoying their coffee, but the outside terrace was a hub of peaceful activity.

I know that’s a contradiction but it’s true; every table was busy, people mopping up breakfast, chatting busily as they gladly raised a hand to shield from the glare of a sun that had returned from its six-month sabbatical, but it still felt cool and calm.

I took my seat, enjoyed a delicious cappuccino, while the gaffer went for a decaf Americano. We chatted sport, chatted Torbay and basked in the relief that Torquay United now have new owners…all was right with the world.

Even with much to discuss, conversation halted on several occasions, just to soak up the sun and look down on a Torquay harbour full of colour.

It is no exaggeration to say, on a sunny day, there is no better place in the world.

My attention was only occasionally distracted by envious glances at the various breakfast plates sweeping past our table, ears pricking as other guests talked about the range of pizzas on the menu.

A business meeting, however relaxed, is not the time to demolish Otto’s Big Devonshire Breakfast, but that day will come.    

The walk home, sadly, was a sweaty uphill trudge through the roads of Belgrave, Forest and St Margarets…not quite the stylish conclusion to an otherwise serene morning.

Well played Otto and happy first birthday, you have brought something fresh and cool to the Torquay harbourside. All we need now is for that giant ball of fire to stick around for the summer.