The Cornwall Blog

We are having a real spell of gorgeously Spring weather, barely any of those April showers which is pretty handy as its all about eating outdoors at the moment in England. All be it a little fresh out (bring those jumpers), it feels good to be a bit more social again.  Many have missed a good pint at their local so I thought it might be nice to highlight some of the best places in Cornwall to sit and take in the outdoor atmosphere.  I may be biased, as this one is near me! I just love watching the sun set at Polkerris beach enjoying some chips at the Rashleigh Inn (pictured above), not sure I should be promoting one of my happy places, so don't tell anyone ;)  The Pandora Inn was a favourite in my student days in Falmouth. Full of character, a thatched roof and wobbly walls, the inside is perfect escapism. Outside though you can sip a cold beer or glass of wine on the pontoon over looking Restronguet Creek. Perfect. If you want to get even closer to the beach, then The ...

It seems you can't move for festivals these days - and Cornwall is no different! Having said that they are loads of family friendly fun. This month, Sunday 15th May, we have Lostfest , in my neck of the woods, Lostwithiel. The event raises money for FLEET, a charity who provide equipment for emergency services in Cornwall. For those who don't know, Lostwithiel is a charming ancient stannary town which is nestled quietly a little in land in a wooded valley. Well, normally quiet, but come Lostfest the streets are buzzing with life. Expect delicious food lining the streets, traditional crafts, handmade gifts, medieval re-enactments, a vintage fair and a couple of local bands. From by the river, to under the trees, the church yard, museum, the shops and cafes - all over this little town fun is unleashed. Lostwithiel is such a pretty place to visit, just up the hill you will find the Restormel Castle. There are two parks that follow the Fowey river and the Tudor bridge is a...

The Courtyard Deli When visiting Cornwall there are so many fine places to eat but so many of them are hidden away and often locals hot spots. I wanted to share my favourite hidden places to eat in Cornwall, local ingredients cooked beautifully and once found you will also be going back for more. The Courtyard Deli Falmouth. This is a true hidden gem and when I say hidden unless you know about the small alleyway leading up to the Deli you wouldn’t know it was there. Nestled in the heart of the beautiful coastal town of Falmouth this Deli is definitely worth hunting down. With all the usual food you expect to find in a deli from beautiful breads to local cheeses they also serve amazing homemade cakes with delicious coffee. But the best thing about the Deli is when the Deli transforms into a tapas bar in the evening. My favourite is their Cornish mackerel fillets. Jon's Bistro Jon’s Bistro at The Bre Pen farm Mawgan Porth. When looking for hidden spots you can’t get mor...

The Seafood Restaurant will be marking its 35th anniversary during November and December with a celebratory £28.50 3-course lunch menu. Rick and Jill Stein are marking the anniversary with a special lunch menu built around prime Cornish seafood inclusive of dishes from the original 1975 Seafood Restaurant menu such as seafood thermidor, baked crab, moules marinière and thunder and lightening dessert. The menu will run from Monday 1st November through to Friday 24th December 2010, seven days a week from 12pm until 2.30pm. Rick Stein comments: “Little did Jill and I know when we opened a small seafood bistro on the harbourside in Padstow in 1975 with red checked tablecloths and candles in Verdicchio bottles that the business would grow into six restaurants, 40 bedrooms, four shops, a cookery school and a pub. We didn’t have a masterplan. It just happened.” When the restaurant opened in 1975 it employed just five staff, with Rick leading a kitchen team of two and Jill heading up ...

If you are considering a visit to North Cornwall this week, you cannot fail to notice that the County show - The Royal Cornwall - is in full swing. Based on the outskirts of Wadebridge, the show draws in the biggest businesses in Cornwall, showing their wares on stalls and in marquees. In addition, there are numerous livestock competitions, craft exhibitions, games, rides, bars and cafes. The show runs for three days, on June the 11th, 12th and 13th. However, as is often the case, the main event obscures many smaller, more interesting stories. If you prefer to avoid the show crowds and venture down a few country lanes, you will find that Cornwall will give up its secrets to the discerning traveller. The region has always been steeped in myth and legend, which has inspired much of the creativity that has always thrived here. For example, Menabilly, a fifteenth Century manor on the South Coast, just outside St.Austell, provided the inspiration for Manderley in Daphne Du Maurier...

Opening tonight (Friday 19th March 2010) on Discovery Quay, Falmouth – opposite the National Maritime Museum, Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips opens its doors at 5pm. Rick Stein and his ex-wife Jill have spent over thirty-five years building up their business in Padstow, which includes four restaurants, a deli, patisserie, gift shop, cookery school and 40 guest bedrooms, as well as a pub in the nearby village of St. Merryn, but Rick Stein’s Fish and Chips in Falmouth will be their first venture away from the Padstow area. “It’s great to be finally opening in Falmouth. Outside Padstow it’s my favourite seaside town in Cornwall. “Jill and I have looked around Cornwall for a long time for a place to expand beyond Padstow. Our inspiration for The Seafood Restaurant originally came from a restaurant in Falmouth that we frequented during the 1970’s, so it seemed only natural to finally open our own restaurant here. It’s a place we both know well. “I've always been fascinated by Falmo...

Reservations are now being taken for a special fundraising lunch at Fifteen Cornwall, Watergate Bay, on Thursday 11th June, when Jamie Oliver will be donning his chef whites and getting back in the kitchen. Returning to Fifteen Cornwall for the graduation of the latest apprentices, and to welcome in the new cohort, Jamie will accompany Executive Chef Neil Haydock and the team of professional chefs to create a sublime three course lunch using the finest local seasonal ingredients. Fifteen Cornwall proudly aims to use a minimum of 80% local Cornish produce. In what promises to be a fun and relaxed occasion, Jamie will be chatting to guests to take them through the menu. Dave Meneer, Fifteen Cornwall’s CEO, will be on hand to give guests a chance to put some questions to Jamie over the course of the lunch. Later in the day Jamie will attend a private graduation ceremony for this year’s White Hats (Fifteen Cornwall’s apprentice chefs) after a year of training and experience in the kitche...

Rick and Jill Stein announce an exciting new grill menu at St Petroc’s Bistro in Padstow. Rick Stein’s Mediterranean-style bistro is now expanding its menu to incorporate three new grill dishes, including an 8oz sirloin steak with pommes coq d’or, 12oz rump steak with tomato, mushrooms and thin cut chips and a special 16oz Chateau-briand for two to share. St Petroc’s Bistro has always served simple, classic bistro dishes, offering a mixture of both seafood and meat options. In addition to the new grill menu, signature dishes such as the Parmigiana di melanzana, whole grilled lemon sole with mushrooms and brown shrimps, and escalopes of salmon with sorrel sauce will still be available. Head chef at St Petroc’s Bistro, Paul Harwood, comments: “We’re really happy with the new steak dishes. We’ve sourced a really high quality Aberdeen-Angus with Charolais cross for the new grill menu, well-known for being tender, succulent and full of flavour. “Our rib-eye steak proved so popular...