30 Sep 2015 by Charles Manners

Here is a sample of the operations we went to:

We went to Nathan Outlaws restaurant in St Enodoc Hotel on one of the worst day’s weather, so it was an excellent way to spend an afternoon, the food and service was excellent, the three course lunch at £35 providing good value and delicious food.

More interesting was Nathan Outlaws Fish Kitchen in Port Issac, located close to the quay. He has also opened his Michelin starred restaurant in Port Issac but with the family my budget did not extend to such a treat! The restaurant is small perhaps 22 covers+ small tables and chairs and must be the smallest loo I have ever seen, but cleverly designed. The menu comprises of small plates, all delicious such as crab fritters with a light curry mayonnaise and grilled plaice, crispy oyster and cucumber & horsradih sauce, all lovely combinations. A light lunch for 4 with wine was £100, great value and probably the highlight of the week. www.nathan-outlaw.com

Whilst in Port Issac the next door village Port Gaverne has a great pub/hotel the Port Gaverne Hotel, run by St Austell. The success of the brewery’s own brands beers, including its Tribute Pale Ale, Proper Job IPA and Korev lager has I understand meant company production exceeding110,000 barrels per year. www.portgaverne.co.uk

One cannot ignore Padstow (despite the crowds) and the Stein Empire, all very well presented, from the Café, Patisserie and gift shop and the well known Fish & Chips, as ever good value and delicious fish, opting for the takeaway the only issue was finding somewhere to eat!

Whilst in Padstow we took cycles up the Camel trail to the Camel Valley Vineyard and had an excellent tour and a glass of their Pinot Noir rose Brut, which is as good as any champagne www.camelvalley.com

We also went to Emily Scott’s (she ran the Harbour Restaurant in Port Isaac) pub the St Tudy in near Bodmin, a proper gastro pub in a beautiful village, we only had  the snack menu, but the ploughmans and soup we had was beautifully presented and excellent value for money. The decoration was quirky but also natural, and the furniture an eclectic mix of furniture which really worked; well worth the detour www.sttudyinn.com

Altogether a great week, with so much to see.