Going west

The rain it raineth every day, but we went west for our 'staycation' anyway. It wasn't that we were being terribly patriotic so much as we couldn't face airport queues. Welcome to the motorway queue instead - 7 hours on the M5 and A30! At least the sun was shining in Mousehole and I had thought far enough ahead to book a table to make our trip worth while.

So motorway lagged we rolled into 2 Fore Street for our first meal of the holiday. Perched in what had once probably been a double fronted shop in a street at right angles to the harbour, the decor was modern and minimalist. Tables for two were a little cramped and families or larger parties were allocated the better seats in the bay windows. But it is the food you need to know about - not so much the windows. ( unless you have a window seat though you won't be able to appreciate the view).

It's a pretty fishy menu as behoves a harbour restaurant. I started with Exe bay mussels and Tony had scallops ( a feature of the week these scallops).
Keeping with the fishy theme grilled plaice and lemon sole were sampled for mains. Veggies were extra and we just had a portion of chips between us. All was very pleasant. On the next table there were complaints about the size of the steak, but as it had all been consumed before they complained it was difficult to say whether this was justified or not.
Although we didn't really need pudding we had one anyway, actually two. The ice cream connoisseur had 3 scoops - vanilla, strawberry and rum and raisen ( local Cornish) and I had summer pudding and clotted cream.

It was a very pleasant meal with good service and good food and I would certainly recommend it to other diners. At £74.50 it was averagely expensive. Had the family been there it might have been fish and chips from Janners on the harbour wall!

2 Fore Street, Mousehole, Penznace, TR19 6PF Tel. 01736731164

The Ship Inn in Mousehole had garnered some bad reviews online on account of the surly service so it was with some trepidation that we entered on Sunday evening. we didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved when everyone was perfectly friendly. As with all the eating establishements it is essential to book if you want to be sure of food. We didn't and fortunately they managed to find a table for two. The dining room was supervised by a young girl and two teenage waiters/waitresses. Being a Sunday they were serving a roast of the day plis a variety of other pub grub. The roast of the day was turkey accompanied by a good range of vegetables. There was little finesse but swift efficient service and plentiful hot food - just what you expect in a pub. At £8.95 for the dish of the day you couldn't complain.

The Ship Inn, South Cliff, Mousehole, TR19 6QX

Tuesday saw a day of sunshine and showers so off we trotted to St. Ives to look at the Tate. We arrived at just the wrong moment and had to queue for ages to get in. Similarly the cafe was heaving so we strolled around some of the other galleries and then it started to rain again. The Seafood Cafe was serving fish soup (among other things) and so it seemed like a good idea to go in and sample some. We had eaten here on a previous visit to St. Ives and it is to be recommended. The soup was excellent, the rain abated and we continued on our way. If you want a good place to eat in St. Ives - this should be on your list.
Sea Food Cafe, 45 Fore Street, St. Ives. Tel 01736 794004

The weather improved and we were really looking forward to sampling the menu at the Gurnards Head. We had previously enjoyed eating at The Felin Fach Griffin the Welsh sister restaurant and so saved this treat for a suny evening. Due to the geography of the Cornish lanes it took us a little time to reach Zennor but finally we saw a large building with the name written on the roof to help us find our way. Being a little early we took a stroll along the cliff and enjoyed the evening sunshine. Collecting our menus and adrink we went to sit in the garden while we considered the choices. Feeling a little cold we wandered inside and were shown to our table. The decor is interesting- shabby chic in tones of turqouise, ochre and Pompeiin red. A sofa and some board games was situated just behind our table. Our table for two and another table were actually in a passage between the bar and the larger dining area.

Without further ado we were asked what we wanted and then our starter was plonked on the table in front of us. The crab liguini was fine and this was followed by pinbone steak and chips and cod and mash. It was all fine but not very exciting. This was probably less to do with the food and more to do with the fact that there was little sense of occasion. The customer was almost an inconvenience. There was no offer of bread or olives to munch while one pondered the surroundings and enjoyed those first sips of wine. Service was efficient but perfunctory. The puddings and the evening in general were not exciting enough to make us want to linger.
At £69.70 for 2 courses and a bottle of wine was it even good value? So often the diner is just someone to be ushered in and out and take the cash. So if you want good food in a location with fine views this is the place to be. If you want to feel that you were a valued customer persevere, but don't expect too much.

The Gurnards Head, Nr Zennor, St. Ives. Tel 01736 796928

or our final evening in Cornwall we ate at the Cornish Range back in Mousehole. We had enjoyed an excellent crab sandwich from there earlier in the week and were looking forward to trying the full menu. The restaurant is on one of the back streets so you won't get a sea view but you will get a warm welcome. Settling down with the menu and straining to see the 'specials board' there were some difficult decisons to make. While we mulled them over olives, home made bread and oil were brought to the table.
Eventually we were ready to order, both choosing the same - mussells and lobster. Beware, the starters are so large that you really do not need anything else to follow, let alone half a lobster! We soldiered on though and it was very nice. My only complaint, and a very minor one, was that much as I love samphire, i could have managed without it in both mussels and lobster! Lemon possett for pudding was beautifully presented and the ice cream fiend contiued his sampling of Cornwall's best. 3 courses plus wine and coffee came in at under £70 which almost appeared to be a bargain! This was definitely the best of the establishments we visited.
The service was efficient, caring and knowledgeable, the food excellent and the actual restaurant was a pleasnat place to be. Plenty of space, the walls hung with very good paintings by local artists. Many were turned away as we ate as the place was fully booked. definitely worth a try.
The Cornish Range, 6 Chapel St., Mousehole 01736 731488