After a great 2021 half term escape in May 2021, we have decided to come back, revisit some familiar spots and explore this part of Cornwall further!
Our first stop was Bodmin Jail Hotel, such an experience, well worth the stay! The hotel itself is really nice, very atmospheric with a fascinating history, but we felt food needs a real step up. Great recipes and good quality ingredients, but execution didn’t really match the same standard. Service well intended, nice people, but still very junior.
EAT
- Bait Shed, Portreath I really enjoyed their interesting take on cooking local fish, indulgent sauces. Thai slaw and yummy seafood. Only open for a short window and not every day of the week (closed Mon – Wed)
- Once again, back to the Mackerel Sky in Penzance! Still not taking reservations so you have to queue, but well worth the wait, still the best!
- Sennen cove cafe – we had the Newlyn of crab roll, roast vegetable salad and a hot chicken sourdough baguette – just wow!! What these guys have managed to achieve is quite amazing, worth the walk down from the beach!!! 10 out of 10 experience and the kids loved it too!
- Dan Dan The Lobster Man, Porthleven – 6 or 7 out of 10, great setting and our second container on the harbour type of experience – great food but service letting us down. Especially as we compare it to the Cove Cafe in Sennen! maybe Dan Dan was just super grumpy that day 😉
- Mussel shoal, Porthleven, must go place for (at least) one drink! Mixed reviews from our family – it gets the 10/10 for everything from G, but I am unsure about their food… great location overlooking the harbour and nice spot for a drink, food though different story… or maybe it’s because this was our second lunch?! Made me overly critical, still definitely worth the stop!! Real people, great vibe! Cannot miss the the smell and sight of public p0t smoking, very relaxing! 🙂
- Kota, Porthleven – Kota =‘shellfish’ in Maori, (chef is half Maori, half Chinese Malay) is set in a 300 year old building, right on the harbour front of the historic village of Porthleven. More on the fine dining side, with a tasting menu option and also great options for kids from their sister restaurant next door, this was a good stop.
- Tolcarne Inn, Penzance arguably our top favourite was another dining experience coming in the shape of a super chilled pub. A historic maritime pub just by the sea wall in Newlyn, but much more than a pub – we experienced it as a real dining spot! A chalkboard menu to list local produce and amazing seafood, plus local ales and a great wine list! Great fish and chips for kids too.
DRINK
- 45 Queen Street in Penzance, nice surprise just off Chapel Street – loving the concept, an industrial warehouse to host a small deli with fresh bread, nice wines, wild flower bouquets and all sorts of goodies. in the same building gin distillery (colour changing pink gin) and a restaurant with wow signature cocktails! Some of which come in a jug to share. Oh, and the oysters!
You know it aaall! 