A rare blue day in between the storms that have battered the south west this week, and promise to come howling in again tomorrow. I can see the sea at Porthtowan from my window, but on a day like today I wanted to be nearer to it, and, other than the beach, there is nowhere closer than The Blue Bar.
When I moved to Porthtowan friends looked blank, until the penny dropped and they would say - Ah The Blue Bar. It's known way beyond its own locality, partly because it is one of the few places this far west where you can have a glass of wine or a pint only a few steps from the beach. It's not, strictly speaking, a cafe but as I often sit outside and just have a coffee, and as it's my local, I'm happy to include it on this blog.
Today though, I'd decided to have lunch, then sit and write. The Blue Bar seems to encourage people to feel at ease. It provides free wifi access and there are often people sitting with coffee or a pint, and an open laptop. I prefer pencil and paper, but its good to have the option.
I'd already decided what to have before I got there. I was momentarily distracted by Halloumi fajitas from the Specials board, but the lure of burger and chips was too strong. The Blue Bar burger is offered with blue cheese and mushroom sauce, but I prefer a cheese burger, and fortunately they are happy to go off menu. The burger was good with a generous helping of melted cheddar, and the salad a nice mix of leaves (important to have a bit of green!), but the outstanding feature was the chips. Cut with the skins on, and perfectly cooked, the chips were a thing of joy. It wouldn't do to have chips every day, but when you do they should be like these chips, slightly frayed round the edges, crispy on the outside, soft in the middle, and served with mayo and ketchup.
The service is always friendly, even in the summer, but especially so now in the low season. I will of course be back.
The Blue Bar is at Eastcliff, Beach Road, Porthtowan, Cornwall TR4 8AW http://www.blue-bar.co.uk/ 01209 890329
I love going here any time of year when visiting my friends, 15 mins walk from their front door and you are here. Hot chocolate to warm you up when you have had a winters walk on the beach, or a nice cold beer in the summer. I agree most heartily about the service, very friendly with excellent food. Would recommend it to everyone who visits this part of Cornwall, and checkout the live music, there could be someone playing when you visit.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot beat this part of Cornwall, I have been coming to Porthtowan for over 25 years, since I was 3 years old. Living in the Midlands it can be hard to get down. I have seen Porthtowan become run down and then pick itself back up again, and personally I think the Bluebar has helped enormously in this respect. it's a great place for everyone....I keep telling myself one day I will move down to Cornwall!
ReplyDeleteGood to know The Blue Bar has fans far afield. I heartily recommend a move to Cornwall. I took the plunge two and a half years ago and it was the best move I've made. Even today when the wind is rampant, and the rain is lashing against my windows, the fact that I can see the wild sea through the rain-drops makes that so much better than rain in South East london!
ReplyDelete