One of my favourite walks is from Penzance to Mousehole. It's an easy walk, a stroll really, along pavement that runs along the water's edge, so perfect when I feel the need for exercise but don't feel like clambering over boulders or walking along cliff tops. I've done this walk many, many times and each time I've passed the entrance to The Rock Pool café and thought about going up the steps to check it out.
This morning I cheated, and parked on the rough patch of ground behind Newlyn, making the walk even easier. The sun was shining in a pale blue sky, strips of cloud dispensing well-being, and when I passed the steps up to the Rock Pool café on the way to Mousehole Harbour, I promised myself that I would explore today.
The Rock Pool Café is in beach hut. I love beach huts, as anyone who has read my book, The Dangerous Truth about Mad cat women will know. There's also a small one on the terrace with just room for 4 people to sit in. But I sat on the edge of the terrace gazing at the sun sparkling on the deep turquoise sea, and watching a seal playing in the swell. I didn't have my camera with me, so click here for the cafe's Facebook page where there are images of the terrace, lots more pics there which give you a flavour of the place.
But to really get a flavour, you need to visit, and try one of their chocolate brownies, (which I see they've put on the Facebook page this morning), or one of the other delicious looking cakes. I'm very partial to a brownie, but they are so often disappointing; too dry, not chocolate-y enough, over-cooked - many things can go wrong. But this was a perfect brownie, squidgy and rich, but not too sweet and not too claggy. And the coffee was pretty good too.
We are blessed with fab cafes in Cornwall. With a view like that at the Rock Pool café, once upon a time one might have feared that the cafe owners would trade on that and settle for dishing up mediocre food. I honestly don't think that happens very often anymore in Cornwall,and certainly not at the Rock Pool. After my 'slice of heaven' this morning, I'm going to try lunch next time!
Friday, 29 August 2014
Friday, 1 August 2014
The Bay Brasserie
When you are invited to lunch by a very good restaurant to try their new menu, it would be rude to say no, and rude not to write a review.
I haven't covered The Bay before in Café Shots, because it's a restaurant, but it is transforming itself into a Brasserie, so I think the point can be stretched.
The transformation though is all about style of eating, not quality of the food served. The Bay has always been a destination restaurant for high days and holidays, and that has been reflected in the quite formal approach to dining, especially on the evening menu.
But a new Executive Development Chef has joined. Bruce Rennie known locally from the Gurnards Head, and more widely from Wisharts, and other Michelin starred restaurants. And Bruce has introduced the Brasserie menu - same standard of food, but a more relaxed approach to eating.
I went with a friend; we sat outside on the terrace overlooking the harbour in the distance, and the flower-filled garden immediately below. Service was a little slow to start with. I had to ask for a pre-lunch drink, rather than being offered one as I joined my friend, but the restaurant was packed and it was all uphill after that. Actually, both Natalie and Monika were excellent ambassadors for the new style approach - friendly, professional, helpful - both delightful. Both Teresa & I ordered Bavette Steak with Café de Paris butter, which was delicious but I was torn between the steak, the lamb cutlets with spiced aubergine, or the roast duck with cherry jus. There is a great choice for fish lovers too, and the aromas from the next table were mouth-watering. Think they had the monkfish.
We pushed the boat out and had dessert. Dark Chocolate Delice for me and caramelised passion fruit tart for Teresa, though we shared both. The passion fruit tart was our favourite- sweet, sharp, melt in the mouth, but the Chocolate Delice was also all a chocolate dessert should be. Dark, smooth and rich. But the stand out taste sensation was the Basil sorbet which we asked to try because it sounded so interesting, and it was exquisite. One of the best things I've ever eaten!
Highly recommend the new Brasserie Menu, and look forward to future delights.
The Bay is on Briton's Hill Penzance. 01736 366 890
I haven't covered The Bay before in Café Shots, because it's a restaurant, but it is transforming itself into a Brasserie, so I think the point can be stretched.
The transformation though is all about style of eating, not quality of the food served. The Bay has always been a destination restaurant for high days and holidays, and that has been reflected in the quite formal approach to dining, especially on the evening menu.
But a new Executive Development Chef has joined. Bruce Rennie known locally from the Gurnards Head, and more widely from Wisharts, and other Michelin starred restaurants. And Bruce has introduced the Brasserie menu - same standard of food, but a more relaxed approach to eating.
I went with a friend; we sat outside on the terrace overlooking the harbour in the distance, and the flower-filled garden immediately below. Service was a little slow to start with. I had to ask for a pre-lunch drink, rather than being offered one as I joined my friend, but the restaurant was packed and it was all uphill after that. Actually, both Natalie and Monika were excellent ambassadors for the new style approach - friendly, professional, helpful - both delightful. Both Teresa & I ordered Bavette Steak with Café de Paris butter, which was delicious but I was torn between the steak, the lamb cutlets with spiced aubergine, or the roast duck with cherry jus. There is a great choice for fish lovers too, and the aromas from the next table were mouth-watering. Think they had the monkfish.
We pushed the boat out and had dessert. Dark Chocolate Delice for me and caramelised passion fruit tart for Teresa, though we shared both. The passion fruit tart was our favourite- sweet, sharp, melt in the mouth, but the Chocolate Delice was also all a chocolate dessert should be. Dark, smooth and rich. But the stand out taste sensation was the Basil sorbet which we asked to try because it sounded so interesting, and it was exquisite. One of the best things I've ever eaten!
Highly recommend the new Brasserie Menu, and look forward to future delights.
The Bay is on Briton's Hill Penzance. 01736 366 890
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