The Seafood Restaurant

Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant

The Seafood Restaurant
Riverside,
Padstow, Cornwall.
PL28 8BY

Tel.: 01636 610661

Wednesday 13th September 2006

This was our second "proper" outing in our new motorhome. A tour of Devon and Cornwall, we decided, would be incomplete without a visit to Padstow, and Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant.

When we drove into Padstow, it was immediately apparent that our sizeable vehicle had no place in such a small place, so we retired to a nearby site and walked back into town.

The received wisdom was that we'd be lucky to get a table without advance booking, and this turned out to be true - to a point. Although there was no chance of a table that day, we reserved a table for two for the following lunchtime.

That evening, however, we would have to suffer a "lowly" Fish Supper at Stein's Fish and Chips.

It was interesting to note that Rick Stein has a number of enterprises in Padstow: The Seafood Restaurant, St. Petrocs Hotel Bistro, Rick Stein's Cafe, Padstow Seafood School and St Edmunds House Hotel, A delicatessen, A Patisserie. Probably even more by now!

The next day, we arrived and were escorted to the conservatory for pre-lunch drinks: a very agreeable table overlooking the quay. The restaurant was quite busy, with a mix comprising obviously local folk, and obvious tourists (like us!)

We were made very welcome, and were soon escorted into the dining room - a bright and airy place with some, er, "interesting" paintings. Across from us was a group of about ten young men, and the rest of the diners were couples. There was a very pleasant "buzz" to the place, so we were looking forward to our meal.

The day's "Tasting Menu", at £65, was extremely tempting, but there were options on the main menu which were missing from the taster, and which I couldn't miss.

The service was exceptional - attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable and agreeable. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming - we felt very much at ease.

I started with Mackerel Recheado: Mackerel stuffed with a Ginger and Chilli Masala, served with a Coriander, Tomato and Onion salad.

Marg had the Char-grilled Dover Sole while I opted for the Turbot. And a bottle of the same Muscadet S&M s/l that we'd enjoyed the evening before at Stein's Chippy.

We both agreed that everything about the meal was exceptional - I even had to comment to the waitress that the potatoes - small new potatoes - were exquisite: so much so that they almost eclipsed the fantastic fish.

Verdict: Phenomenal. One expects excellence from one of the country's most celebrated personality chefs and I have to say Stein's Seafood Restaurant delivered. At around £150, it's not something we could do every week, but we didn't feel that the evening was expensive - it was exceptional value.

Sandro & Marg