Padstein, sorry!… Padstow, the heart of gourmet Cornwall.

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As it is the season of traditional over indulgence we’ve been thinking a lot about food. We are all big lovers of food. We try to buy local food if possible as not only is it the right thing to do, Cornish food is very yummy. One of the best places to start is the home of food hero, Rick Stein.

One of the very first chefs to vocally support buying local and seasonal produce was Cornwall’s very own Rick Stein. Padstein (as Padstow is jokingly referred to) the home of his amazing seafood cookery. A visit to Padstow is a popular trip for all our guests, and us too! It’s hard to choose at which of his many local establishments to eat.

The fish and chip shop is a firm favourite. The batter is just so light it’s amazing, or you can take the healthy option and opt for just grilled fish. It goes without saying at all the fish is sustainably caught. Eat in, or takeaway and eat sitting on the harbour, just watch out for those hungry gulls. Check out the fish shop with it’s live crabs and lobsters, and his far tooooo tempting deli while you’re there.

The Cornish Arms, Rick Stein’s pub in St. Merryn is great to combine with a day trip to one of the gorgeous beach down there, Harlyn Bay, Trevone Bay or Constantine Bay. The food is stand out Stein quality, the menu caters for everyone including very simple options, curry, and fish. I once had the best BLT sandwich of my entire life there. Farmer Jez has a weakness for the mussels (and the Chalky’s Bite ale). The kids menu is reasonable and equally delicious. The pub runs some good events, the beer and mussels festival with live music and acts is well worth a visit if you’re in the area.

The jewel in the crown of the Stein empire is his Seafood Restaurant. I’m pleased to say I’ve been and it was a once in a lifetime experience. Truly amazing food. The Bistro, also lovely, I remember trying to eat a particularly good fish stew in there with a 6 month old baby. The Cafe is also superb, serving down to earth food like fish finger sandwiches (Stein style of course) with mushy peas, it’s not your average cafe.

Cornwall is becoming such a gourmet paradise these days it’s hard to fit in (literally!) all the foodie experiences… right, I’m off for a snack, all this thinking about food is making me a bit peckish…