Rick Stein - Padstow?
Discussion
(Snob version)
Can anyone advise? I'm not a terrible husband but (and I appreciate this is truly terrible) Facebook informs me that my wedding anniversary is next week! We will be in spitting distance of Rick Steins and a fairly obvious choice is to go to see what the fuss is all about.
Can anyone advise what it's like or even if tables are available at such short notice? I am happy to take luncheon there if theres a kind of buffet that might be better to 'dip into'?
(normal version)
f
k - I forgot my wifes (our) wedding anniversary and we happen to be nearby on hols. Is the restaurant worth the cash and is there a set lunch or indeed dinner menu that might give us a glimpse of finery for not soooo much given we are already on hols and spending a shedload of cash?
All experiences gratefully recieved!
Can anyone advise? I'm not a terrible husband but (and I appreciate this is truly terrible) Facebook informs me that my wedding anniversary is next week! We will be in spitting distance of Rick Steins and a fairly obvious choice is to go to see what the fuss is all about.
Can anyone advise what it's like or even if tables are available at such short notice? I am happy to take luncheon there if theres a kind of buffet that might be better to 'dip into'?
(normal version)
f
k - I forgot my wifes (our) wedding anniversary and we happen to be nearby on hols. Is the restaurant worth the cash and is there a set lunch or indeed dinner menu that might give us a glimpse of finery for not soooo much given we are already on hols and spending a shedload of cash? All experiences gratefully recieved!
Never eaten at the restaurant (being vege I don't think I'd enjoy it much) but my over riding impression of all of Steins places in Padstow were that they were massively busy, too much so.
Even his chippy had a queue well out of the door with a wait time of around 20 minutes.
Having said that, this was last August, so it may well be less crowded out of season.
Somebody mentioned Paul Ainsworth, imo he came across very well on the Great British Menu and made it to the banquet so may be worth giving that a try.
Even his chippy had a queue well out of the door with a wait time of around 20 minutes.
Having said that, this was last August, so it may well be less crowded out of season.
Somebody mentioned Paul Ainsworth, imo he came across very well on the Great British Menu and made it to the banquet so may be worth giving that a try.
Been to Seafood Restaurant many times (friends have a place down in Padstow and always insist on going when we're down there) and have NEVER had anything better than an 'OK' meal and it's often on the 'disappointing' end of the scale - and that's being polite! NOT worth the £££££s (IMHO of course). No atmosphere either. Braserie is more reasonable £wise and seems consistantly good value with more of a buzz. Actually his Cafe is great for evening meals and a fun place but prob not 'special' enough for your purposes. I'd go to NO.6 (Paul Ainsworth) in preference to all of them (as others have already said) if you want something special. Never had anything other than excellent food there and often been truly exceptional.
Edited by Pugsey on Friday 21st October 09:27
http://www.number6inpadstow.co.uk/
There you go. Didn't have it to hand for prev post. Not a big place - nice and intimate. Try to get table by window in main front restaurant.
There you go. Didn't have it to hand for prev post. Not a big place - nice and intimate. Try to get table by window in main front restaurant.
agree with what others have said on rick steins, it was incredibly busy when we went and I was not overly impressed with the service or food, although the chilli crab was good.
we tried paul ainsworths too which is alot more intimate but again I was not overly impressed by the food and what annoyed me was the table next to us who were obviously well known, regular customers seem to get a completetly different menu to what we were offered and much better service with a visit from the chef.
rick steins pub is worth a visit though, food is reasonably priced and the lamb curry I highly recommend.
we tried paul ainsworths too which is alot more intimate but again I was not overly impressed by the food and what annoyed me was the table next to us who were obviously well known, regular customers seem to get a completetly different menu to what we were offered and much better service with a visit from the chef.
rick steins pub is worth a visit though, food is reasonably priced and the lamb curry I highly recommend.
mistergixer said:
Personally, I think you just pay a premium for the name over the door, rather than the quality of food and service.
It's not like Rick Stein is actually making your food for you, he's not even there most of the time.
When we ate in the Bistro, Rick Stein was sitting at the table next to us chatting with what we thought were friends or locals. When they left, he swung his chair round to our table and chatted with us for about 30 mins, whilst popping in and out of the kitchen. He came across as a nice guy TBH.It's not like Rick Stein is actually making your food for you, he's not even there most of the time.
blueg33 said:
mistergixer said:
Personally, I think you just pay a premium for the name over the door, rather than the quality of food and service.
It's not like Rick Stein is actually making your food for you, he's not even there most of the time.
When we ate in the Bistro, Rick Stein was sitting at the table next to us chatting with what we thought were friends or locals. When they left, he swung his chair round to our table and chatted with us for about 30 mins, whilst popping in and out of the kitchen. He came across as a nice guy TBH.It's not like Rick Stein is actually making your food for you, he's not even there most of the time.
nocarjames said:
we tried paul ainsworths too which is alot more intimate but again I was not overly impressed by the food and what annoyed me was the table next to us who were obviously well known, regular customers seem to get a completetly different menu to what we were offered and much better service with a visit from the chef.
Any really good chef should be willing to go 'off menu' if asked nicely. A few I know positively enjoy it as it shows just how good they are. I guess that on a busy night they might be more willing to do it for friends or regulars though. But that's life isn't it. Get to know your BMW/Porsche/whatever dealer well and buy a few cars from him and you'll prob appear to get better treatment than the first time punter when you walk in the showroom. Pugsey said:
He is a nice guy but, personally, I hate it when chefs do that. I'm there for the food and the company I choose to go with frankly. Not to have some stranger making 'an appearance'.If I've got a question about the food then fine if not then leave me alone.
He did ask, and if it was an issue we would have said no.I quite enjoyed it. That said it was 6 years ago and the first good named place I'd eaten in. I also didn't think the price was that high at the time.
Padstow area is dripping with good food places. The RS Bistro is pretty good and don't dismiss the Cafe either, and people have already mentioned Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw which are both worth a look. Different opinions on 15, I quite like it myself. No-one has mentioned Pescadou which is better value than the Seafood and very nice.
Further afield Porthminster Beach Cafe (St.Ives) is apparently excellent.
Padstow area is dripping with good food places. The RS Bistro is pretty good and don't dismiss the Cafe either, and people have already mentioned Paul Ainsworth and Nathan Outlaw which are both worth a look. Different opinions on 15, I quite like it myself. No-one has mentioned Pescadou which is better value than the Seafood and very nice.
Further afield Porthminster Beach Cafe (St.Ives) is apparently excellent.
blueg33 said:
^^^^ This
Plus you could try Jamie Oliver's restaurant "15" at Watergate Bay near Newquay. Just don't go to Newquay
15 was excellent. they only do a tasting menu in the evening so DO NOT HAVE LUNCH THAT DAY. I could hardly move afterwards and had to refuse the petit fours with coffee. Plus you could try Jamie Oliver's restaurant "15" at Watergate Bay near Newquay. Just don't go to Newquay
Breakfast there is also excellent. We had dinner there and enjoyed it so much that we booked for breakfast 2 days later.
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