Cornwall's famous five

Our favourite five Cornwall restaurants famed for fab sea views and delicious local produce.

No, not Enid Blyton’s thoroughly British Teenage sleuths fuelled on lashings of ginger bear but 5 super Cornish restaurants, handpicked by us because they enjoy two very desirable traits. One, they are Restaurants in Cornwall famed for their use of top quality local produce, and two, they enjoy spactacular sea view locations. What a combination.

Talland Bay Hotel

About half way between the two charming Cornish seaside villages of Looe and Polperro on the A387 you will find this hidden gem. The hotel successfully blends quintessential Englishness with a more continental twist, reminiscent of the Cote d’Asure thanks to the coastal vista, subtropical gardens and contemporary design features in many of the rooms.

The beautiful Terrace Restaurants has earned two AA rosettes, by repeatedly delivering high quality fine dining using only the best local produce including freshly landed Fish, Crab and scallops from Looe combined in both traditional and contemporary recipes. If it isn’t sourced locally it’s made on the premises. How about the following? To start, Seared Cornish Scallops, cauliflower, pancetta and hazelnut. Then, Roast Fillet of Halibut, confit duck croquette, Jerusalem artichoke purée, lentil jus. And a scrummy desert of Rich Chocolate Fondant chocolate sauce, white chocolate sorbet.

Full details can be found at .Michael Paul Holidays will be offerings some outstanding and contemporary Cornwall holiday villas nearby at www.tallandbayhotel.com

Q Restaurant at the Old Quay House Restaurant

Quoted in the Sunday Telegraph as being one of the UK’s best hotels for “rooms with a view” it’s hardly surprising the restaurant makes it onto our exclusive list of dining rooms with the same. Located in the picturesque fishing village of Fowey, the restaurant also had a significant role to play in the hotel being named as a finalist in last year’s “Small hotel of the year” by the Cornish Tourist Awards.

Quoting from their website “‘Q’ Restaurant boasts a spectacular waterfront location and dreamy, uninterrupted views across the ever changing Fowey Estuary.” Couple this with head Chef Ben Bass’s fine interpretation of French bistro style cuisine, incorporating the very best local meat and fish, you are in for a real treat. Oysters from the River Fowey are regular to the menu. Other key features are local farm duck and an exclusive opportunity to taste Cornwall’s award winning air dried salami! The restaurant is noted for taking similar care when choosing the wine list.

To book a table call 01726 833302 or visit the website www.theoldquayhouse.com full details on the restaurant and hotel. If you are looking to stay nearby or are searching for something special for a longer break in this part of Cornwall, MPH has the unique Natural Retreat Cornwall holiday villas nr St Austell. Spectacular Contemporary “New England” style self catering accommodation has access to some divine beaches and are close to a host of Cornwall's most famous attractions.

Restaurant Nathan Outlaw

Firmly ensconced within the established walls of St Enodoc Hotel, Rock, Cornwall you will find two varied, but equally inviting offerings from local gastro hero Nathan Outlaw. The Restaurant offers guests a fine dining experience, whilst the Seafood and Grill offers a more relaxed affair, were holidaying families with youngsters are as welcome as those looking to savour Cornwall’s finest and put their feet up. That’s not to say they can’t be one and the same.

It’s the later that features the special sea side views. The Restaurant benefits from a window or two to the sea though it’s not as breezy as the Seafood and Grill. As a package however they certainly earn their place on our shortlist.

The smaller and more intimate restaurant allows the guest to enjoy each dish personally prepared by Nathan. The menu is completely driven by locally caught seafood and Cornwall’s seasonal produce delivered by local artisans. An example tasting menu can include all of the following. Scallops, John Dory, Red mullet, squid, beef, local cheese, curd sorbet, warm ice cream chocolate. Are you drawling yet?

The Seafood and Grill overlooks the camel Estuary and offers more simple dishes prepared throughout the day with the same passion and focus on local quality. For more details visit the website at www.nathan-outlaw.com

Fifteen Cornwall

You can’t help but mention this one. Why? Because it extols every virtue that we are promoting specifically in this article. It has one of the finest panoramic sea views of any restaurant in Cornwall if not the entire UK, and the menu is created from meticulously inspected produce sourced from both the surf and turf.

Located in a raised position overlooking stunning Watergate Bay, the Restaurant is not just committed to the delivery if exceptional dishes created with the best local produce. It is also devoted to the development of opportunities for disadvantaged young people in Cornwall. The menu has a definite Italian feel to it and changes daily. Expect to find, char grilled St. Enodoc asparagus, dressed Cornish Lobster with sorrel aioli, Grampound duck in a rich duck liver and marsala butter sauce, Cornish brill with vignole (a classic Roman spring stew of peas, broad beans, mammole artichokes and smokey speck)- delicious.

If you are looking to stay nearby you could try the wonderful Watergate Bay Hotel opposite, or for a Cornwall Break with a difference we at MPH would recommend Retallack. Unique for Cornwall Holiday Lodges it offers 5 star lodge holiday accommodations with outstanding leisure facilities including indoor pool, spa with Sauna and steam room and the fabulous new “Flowrider”. Here’s the link to the Fifteen Cornwall website www.fifteencornwall.co.uk

Hotel Tresanton

The telegraph says "If there is any more elegant hotel in Britain than Olga Polizzi's Tresanton on the Cornish Coast, then I have never been there". Praise indeed, with the famous restaurant at its heart. It really is one of the most tranquil settings you’ve ever seen. An elegant nautical white theme with touches of blue set against the oceanic back drop is delightful, creating a calm and cool air, and the menu delivers without fail against any expectation raised by the environment.

Head Chef Paul Waddington sources only organic veg. to complement his outstanding range of local produce, introducing a very subtle Italian flavour not evident elsewhere in the hotel. If you are staying at the hotel, why not kick start the day with a smoked haddock and gruyere omelette. The daily changing local produce menu can feature crab, lobster, oysters, turbot and hake combined with a host of Italian staples such as pasta and risotto along with other wonderful combinations of vegetables and sauces.

If this sound like your cup of tea visit www.tresanton.com/dining_splash.asp for more details. Don’t forget that MPH‘s Natural Retreat Cornwall is a short drive away.

For more information on Michael Paul Holidays, and great Holiday Lodge and Cornwall Villa accommodation near to all the Cornwall restaurants featured visit www.michaelpaulholidays.co.uk