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The Seafood Restaurant, Padstow


Day two of our journey to Cornwall. We left Wiltshire at around 2pm with no real certainty of where we would spend the night. Still young, or what?

At a coffee stop on the M5 we agreed we would head for Padstow, so that we could potter down the north coast on the following day and see some of the county before we arrived at Looe. We booked a room in The Old Customs House, paid up front and then found that their restaurant would be closed. No matter, we'll have a pasty and a pint. Or at least He will.

On arrival we asked the friendly receptionist, when she reminded us the restaurant was closed, if there was anywhere she would recommend to eat? 'Well, there's Rick Stein' she offered, nonchalantly. But surely it's not possible to book at 6pm on the day?

He was sent off to park the car in the car park opposite the hotel whilst She went to ask. He made several trips around Padstow's one-way system, feeling increasingly grateful that it was on a Monday in May rather than a Friday in July, and eventually with a great deal of help from Her on the phone for which He feels He didn't demonstrate adequate gratitude at the time, the car was parked and the excellent, if surprising, news was delivered that if we were prepared to wait until 9pm, we would be fed at The Seafood Restaurant; Mr Stein's flagship.

Him:
HALLOUMI SAGANAKI dusted in semolina, fried in olive oil and drizzled with honey, black sesame seeds, then
FISH AND CHIPS cod deep-fried in dripping, served with chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce.

Her:
SCALLOPS with soy, ginger and spring onion, then
INDONESIAN SEAFOOD CURRY with cod, sea bass, and prawns. Served with pilau rice and a green bean and grated coconut salad with crisp fried
shallots, garlic and chilli. 

Them:
Chocolate mousse with pistachio ice cream, and
Orange creme brulée

The scallops were spot on, the halloumi tasted rather like waffles with maple syrup, the fish and chips was a simple dish down extremely well, the curry was delicious but on the slightly too spicy side and the desserts finished the whole thing off nicely.

The waiter got the balance between friendly and over engaging just right and the atmosphere was relaxed yet not too casual.

Not as expensive as we had expected we would be happy to return.

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