Review:

We (by 'WE' and mean my Wife and me) were having a little drive out along a cliff road when we saw what we thought to be a simple cafe. Popping in to a have a quick coffee turned into one of those finds you take a great deal of pleasure in. As soon as we walked through the door we realised this was a 'nice place' for a meal. Simple, elegant, clean and welcoming and the people serving were just as nice. So instead of a quick coffee we had a leisurely lunch and coffee! I had the crab salad with new potatos and my wife chose the Gurnard, spaghetti, leek and bacon. My crab salad was fresh with a clean zingy taste, the salad was inventive with lots of local leaves used instead of the usual 'salad bag' mix. My wife's pasta was perfectly al dente, the sauce clung to the pasta but wasn't cloying, the leek and bacon accentuated the spot on Gurnard fillets which were crisp on one side and moist on the inside. We ate sitting on the terrace overlooking a beautiful view of Rame Head and finished the meal with coffee. The cost for this repast? including soft drinks and service...£24.00 and worth every penny. I will be going again, and soon.

Review:
Walking the whole of the South West Coastal Path from Minehead in Somerset to Poole in Dorset (not through the middle but all the way round) a total of 630 miles is a daunting prospect taking six weeks of hard walking to complete. To compensate for the hard graft of the day, my son and I ensured we sampled good food at some amazing restaurants. Rick Stein at Padstow, The Alba at St. Ives, The Wellington Hotel at Boscastle, The Red Lion at Clovelly and many, many more some of which I will review on the restaurant spy.

Review:
Just off the A30 at Goss Moor lies the best excuse I know of (if your're not a surfer) to go to Newquay. Over the last few years Mrs Wildfrank and I along with my two entrancing daughters have whizzed past a brown sign on the motorway saying 'Port and Starboard Fish and Chips' and have never even thought about popping in, until a shortbreak holiday brought us past that sign one more time.

As soon as we walked in we were welcomed by a wonderful lady from Lancashire who made us feel totally at ease and escorted us to a table whilst the wildfrank nostrils were alerted to the wonderful smells emanating from the kitchen.

Review:
These Meaderies seem very popular down Penzance way and are basically restaurants which sell Cornish Mead as well, which is something that needs to be experienced - and respected. Newlyn Meadery is my favourite. It used to be a cinema but was converted to a restaurant in 1974. It is now a cavernous eating place with stained glass at one end, pillars and coats of arms galore and serving wenches in period costume.

Review:
In a fantastic location, with stylish decor and an interesting menu the Old Quay House boded well. However we clearly looked to the waiting staff like we needed a diet. £12 bought a whole nine pieces of Gnocchi (yes, we did count – sad I know, but hunger makes you do strange things). And no, putting the world’s smallest chicken breast on a very large pile of mash does not count as Nouveau Cuisine.

Review:

What can we say about Rick Stein? It’s hard to deny that he is a defender of fantastic British food, local farm producers, and a visionary fish chef. But one can’t help wondering also if he hasn’t become a very rich bloke who is taking more interest in his TV career than the quality of his establishments. The Stein empire in the small town of Padstow is extensive and includes the Seafood Restaurant, a café, a deli, a gift shop, two Bed and Breakfast businesses, as well as St Petroc’s Hotel which also has a restaurant. St Petrocs is supposed to be more relaxed than the Seafood Restaurant, offering a smaller bistro style menu, at a more affordable price. We called for a reservation the day before we wanted to eat and, even though we were out of season (November), already it was fully booked, but they said as there was only 3 of us, they could squeeze us in at 10pm. So be warned, due to the success of Rick’s TV shows and books, the restaurant and bistro are always busy and any bookings need to be made well in advance.

Review:
We went here for Sunday lunch. It consists of two big rooms, fairly functional but with a comfortable feel, each with its own bar. You are given a token and join a queue for the carvery which consists of beef, chicken and pork and all the associated trimmings which they heap on a nice big plate. Plenty of veg and a good selection. The guy behind the counter seemed to genuinely care whether we would enjoy it all, as well.