When my annual summer hols came around this year, me and the man decided instead of living off a daily diet of pasties and cream teas, we would opt for a touch of sophistication and spend an evening wining and dining ourselves at a local eaterie.
Staying in the centre of Penzance in a quaint cottage, we chose to dine at a restaurant recommended by the company we booked our holiday abode with, and it most certainly did not disappoint. The Bay Restaurant in Penzance welcomed me and my partner with open arms to a modern gallery setting, with fantastic views overlooking the bay of Penzance and landmark St Michael's Mount. On a warm June afternoon the location and views proved in a word, stunning.
We were instantly greeted by a welcoming member of staff, who seated us in a lounge area just outside the restaurant and promptly brought us our drink orders, which we happily drank, admiring the local art displayed around us.
After five minutes enjoying our drinks and the beautiful surroundings, we were presented with the menus by the restaurant manager, who again was nothing but polite and helpful and took our orders, listening attentively to both our starter and main course choices. We were the seated to our table for the evening, again with fantastic service; our drinks carried for us by staff.
The fantastic service continued, and we were greeted again by a well presented and polite female member of the waiting team, who presented us with two choices of fresh bread, Onion or Pumpkin. Both of us plummed for Onion, and the fresh bread was moist and packed with flavour. My one reservation? A bigger slice would have been nice but that's only down to my sheer gluttony and love of food! My partner had spent a while musing over his starter and main, but eventually chose for Brocolli and Blue Cheese soup to start. After a few enthusiastic noises he assured me his soup was in two words "sooooooooooooo good" and devoured the bowl.
I opted for a light salad of Duck breast, accompanied by a salad of peach and strawberry with a honey mustard dressing. I am, in some situations, mildly fearful of fruit in salads not intended for dessert purposes, but this was a true delight.
Duck Breast with a salad of peach and strawberry in a honey and mustard dressing
This dish was nothing but sublime. I have to give top marks to the creator and chef of this dish, who used on trend shoots and leaves to create this salad. The warm duck breast was a treat, perfectly cooked and full of flavour. The texture of the peach complimented the delicate shoots and the light drizzle of dressing, which boosted not drowned the salad. A top choice on my part. I would have happily eaten seconds.
Moving onto mains, my boyfriend assured me that he wanted a filling and hearty main, and stuck with Honey roasted chump of lamb, caraway savoy cabbage and and apple fondant. He devoured the plate and had ample mashed potato left over; complimenting the chef on the large side vegetable portions. I, chose to experience something different, and due to the fact I would have loved to have sample a piece of each of the main courses on the menu, chose to eat the Vegetarian assiette; stuffed vine leaves, vegetable filo parcel, squash puree, pickled wild mushrooms with spinach, tempura aubergine with aioli [v].
Vegetarian assiette; stuffed vine leaves, vegetable filo parcel, squash puree, pickled wild mushrooms with spinach, tempura aubergine with aioli [v]
This was a true delight from start to finish. Admittedly it wasn't as hearty as my boyfriend's main but it tickled my tastebuds and delighted my culinary senses. The tempura aubergine had the perfect crisp outer coating and the pickled mushrooms where a real treat. Although a little small, each piece of this dish was well constructed and cleverly presented, more importantly extremely tasty. The presentation of the plate needs to be commended because if it went on looks alone this dish would already have been a winner.
With plenty of room left for dessert and the desperate need to indulge, (when on hols, of course!) we both finished our evening with a tasty chocolate fondant.
Chocolate Fondant with Liquer Reduction
The fondant can prove to be the bain of many chefs kitchens, but this one was worth the 15 minute wait as stated in the menu (time to freshly cook don't you know!) The outer was crisp and broke into the lovely chocolatey oozey centre any foodie looks for in the perfect fondant! The size was perfect to follow the two courses before and rounded off a perfect meal at a lovely restaurant.
All in all, what a night. The service was first class and faultless. The staff were polite, enthusiastic and knowledgable whilst maintaining high standards at all times. The food was contemporary, full of flavour and perfectly timed so we could thoroughly enjoy the beautiful surroundings and modern artworks around us. If you are visiting the West Country, be sure to visit this Cornish delight.
9/10
The Bay Restaurant
Penzance, Cornwall
Telephone: 01736 366 890
Website: www.bay-penzance.co.uk Open:
Gallery 7 days in summer 11.30 to 5pm
Restaurant Sunday to Friday all year 12 to 1.30 Lunch, 2.30 to 5 cream teas, and 7 nights 6pm to 9.30 [last orders] Dinner
