The Padstow harbourside building which previously housed Paul and Emma Ainsworth’s Rojano’s in the Square since 2010 is now home to the couple’s casual eatery, Caffè Rojano. Serving food inspired by the Italian restaurants of New York, the café-like setting of the restaurant lends a relaxed ambience to meals here.
The inside of the restaurant, designed by Emma and Eve Cullen-Cornes, carries through the New York Italian-style theme. The interior is inspired by 1920s art deco designs and there are plenty of references to the NYC restaurants that inspired the Ainsworths, yet it still maintains the cosy feeling of a neighbourhood restaurant.
When it comes to food, Caffè Rojano has plenty to offer on its all-day menu. The breakfast menu is available every day of the week and also on Sunday for brunch, including dishes such as French toast served with bacon cured in house, as well as some more American-style dishes such as buttermilk chicken waffles.
The all-day à la carte menu largely consists of sourdough pizzas and wonderful homemade pasta dishes, with the extra perk that you can also buy the pasta to take home to cook yourself if you particularly enjoyed it. Additionally, there is also a selection of seasonal small dishes to pick from if you don’t want pasta or a pizza, including duck hearts persillade and smoke cod’s roe.
Being this close to the sea, it’s no surprise that there are also plenty of fresh seafood dishes on offer such as Cornish mussels in fresh herb butter. Or if you’re after something much lighter, a range of sandwiches is also available.
The food menu is accompanied by a fantastic list of wines designed by Elly Owen, or alternatively there is also a selection of signature cocktails designed by the bar manager at Paul Ainsworth at No 6, Liam Evans.