In the pretty village of St Merryn, only a short drive south of Padstow town, you will find Rafferty's, a café and wine bar which first opened at the end of 2012. Owner Ed Rafferty (which is where the name comes from) used to work for celebrity chef and Padstow fixture Rick Stein, at the flagship Seafood Restaurant which first made Stein’s name. His family also have close links to the county’s farmers, which goes some way in explaining why local produce is at the forefront of the appealing menus at this relaxed eatery.
Rafferty’s is a light and airy space decked out in natural wood tones and complete with bare floorboards, wicker furniture and plump cushions scattered across the banquette seating which runs along one side of the room. The food menu here changes all the time depending on the seasonal availability of local produce and what has arrived in the kitchen, but typical choices might include chicken wings slathered in sticky honey and soy sauce or 28 day aged sirloin steak cooked to your preference and accompanied by fries, grilled tomato, portobello mushroom, watercress salad and pickled shallots. There are a few vegetarian options too, such as chestnut mushrooms on toast and cajun cauliflower with a blue cheese sauce.
Although wine is at the heart of Rafferty’s, children are welcomed and there is a special ‘little ones’ menu from which the kiddies can enjoy the likes of sausage, chips and beans or tomato and basil penne pasta, followed by cinnamon-dusted churros for pudding. Grown ups meanwhile, can explore the extensive and impressive list of European wines or get their sugar fix via chocolate and orange mousse or sticky toffee pudding topped with Cornish clotted cream.
On a budget? Take advantage of the set menu, which offers three courses for £17.50.