It may be owned by the St Austell brewery, but the current landlord at The Cornish Arms is none other than celebrity chef Rick Stein, whose influence looms large down the road in nearby Padstow.
Although locals initially might have been concerned that this pretty village inn would be given the ‘gastro’ treatment, Stein has thankfully ensured that The Cornish Arms remains very much a pub with pool, darts, skittles and a reassuringly traditional menu. The pub is only a short drive from charming local beaches including Harlyn, Constantine and Trevone, making it a good pitstop for dinner and drinks after an afternoon at the beach.
Settle down with a pint of Proper Job or Chalky’s Bite (named after the TV chef’s dog) while perusing the menu of pub classics and a few more recognisable Rick Stein signatures. Kick things off with the likes of devilled kidneys on toast or a half pint of prawns served with mayonnaise, before moving onto the selection of mains which features fish and chips, stacked burgers and a steak and ale pie. For those after something a little different, there are a small selection of traditional curries to choose from, while health conscious diners can opt for a salad.
End on a sweet note with a scoop of Cornish ice cream or a slice of vanilla cheesecake drizzled with salted caramel sauce. Those who prefer savoury delights can instead opt for Stilton served with toasted walnuts and honey, paired with a glass from the well considered list of wines.
At the weekends, head here for a slap-up three course Sunday lunch; celeriac soup perhaps, followed by roast pork served with crispy roast potatoes and seasonal veg, finished off with a sunken chocolate cake crowned with a dollop of Cornish clotted cream. There’s a beer garden for when the sun shines too.
Images: ©David Griffen