In May we went on a weekend trip to Padstow in Cornwall. Many in the region and elsewhere call it Padstein as it would appear that Rick Stein has almost a monopoly in the town, with various restaurants, gift shops, fish shops, you name it he has it! We however, gave him a miss and honed in on Number 6, which is the jewel in the crown of Paul Ainsworth, he has a second more fun restaurant just around the corner,Rojanos, which is an affordable Italian.
However it was to Number 6 that we went, a smallish intimate restaurant where the 8 of us had small room to ourselves. Paul Ainsworth started out under the tutelage of Gary Rhodes, Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsey, and was awarded in 2013 his first Michelin star. He has also appeared on BBC in the Great British Menu, where he showcased his pièce de resistance, the Fairground.

On the menu, there are 6 starters, 6 mains and 6 desserts, I had the oysters ( can never resist) and they were excellent. Himself, can never resist smoked Haddock, which came with a poached egg and black pudding, right up his street.Another choice was the torched cornish mackerel which came with celeriac remoulade, parma ham and cucumber. All were good choices.

For our main courses the following were chosen, Shallot Tart, Roast cod, Monkfish which came with bone marrow and wild garlic, and the lamb rump, which was roasted in hay. Again all were excellent and no complaints there.

Then we came to dessert. Two of us chose the Fairground, not sure what anyone else had ( if indeed they had anything). To my mind the Fairground dessert ( which is for 2) was something way over the top and too gimmicky for words. It was served on a miniature trolley and included peanut popcorn, toffee apples, doughnuts, marshmallows and honeycomb lollipops. For me the best part was the honeycomb lollipops, these reminded m of Crunchie bars, something that I have not eaten since I was a child!, Overall though, I wish that we had chosen something different. would not eat it again and would not recommend it to anyone.

However, if it were not so far away, I would return, even though it is on the pricey side, the cheapest main, the shallot tart came in at £28.
The next day we went on a little walk ( about 10 miles or so), around the headland , this was quiet beautiful and certainly worked up an appetite for our next dining adventure. We headed over to Rock, across the estuary, but not to Nathan Outlaws at the St. Enodoc Hotel ( where he has had 2 Michelin Stars for the past four years, but to a restaurant called The Dining Room. from the outside, we were I have to admit a little dubious about our choice, it seemed almost like a clapboard small bungalow, not a restaurant at all.

But we were in a for a Big surprise. we had the most amazing meal, prepared by Fred, the head ( and only ) chef and served by Donna, his long suffering partner, fiancee ( they have been dating for over 10 years!) see the menu below and the prices! and a picture of Fred. We could not fault anything, the service was impeccable and the food remarkable, I wish he were nearer London, I would go every week!

and a final word, Fred marry her!