Bistro De La Mer

Around the corner from the National Maritime Museum lies a cracking seafood restaurant that is something of an institution in Falmouth. Acquired by Tony and Alison Ward in May 2004, they are endeavouring to turn the Bistro into a national treasure.

Chef Tony uses his extensive international cooking experience to tempt with dishes such as fillets of sea bass with a champagne, caviar and crème fraiche sauce, lobster and tiger prawn linguine, roast duck breast with glazed beetroot, star anise and cabernet sauvignon reduction.

There is also a fantastic array of starters and various home-made desserts which can all be found on the a la carte menu. These currently run alongside daily specials such as seared Falmouth bay scallops, cauliflower puree and sauce lie de vin. Lobster is a speciality of the house, available all year round and cooked to your liking.

To complement the menu, Alison has sourced and compiled a fantastic wine list and a speciality champagne selection. House champagne is sold by the glass and the various vintages from the different champagne houses are all very competitively priced. Veuve Clicquot at under £45, Dom Perignon at £99.95 and Louis Roederer Cristal at £149.95.

Decorated in Med-blue and white there is intimate and relaxed dining on two floors. Downstairs there is seating for twenty six in the refurbished cellar dining room. On the ground floor there is room for ten or so in a bright and Med-feel café that is great for dropping in for moules marinières. Almost everything is made on the premises and all the fish and meat are sourced locally with organic foods featuring widely.