Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Established over thirty years ago by Roger Harris and his wife Anne, this pleasant little restaurant has a strong reputation for the provision of excellent local ingredients, served in an imaginative and attractive fashion. Most of the fish comes from Newlyn, while local estates provide the game for those tiring of fish, and the desserts are straightforward but attractive.

At lunchtime a light menu is also offered. The restaurant is also open for dinner on Monday in the summer, and for Sunday lunch on Bank Holiday weekends. The wine list is commendable and offers plenty of choice under £20. House wines are French and Chilean, starting at £12.50.

To be fair the Coastguard Service does have good reason for locating its stations in places where they could indeed guard the coast, but the view from the Old Coastguard across Mounts Bay really is something else. Surrounded by sub-tropical gardens that lead down to the sea, the restaurant was described in The Times as "one of ten top waterside eateries".

Within a panoramic dining room a mainly maritime a la carte menu that makes the most of the local produce offers asparagus, lime and garden herb soup, lobster bisque with fresh mussels and seared red mullet, or fresh lobster with a samphire and fine bean salad amongst the starters. Roasted hake fillet with saffron rice and pan-fried banana has a roasted red pepper, chive and Parmesan butter to diffuse the flavours, and for real fish lovers there is a medley of Cornish fish with gurnard, lemon sole, haddock, monkfish and mackerel accompanied by a panzanella salad.

Pan-fried fillet steak is served with roast plum tomatoes, crushed new potatoes with chorizo and oregano and a red wine jus. Of one thing you can be sure, if what they want is made or grown locally they will not have missed the opportunity to incorporate it into the menu. Their crab sandwiches are legendary.

Well kept local ales are available along with the customary range of lagers and bottled beers, and a decent wine list.

Set in the heart of historic Penzance amongst the antique shops, art galleries and bookshops, the Chapel Street Brasserie offers a fixed price menu which represents excellent value and the freedom to explore the wide range of dishes; all made with a hint of French style and the best Cornish ingredients. You can start your day with fresh Illy coffee, warm croissant or pain au chocolat and newspapers or meet your friends for lunch to enjoy the traditional 'Plats du Jour', or a gourmet sandwich or salad. Evenings are the right time to enjoy the wines and champagnes by candle light while weekends usher in smooth live jazz music.

Cornish pork and caramelised apple terrine served with celeriac remoulade might appeal to a few while others may prefer quenellas of prawn mousse served on toasted brioche. Main course options include dishes such as beer braised pheasant breast with leeks, potatoes, agen prunes and bacon.

The Navy Inn, just off Penzance Promenade is an AA Rosette awarded pub and restaurant that serves Modern British cuisine. The interior features bare floorboards, a traditional bar and relaxing, stylish dining areas. The atmosphere is friendly and informal where you can visit for just a beer, sit around with cups of coffee and read the papers, snack on sharing plates or have a full three course meal.

Start with smooth chicken liver parfait with shredded local game, a fresh brioche roll and wild mushrooms in a balsamic and Pedro Ximenez dressing. Consider roasted fillets of John Dory on lemon cous cous with tomato herb butter sauce and slow cooked belly of pork on a stew of tomato, hogs pudding and chick peas for main course. Desserts include Viennese biscuits with rich espresso ice cream and dips and white chocolate tear drop filled with Cornish blackberry mead syllabub.