We Review: The Jetty Padstow

If you’re calling on a Cornish harbour town, then there’s one thing most visitors have come to expect… sensational seafood. And that’s what you’ll get, and more, at the Harbour Hotel Padstow’s new restaurant, The Jetty.

When any new restaurant opens in merry Padstow, there’s an instant hype. Positioned on the prolific north coast, Padstow is the ultimate chef’s kitchen with direct access to some of the country’s finest ingredients, naturally setting the bar that little bit higher.

And there was no shortage of buzz at the opening of The Jetty at the prestigious Harbour Hotel. Treated to a live three-course cooking demonstration by the restaurant’s chef patron Alex Aitken, we were given direct access to the latest gastronomic venture, to land in popular Cornish hotspot, Padstow.

Located on the ground floor of the hotel, but open to both residents and non-residents, The Jetty is a 60-cover restaurant, with some of the best views in Padstow. Overlooking the Camel Estuary, it’s a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch, dinner or a drink or two. Open throughout the week, there’s a dedicated bar, in addition to a terrace – where dogs can dine too – and lawn area, where you can enjoy views out to the working harbour.

To give a bit of background, Alex comes with an impressive CV; having previously earned a Michelin star and retaining it for five years. He’s a thirty-year veteran of cooking in the New Forest, Hampshire, and is the gastronomic force behind The Jetty restaurants at Christchurch, Salcombe and Southampton. Before entering the hospitality industry, Alex was a trawler man, and you’ll only need a glance at the menu at The Jetty to see his fishing background shine through.

The seafood-dominated menu has been thoughtfully devised to celebrate the essence of the Cornish coast, and it does just that. But during our cooking demonstration it wasn’t strictly food of the sea, showcasing Cornwall’s finest ingredients from land and sea. Starting with a wild mushroom risotto, with poached egg and rich Madeira sauce. The main course was a masterpiece; a stunning combination of sole, salmon and caviar with lashings of butter sauce, which was as easy on the eye as it was on the palette. The sole fillet was generously stuffed with a salmon mousse, sitting on a bed of crushed potatoes and spinach. The dish was finished off with a creamy Champagne Beurre Blanc sauce, and caviar.

Our sweet tastebuds were satisfied too, with a pina colada panna cotta, which was served with a local Twin Fin rum, roasted pineapple and refreshing coconut sorbet. All of our course were paired perfectly with wine which was selected by the restaurant’s sommelier, creating a truly decadent gastronomic experience.

We’ve no doubt that this Padstow restaurant will attract diners who are not just enjoying a holiday here, but also locals who love good, honest food, and quite frankly you’ll never tire of that view. We’re delighted to welcome The Jetty into Padstow’s fold and look forward to returning again (did somebody say lobster Thermidor soufflé).