Rick Stein's restaurants

[filthiestfis]

Has anyone had dinner at any of Rick Stein's establishments, and if so, what was it like? Would it be worth a trip to Padstow for this experience?

[janetsflower]

We went for our wedding anniversary. Padstow is a lovely place and there are about 9 Rick Stein places there including a fish and chip shop, a bistro, a gift shop, and the posher fish restaurants. All of them are quite expensive for what they are but not ridiculously so. They are all very nice and definately worth a visit but you do have to book in advance to get into the restaurants. Obviously we didn't see Rick while we were there and he doesn't cook your dinner for you but the food was lovely and there are a couple of nice traditional pubs nearby to visit afterwards. Padstow is quite a tasteful sea side town, by that I mean it isn't full of the usual tat and amusement arcades that spoil many seaside towns these days. The harbour was very active when we went and there are some lovely coastal walks, beautiful views etc. its also well located for visiting other attractions in Cornwall. One of Ricks places also does bed and breakfast but we didn't stay there because we didn't know it was available. I thik its about �160 per night

[rhona_j]

We had dinner in his cafe a couple of years ago, it was quite laid back, more so than his main restaurant (it's very formal) and it was lovely. When I say cafe, I suppose I would have called it more of Bistro, but he has another food place in Padstow that he calls a Bistro, confused yet?
Have a look at his website should give you an idea.
I thoroughly enjoyed the meal, and in fact was glad we hadn't gone to the Restaurant, it would have probably cost double for the same food! A stroll round the harbour afterwards made for a lovely evening.

[Catso]

Oh yes! We've been to the real restaurant (several times), the bistro (ditto), the cafe and the chippie.

If you can afford it, do go to the restaurant. It's in the order of �50/head for a main. Pricey, yes (gone up a lot in the last few years) but worth it as an experience and for the food. I'm presuming you do like fish, as that's what most of the dishes are. The food, I think, is the best fish dishes I've ever had. It is fantastic. Be warned, you will have to book months in advance, especially during the summer. Lunchtimes used to be a bit cheaper and easier to get in. It is formal, but not excessively so - smart casual. The staff (when we went) were really friendly and 'ordinary', though the service is top-class. Rick doesn't cook, BTW, and lives across the bay, now I believe, Rock way.

The bistro is cheaper, and more bistro-like (unsurprisingly!) with a wider range of offerings.

The cafe is just average. The chippie we thought way overpriced. We've had just as good F&C in other places, for half the price.

[almcd007]

Went down there for two days last year, for an evening with Rick Stein for the launch of a French Odyssee. It was held at his Fish School and we ate at the Bistro which was excellant and had breakfast at the restaurant (we were staying in one of his rooms at this large house (see website)) and we had fish and chips and paid most of his other establishments a visit - thought it was all fantastic and we were planning on going back this year but didn't make it - which we regret - It's well worth the visit.