Paul Ainsworth at No 6

Been on holiday to Cornwall. Took mum & dad. Fancied a nice lunch. Went to Padstow. 9th September 2011.
Reports had been read and viewing of menus and prices at a certain number of Mr R Steins' establishments didn't really enthuse us. But Paul Ainsworth at Number 6 seemed like a good choice.
If you watched the 2011 Great British Menu, well he was the one who did the “trip to the fairground” dessert. (here it is £21 for two people – and about half a dozen of them came out whilst we were there)

So as Yorkshirefolk who appreciate “value for money” the three of us all had the Express set lunch menu (£17 for 3 courses).
We chose drinks, all were £4.50 though other choices at other prices were available, or matched to the menu for another £18 each!
mum a glass of white wine, villa rosa sauvignon blanc, chile.
dad a bottle of Korev Cornish Lager.
and a bottle of Doom Bar for me.
We also had a chilled bottle of tap water (no charge) on the table.

Home made breadrolls arrived (2 each in a basket) and some butter (could have done with more – didn't ask for any though!)

The starter came. Salmon tataki, pickled cucumber, soy.
This was very lightly smoked & seared salmon, and also included a little ginger, sesame seeds and micro salad garnishing.
Although it looks quite a light dish, it was a good amount. Very tasty and fresh. I'm not a cucumber fan but this was nice.

For the main, free range roast chicken, potato, creamed mushrooms. This also had buttered spinach with it.
The flavours here were superb. The rich intense gravy/jus against the creamy mushrooms and smooth mash.
The chicken was very good too. I did detect a hint of grit in my spinach but it didn't stop me clearing the plate.

For dessert, deconstructed orange cheesecake, marmalade, white chocolate crumble.
As it says really. The flavour balance was good, the marmalade tangy, the cheesecake “quenelle” rich and creamy, with real vanilla in it, the crumble “crumbly” and crisp.

The service was polite and friendly, not rushed or overly lagging either.
Overall excellent value for money, a very tasty and balanced meal (compare what you spend for Sunday lunch at your local!) and I would definitley go again.

One minor grumble, it was a humid day, and the cold beers and cold water bottles had condensation running off them onto the table, which dripped off whe you raised your glass. Coasters needed I think.
We did ring a few days before hand to book a table and recommend this course of action, as our first choice of day was full, so we just re-arranged our plans, the joys of being on holiday when you can do this.

At time of writing, one week after our visit, the lunch menu had changed to…
EXPRESS LUNCH MENU

beetroot carpaccio, chicory, crispy parma ham, parmesan. planeta rose, sciliy

ox tongue, purple sprouting, polenta chips, rosemary and anchovy. wildflower valdigue, california

apple and raspberry frangipane tart, chateau belingard monbazillac, france

2 courses for £13 ~ 3 courses for £17 ~ 3 courses and wine flight £35

What a wonderful lunch we enjoyed here. I had the poached chicken which came with croquet potatoes and spinach, the chicken had been poached to perfection and unbelievebly as it was on the special £5 per course lunch menu that's all I paid!!! amazing. My husband and friends all ate off the main menu which included sea bass and a beautifuly presented pork belly with scratching. Every bit as good as the famous sea food restaurant we ate in the night before so on our next visit to wonderful Padstow we will be trying it out for dinner.

After visiting Padstow for girlie gourmet and dining at the shrine of “you know who”, we decided also to visit the training establishment of the young Jamie in Watergate. Both very good (obviously!) but neither had the refinement of yer man Paul Ainsworth. Classy, smooth, tasty – and that was just the waiter!

Everything we ordered was a picture on a plate (well, a slate actually). I ordered the duck parfait, the belly pork and the coffee brulee. I was scared to eat the first two courses in case I didn't leave enough room for dessert but common sense prevailed and I wisely undid the button and zip on my trousers to accommodate the overload. I would have gladly sent out for a larger size rather than miss one mouthful – sheer bliss.

As it was essentially a birthday celebration we had secreted a fairly plain cake into the kitchen. When it arrived at the end of the meal it looked like an illustration for a sugar craft book. A work of art with soft fruit and chocolate layered and drizzled on the top.

At the end of the meal I was kindly introduced to the head chef, although I understand Mr. Ainsworth works in the kitchen himself. The space is so tiny I don't know how they get two chefs in let alone produce the dishes they do. I don't know how they do it but I am certainly very glad they do.

I wish Mr. Ainsworth would buy the empty pub at the end of our road. If I could afford it I would buy it for him, just so I could eat there as often as I liked without having a 5 hour drive both there and back.

My Visa card may well develop IBS after the weekend spend but it has been well worth it – alhough in view of what we had paid before we ate at No. 6, our bill there was extremely modest.

Well done Mr. Ainsworth and his wonderful staff.

Carol Marsh, West Midlands

Whilst holidaying in Padstow last week and having dined in Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant, we decided to try Number 6 and what a treat it was! It was as you would expect from a top London restaurant (a number of which I have had the pleasure to dine in, including Petrus) and this was no exception. Friendly service (nothing was too much trouble) a truely superb meal and the price about right. It was certainly well worth a visit. I thoroughly recommend this restaurant and if we return to Padstow Number 6 will be on the top of our list.
We were seated in the ‘Library’ for our lunch, which was quite small as there were 5 adults, one toddler and the latest addition in a pushchair.
We started with the No. 6 cocktail (just had to be done!), prawn starter and the rump steak and chips for main, followed by the espresso dessert. Everything was wonderfully cooked and flavoursome.
06.07.2009