Paul Ainsworth is one of the most recognisable chef names in these parts, operating a clutch of restaurants around Cornwall including Padstow Townhouse, Caffe Rojano, The Mariners Public House at Rock and his chef training academy in Truro.
Located in a gorgeous Georgian townhouse in the heart of Padstow, Paul Ainsworth at No 6 is the Michelin-starred jewel in the crown of his restaurant portfolio, serving contemporary British fare which champions locally sourced Cornish produce. Open Tuesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, the dining room here is a light and airy space which blends old world Georgian aesthetics with luxe modern finishes. There are no tablecloths or silver trays zipping around the room, which helps diners to feel relaxed, but the likes of studded black leather club chairs and plush light fixtures, plus beautifully plated dishes reassure you that this is a special occasion experience.
The menu at No 6 consists of a set four-course offering which is available at either lunch or dinner. A dedicated children’s menu is also available upon request and while the restaurant cannot currently cater to vegan diets, the team are able to accommodate most other dietary requirements. The menu evolves with the seasons, depending on which produce is available at the time, but you can always expect to find intriguing and visually pleasing dishes, including plenty of fish and seafood options (this is Cornwall, after all).
To start, you might tuck into the likes of morel farcie with roast chicken and manzanilla sherry, or red onion fondant with salt-baked celeriac. More substantial dishes meanwhile, might include wild turbot with mashed potato and onion gravy, or fillet of beef with seaweed savarin. Come dessert, don’t miss the showstopper titled ‘a fairground tale’ - a selection of dainty sweet treats served on a miniature revolving carousel.
After dinner, head to CiCi’s Bar upstairs for an after-dinner cocktail. Ainsworth also added the Mahe chef's table and development kitchen to the No 6 setup in 2019, where groups of up to 10 private diners can get a glimpse of dishes before they arrive on the menu in the main restaurant.