Rick Stein's Seafood Restaurant June 2014

 The boy and I have set up a little gourmet fund, supposedly not to be touched until our 40th birthdays (which are a long way off, obviously!)  However we couldn't resist dipping into the fund during a trip to Devon, as we were staying a short drive (okay four hour round trip but it was worth it) from Rick Stein's famous Seafood Restaurant in Padstow.

http://www.rickstein.com/The-Seafood-Restaurant.html

We went for lunch on a warm sunny Sunday in June.  Padstow was heaving with tourists and
Rick's restaurant was a little oasis on the harbour front.  The restaurant has all the trappings of a high class dining establishment, as well as some pretty out there art on the walls.

We had already decided to go for the sharing 'Fruits de mer' platter; what better way to judge the merits of a seafood restaurant!  Although we didn't order starters we were presented with olives and homemade walnut bread with seaweed butter which was most unusual and delicious.  We sipped a glass of chilled white wine and waited for the main event.  The equipment soon started to arrive...

I have eaten such a platter once before when living and working on the west coast of France.  I was a little anxious about not knowing which implement to use for which crustacean but I needn't have worried, it was all very intuitive...

The platter was piled high with lobster, oysters, mussels, winkles, langoustines and several types of crab - a celebration of seafood, with only shallot vinegar and mayonnaise needed to accompany it.  Other diners turned to look and smile at us as we cracked and picked our way through the pile.  Cheering us on or smirking at our novice shellfish eating skills?  Nah, doubt it,  I think it is one of those things where you just need to go for it....and go for it we did.

It took a while but was one of the most satisfying and celebratory dining experiences i have had, and I must admit to a little decadent thrill at leaving such carnage behind!

We later heard that Rick was around at the restaurant that evening so we were really sorry to have missed meeting him and would like to apologise for the state in which we left his tablecloth.  Definitely a meal worth the pilgrimage - we'll be back if we are ever in the area.

Whilst I'm on Padstow just a quick mention to the Chough bakery (yes you do pronounce it Chuff, which is what caught my eye) http://www.cornishpasty.com/

Where we purchased fabulously fresh pasties to have for supper that night.  Thanks Padstow.