Worth every penny and more! (Jamie Oliver Fifteen Restaurant (Cornwall))

Member Name: Vandersar

Product:	Jamie Oliver Fifteen Restaurant (Cornwall)
Date:	24/08/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Food, staff, atmosphere, value for money.

Disadvantages: Not sure about disabled access...Though I wasn't looking

We decided to visit this restaurant as part of our holiday to Cornwall and as an early birthday present to my partner. It turned out to be the perfect romantic experience. Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in Cornwall is well worth the expense for a special occasion and a credit to the staff and chefs who work there. Be sure to book in advance for both Lunch and Dinner to avoid disappointment, particularly in the Summer months.

The restaurant itself is in Watergate Bay: an isolated and beautiful part of the Cornish coast. The absence of hordes of tourists was a welcome break from the mayhem of nearby Newquay and the seafront location gives all evening diners an unforgettable view of the sunset over the Celtic Sea. The seating plan also allows everyone enough space and privacy to enjoy the restaurant's atmosphere without being cramped or excluded from the view.

So, down to business: The price was £55 each for a 6-course taster menu and a further £20 each for specially selected wine with each of the 5 food courses (the 6th being coffee) . The waiters and waitresses are experts and you can expect 5 star service which includes a quick but informative explanation of the choices on the menu. When the wine arrives before each course, the resident connoisseur will also give you a rundown on the wine( Why it complements the food, where it's from...) before leaving you to enjoy the food and the delights of Watergate Bay.

The food itself is immaculately presented and each course offers something different. Obviously the menus change from day to day, but the research and care that goes into sourcing the ingredients and getting the flavours right means that whenever you visit, you won't be disappointed with what arrives at your table. I even decided that for pudding, I'd deliberately go for something I thought I'd hate (Lemon) but even the dreaded Lemon blew me away with the quality of the taste. The coffee at the end of the meal was also a cut above and a great, relaxing way to end the evening. If you're driving or you don't drink, Fifteen has its own specially-flavoured soft drinks with the Dandelion and Burdock being a personal favourite.

If you're going to Cornwall or within driving distance of the restaurant, this is a unique and rewarding dining experience. I can't think of any Michelin star place I've been to that beats Fifteen on food or location. In Summary, it's a special restaurant for a special occasion.

Summary: Fifteen out of Ten