New Habits...

Porthleven Nosh

Loose ends are just the thing for soaking up “treats”.  My last good treat was to bomb over to the Lizard peninsular and the ancient fishing harbour of Porthleven.  Of course it’s getting pretty touristy now, but still largely unspoilt; and they still catch fish!

You might know Pothleven well, and you might too have discovered how good the cooking is at the kota restaurant.  You go there for the fish of course.  I went there a couple of years ago when it was quite a different kettle of crabs; homely, with pretty tablecloths and serving steak pie, place and chips etc.  Now it’s certainly not minimalist modern, and it retains its “cottage” air, but the tables are polished wood and the cutlery tasteful.  The main difference is in the food.  I was there last week sharing a table with my old friend Michael de Montaigne.  He always has something interesting to tell me while I wait for my starter.

I decided on the marinated wild salmon to begin with, followed by John Dory fillets on a bed of creamy asparagus risotto.    The whole thing was totally delicious. 

The Salmon came shaped as a “timbale” with herbs and the marinade.  The raw fish had been cut into small dice which gave it plenty firm bite, while the flavour was fresh and clean.  On the side was a spoon of horseradish cream topped with the black pearls of caviar.   

The risotto was moist and tasty without being over creamy, while the asparagus inside was crunchy and full of flavour.  The John Dory was perfectly cooked of course and very fresh. 

My pudding was two chocolate and banana beignets with home made walnut and coffee ice-cream, and a pot of chocolate moose, fabulous with a glass of luscious Botrytis Semillion.  The little touches, like the choice of home made breads and the friendly, informal but very efficient service, made the evening special.  The food was not plonked down with “There you go!” or “Enjoy!”, but served with a simple smile. What a meal!

Do go and spoil yourself at the Kota, but book first!  If you don’t mind eating with kids, babies, teenagers and the other drawbacks of family life, go early from 5:30 to 7:30 for the “Early Bird” deal, and you can have a two course meal of selected dishes for £12. (or was it £15?) Last food orders are taken at 9pm, so this is definitely not a late night eatery.  By the time I left at about 9:55 the place was empty.

Pothleven itself is one of the prettiest little fishing harbours in Cornwall, and I am told that there is a good beach nearby too.

  "Click" on photos to enlarge!

Kota Restaurant,

Harbour Head,

Porthleven,

Cornwall

TR13 9JA

www.kotarestaurant.co.uk

01326 562 407

Pip, pip….