Is there anything better than a night out, heading out to dinner at a fine dining establishment? Dressed up, heading somewhere nice, so that you can relax and enjoy exquisite culinary offerings, as you bask in the ambience of an upscale restaurant. At The Old Quay House, experience fine dining in Cornwall in a comfortable, relaxed setting, in our gorgeous restaurant with its breathtaking views of the Fowey estuary. When you are already at a restaurant that offers locally sourced, high-quality ingredients, artfully prepared and beautifully presented by an experienced head chef and his skilled team, how can you make your gourmet gastronomic journey any more pleasurable? We have some tips on making your dining experience an even more luxurious indulgence.
Plan Ahead
Part of the point behind dressing your best to go to dinner is the way it makes you feel, confident and self-assured. In some establishments, however, it is also a requirement. There are restaurants where a jacket and tie are de rigueur, so it is important to do a bit of homework ahead of time and determine the dress code of the restaurant you have chosen.
At the Old Quay House Restaurant, smart casual is a perfect look for lunch or dinner. Pulled together, yet comfortable, nice, but not fussy. The atmosphere at The Old Quay House is serene and inviting, especially for those dining on the spectacular terrace overlooking the estuary. If you are not accustomed to fine dining, while you are making your plans, make a note of the prices on the restaurant’s menu, so that you can set your budget ahead of time. If you have a good idea ahead of time of what you will be spending on food and wine, you can simply relax and enjoy yourself during the meal.
Listen to the Specials
At fine dining establishments, the menu you are handed is not the complete list of dishes that will be offered. Typically, there will be a specials board noting creative, seasonal dishes, or the wait staff will inform you of the specials when you are deciding what to order. Pay attention, because you might discover something a little bit different that appeals to you. You can even ask the wait staff for recommendations, and try giving your taste buds something of an adventure.
Chef Richard Massey creates the menu based on a philosophy that offers guests only the finest local and seasonal ingredients, with the highest quality seafood, West Country meat, Cornish cheeses, and fresh, locally sourced produce, so that only what is in season is used in the dishes at the restaurant.
This guarantees an exquisite dining experience, with dishes made from only the best ingredients the area has to offer, but if there is something on the menu that confuses you or you are concerned about things like allergens, ingredients, or spice levels, feel free to ask. Our staff is here to make your dining experience enjoyable and memorable.
Choose the Right Wine for Your Meal
Make sure to make room in your budget for wine, because one of the most rewarding aspects of fine dining is pairing your food with the perfect wine. There are combinations that work beautifully to bring out the flavours of your food, like Pinot Grigio with sea bass, or red wine with a beef dish. Hard and soft cheeses, cured meats, and sweets call for dessert wine, and fried food goes surprisingly well with sparkling wines like Champagne and Prosecco.
If you are in doubt about your pairings, ask for help. The staff is well-informed about the wine list, carefully curated by the Master of Wine to complement the food and provide guests with a pleasurable experience.
Experiencing Fine Dining in Fowey
The Old Quay House Restaurant, offers dinner from 6:00pm to 8:00pm each night of the week, with a la carte options available. On the weekends, we serve lunch from noon to 2:30pm, with cream tea available, as well.
Sundays are particularly special, as our chefs honour the beloved tradition of Sunday Roast, with two courses prepared as a Cornish Sunday Roast of the Day. Many of our menu items are gluten-free, and if you have any questions about allergens or other ingredients that might interfere with your dietary restrictions, ask our friendly staff for more information.
View our lunch menu
View our a-la-carte menu
Dine with Us, Stay with Us, at The Old Quay House Hotel
If you are visiting Cornwall, The Old Quay House Hotel is not only the perfect Cornwall dining destination, but also a wonderful place to stay. Nestled in the heart of Fowey, this riverside boutique hotel offers a modern-day bolthole away from life’s stresses and chores. Stay in one of our 13 luxurious rooms and you will enjoy not only big comfy beds and every amenity you need for a decadent stay.
Our location is perfect for exploring the quaint, bustling, seaside town of Fowey, enjoying its cafes, boutiques, and galleries, and our restaurant is one of most popular in the area. There, you will enjoy fine dining, with delectable menus for breakfast, lunch, afternoon high tea, and dinner, in a gorgeous setting, where you can watch life on the estuary unfold from your vantage point on the terrace.
We strive to provide each of our guests with a unique experience. Once a refuge for sailors, The Old Quay House is deeply connected to the area’s history, and the character of each bedroom is meticulously crafted to tell its own story. For more information about our accommodation, special offers, or our restaurant, call +44 0172 683 3302, email [email protected], or contact us through our website.
