please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
We went to this pub on the strength of reading reviews from holiday makers staying in cottage we rented. All were complimentary and I agree.
It has a very deserved Cask Marque for its St Austell beers; Cornish, Tribute, Proper Job and HSD. We also ate: moule et frite and beer battered haddock followed by homemade Bakewell tart with clotted cream.
The staff were friendly and attentive without being 'in your face'.
It has a large car park and is dog friendly. A 5* pub in short.
|
Note to Johnny G. BITE stands for BEER in the evening, not Bouilabasse (sic) in the evening. What was the beer like? usually its ok.
|
Looks & feels the part - in lovely picture postcard setting, beer range & taste was fine, service friendly & quick etc. Lunch menu was on pricey side though & not very exciting either (seeing as it's now being run by an ex-Rick Stein chef) - only thing to excite was sea bass in bouillabaisse - but it was served with no veg at all - just a few thin slithers of bread (had to ask for more). Was told to book for Saturday lunch by staff but it was less than 1/2 full (1 - 3pm) !!
|
Looks & feels the part, in lovely setting, beer
|
The beer appears to have improved - my copule of pints of Proper Job were, erm, proper job. Sadly the glasses were not the cleanest I have seen and I had to ask for a top up on one of my pints which was met with a look that could turn the beer sour.
The bar still closes for the afternoon during a sunny weekend in half term.
|
I've been here about 4 times in the last 2 years. My last visit in April 2009 was very disappointing. The staff are still very friendly and the beer and wine are good but the food is now distinctly average. The Kew Inn was famous for its steaks - it used to be a struggle to finish the huge, succulent steak and chips. So if you remember how great these steaks once were, beware as this time I was served a puny sirloin which although tasty, was nothing like it used to be - apart from the price!
Service was very slow, starters mediocre and the puds were ponsey and forgettable (can't even remember what they were). If you read this Mr Ripley, sort it out and PLEASE go back to basics!
|
We've been coming here for years, even when the kids were kids. You could come back from Lundy Bay and sit out in the garden with a few scoops of well tended beer, before going home to wash off the seaweed and crabs.
But now with the new management, the door is firmly barred to late afternoon drinkers, and my life will never be the same again.
Please open all day through next summer!!!!!!
|
Sadly, my pint of Tinners from the barrel behind the bar was flat and soapy, so I tried a pint of Tribute from the hand-pump instead - this was only just drinkable. Not sure if this is a reflection on the pub or on St Austell Ales in general.
The bar closed at 3pm on Saturday afternoon too. we were lucky it was a dry afternoon and we could sit in the lovely garden
|
What a shame! Up until 2007 this was my all time favourite pub, it has now been ruined by the Gastro brigade. Over priced, ponsy menu - what happened to the wonderful pies, fish specials and great british puds!
Thank goodness the lady who has prepares the steaks for the last 20 years is still there, they are as good as ever, although much much more expensive.
|
Found this pub on our last night of visit to Cornwall. Wish we had found it sooner! Not easy to get to-like everywhere in Cornwall when you aren't used to the roads! but well worth it. We had a fantastic meal and the staff were very accomodating.
landy - 24 Jul 2007 22:39 |
This is a pub under relatively new management. Under the new leadership there has made every effort to maintain the proper balance between maintaining the 'pub atmosphere'whilst providing good foodin a convivial atmosphere. The staff serving at table were unusually well trained and maintained a nice balance between friendly banter and decorous nd proper relations. My steak was a little on the 'hard work' side but this was amply balanced by the general aura of friendship and good humour
|
As far as I am aware the St Kew Inn is the only outlet for St Austell beers which are served straight from wooden barrels. The HSD served this way is glorious - thick, sweet and utterly delicious. The only downside of the pub is that you ideally need transport to get there. Try and find someone to drive you there and back, you won't be disappointed.
|
The St Kew Inn is a must for us when we are in Cornwall. There are probably a few better pubs in the county, but I haven't found them yet. This place moves at a peaceful pace, and the calming effect works wonders on stress levels.
The beer (St Austell) comes straight from the cask and the food is home-cooked and imaginative. During the summer months there are barbecues in the garden opposite. The ingredients seem to be locally produced for the most part, and the quality shows.
The customers are mostly well-heeled and well-mannered, but the ocassional intrusion of a braying �bergit or two shouldn't detract from your enjoyment.
Cheers,
|
Yes get rid of the Gas Guzzling idiots who both ruin our environment, and want to convert exquisite country pubs like this to childrens entertainment centres where Tarquin will not catch any germs from dirty old flagstones!!
The only guzzling that should be going on is the superb array of beers/ wines, and the fantastic food.
One of my top 3 pubs - See Old Dungeon Ghyll, Langdale and Blue Anchor, Helston.
I only wish it wasn't a four hour drive for me, as it costs me a fortune oin the Bentley! (joking)
|
Just wanted to take issue with Geoff about the food. We had barbecued marlin steaks and honeycomb ice cream to finish. Spectacular!
anonymous - 20 Dec 2004 17:32 |
Geoff's comments re. clientele are worrying. Used to house locals.These loud 4x4 types should be barred.
Nigel - 21 Jun 2004 12:50 |
I agree with Nigel about the excellent beer and general ambience (the stone-floored public bar is a real treat) and good - tho' not spectacular - food. However, we've found that whenever we've been there it is populated by large groups of loud, hearty, self-satisfied golfing types in their Mercs and 4x4s who are "down for the weekend" from the Home Counties to visit their country pad. Probably nothing anyone can do about that, but it does detract from the quiet atmosphere.
Geoff - 28 Apr 2004 16:59 |
This is what a country pub should be like. Excellent St Austell beers straight from the barrel, and good food as well. A charming hostelry worth travelling far to find. Eutopia.
Nigel - 26 Mar 2004 18:03 |
