Logan Rock Inn, St Levan

Nice looking pub full of cricket memorabilia in a picture perfect village. Decent beer, polite staff. Shame the 'Cornish Burger' turned out to be two deep fried frozen grillsteaks (or what used to be called grillsteaks when I was a student) in a completely dry white bap served with fairly uninspiring chips for �8.95. Fish and chips (a quid less) was fine. On a Friday night all the tables bar one were booked so they must be doing something right (i.e. being the only pub within walking distance of a small village containing several B&Bs and holding a pub quiz).

26 Apr 2008 17:53

The Shipwright Arms, Helford Village

Personally, I was disappointed by this pub. Had long been meaning to visit after paddling past on a kayaking trip. Looks really cute and cosy from the outside. When I finally got a chance, I called to book for Sunday lunch. Was told that they don't accept bookings. Arrived at 13.45 and was told by barman that I was 'just about' in time for Sunday lunch as they finished serving at 14.00. The only food on offer was a salad bar (seemed very expensive - around the �13 mark for crab salad) and really, really jumbo pasties. While they were OK to share between two (at �7.50 including side salad) they were not what I'd come for. Was told that roasts had to be ordered in advance...so why wasn't I told that when I called to book? Inside, the pub is really old-fashioned, but not (in my view) in a good way. Half the inside (which is tiny) was taken by two tables of people tucking into Sunday roasts. The other tables are tiny with sort of half-width pews. Not a place to sit and relax. Drinks seemed horrendously expensive - �4.90 for a pint of ale and a pint of soda water (that's a lot for Cornwall). Overall, I have sympathy for this place. Obviously unlikely to get a lot of passing trade so I can understand their reasons for limited Sunday opening (the whole pub closed at 14.00, not just the lunches), but they're unlikely to get repeat business if they behave like you're inconveniencing them by going there. One group of four came in seconds after last orders and were refused a drink which I felt was a bit churlish. Don't particularly care what anyone else thinks of this post as it simply reflects my experience, but compared to the hospitality found elsewhere in Europe (though not necessarily the UK), it was pretty sad.

10 Apr 2008 21:11