2 Fore Street
Mousehole, Cornwall
Dylan Thomas put his admiration for the loveliness of this Cornish coastal spot on record in 1936, when he rented a cottage here. The charm is undiminished to this day, not least since the town now boasts Joe Wardell's bustling, double-fronted restaurant just a skip up from the harbour. A sheltered garden offers summer comfort to the alfresco constituency, but the place is welcoming throughout. Outdoors or in, seafood favourites are the order of the day, with moules marinière, smoked mackerel pâté or salt-and-pepper squid with sweet chilli dip to kick things off. Main course could be a classic shellfish risotto or seafood curry, or perhaps lemon sole fillets crumbed in panko and served with minted pea purée (nothing mushy here, thank you), rosemary chips and caper mayo. There are steaks for the refuseniks, and caramelised rice pudding to finish, flashed up with armagnac-soaked prunes. Wines include as many reds as whites, with standard glasses from £5.40. The latest addition to the business is a shop, No 1 Millpool Deli/Stores, just around the corner.
