Good Pub Guide 2009 “County Dining Pub of the Year”

The Good Hotel Guide’s 2009 Best Dining Pub

Eatdrinksleep is the name of our company.  It is very simply what we want people to do at the Gurnard’s Head.  In a relaxing environment, as if you were at home – but without the hassle.  And we believe in the simple things in life – but done very well.  And for us “Simple” means real food, not fussy, with identifiable flavours, relying on the freshest of ingredients.

A Coastal Wine Dinner at the Gurnard’s Head

This event has passed, but we intend to hold more events in the near future. Watch this space for further details.

29th January

Join us at The Gurnard’s Head on the evening of 29th January from 7:30pm for an evening of brilliant wines from Astrum Winecellars and food from our own Rob Wright.   At just £45 per person, this is ridiculous good value and a wonderful way to say goodbye to the greyness of January.

 MENU: 

1997 Vernaccia di Oristano, Sardinia, Italy

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Smoked Pilchard and Leek Fritters/Winter Savoury Rabbit Rillettes
2007 Lagar de Costa Albarino, Riax Baixas, Spain

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Wild Seabass Ceviche, Fennel and Black Mustard Leaf
2007 Contini Vernaccia "Karmis", Sardinia

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Rack of Penwith Hogget Lamb, Dauphinoise Potato, Chickweed Salmoriglio
2007 Cottanera "Barbazzale Rosso" Nerello Mascalese, Sicily

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Violet Pannacotta, Lemon Verbena Risotto Ice Cream, Cantuccini

Solidea Moscato di Pantelleria, Sicily

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Espresso and Fennel Flower Shortbread.

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Limoncello di Amalfi.

If you’d like to come along, do contact lucycornes@hotmail.com for details.

The Felin Fach Griffin

We are lucky enough also to run the Felin Fach Griffin near Brecon, this year’s Good Food Guide Best UK Family Restaurant.  We’ve been there for seven years.  We think it reflects perfectly our wish for guests to have the opportunity to stay and eat in fine buildings in beautiful locations.  Visit us at www.felinfachgriffin.co.uk

Something for the Glovebox
                                                          
Take a look at Alasdair Sawday’s new book Go Slow England.  Always the promoter of the ethically sound, Alasdair has brought together some of his team’s favourite establishments, all with the common theme of promoting a more evenly paced and reflective way of life.  Later in the year, we are also looking forward to the launch of Diana Henry’s new book.  Her Gastropub Cookbook was ahead of its time when published in 2002, and it provided an enormous lift to the newly-opened Felin Fach Griffin.

Some New Wines

As at the Griffin, wine should be the glue that binds together the eat and drink elements of what we do, as well as aiding the sleep.  If we can point you towards a couple of new wines that we are doing by the glass from April: the Allion Sauvignon Blanc is a credit-rating enhancing cousin to Sancerre and its Touraine neighbour, Henri Marionnet’s Gamay will make for an excellent light, summer red.  For something slightly different and utterly rewarding, take a bottle of sublime French perry out to the garden and forget the credit crunch ever happened.

An unusual way to travel to Antigua

A word on behalf of local Gig rowers, Steve Gardner and Paul Harris.  They set off in December to take part in the 2007 Atlantic Rowing Race and belied their thinning hair to finish in Antigua 55 days later 4thof the 15 pairs contesting.  An astonishing achievement which should humble and inspire us in equal measure.  Read their diary at the-reason-why.co.uk and while there, you can still contribute to their adopted charity, Cornwall Hospice Care.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

When planning a journey to West Cornwall, travelling by gig might once upon a time have seemed as rapid a means as any.  However, it is getting easier now: the A30 is now almost entirely dual carriageway to Penzance and one of Flybe or Air South West now fly direct from Southampton, Gatwick, Bristol and other airports to Newquay.   Even First Great Western have a harder time than they deserve, although do remember that their tendency to close their buffet car between Totnes and Penzance can make for a dry-mouthed couple of hours.

Cots and Dogs

As we are often asked the question, it is worth reiterating here that dogs and children are as welcome to eat, drink or sleep at the Gurnard’s Head as their owners and parents.  Most interestingly, and unlike many establishments, we do not charge a supplement for dogs to stay in rooms nor for us to put up a cot for small children.   

Email us at enquiries@gurnardshead.co.uk
or call us on (01736) 796 928

Where?
The Gurnard’s Head is a handsome inn on an old-fashioned coast road from St. Ives to Land’s End.  To the north foams (or sometimes laps) the Atlantic, to the south, east and west stonewall criss-crossed farmland.

What?
Holding fast to the Griffin’s record of “the simple things in life, done well”, the Gurnard’s Head is another beacon for those seeking real food, unbranded wines, good beer and comfortable rooms. 
From its eclectic decoration and local folk music to its fine local art and photography, we hope the Gurnard’s Head becomes an institution in this happily undervisited yet mesmerising part of Cornwall.

Why?
The Minack Theatre, the South West Coastal Footpath, Land’s End, St. Ives with its galleries and its artists, the Eden Project, Cornwall’s many gardens.…
…or the opportunity to unwind, eat well and perhaps take a little gentle exercise along the footpaths and the beaches of West Cornwall.

How?
By car less than two hours from Exeter, three hours from Bristol and, once upon an exceptional time, four hours and one minute from London.

By train to Penzance or St. Erth (both 10 minutes from the Gurnard’s Head).
By air from Gatwick or Stansted to Newquay.  And then by hire car or taxi (45 minutes).