Rajpoot of St Ives

5a-6, Gabriel Street, St Ives, Cornwall. TR26 2LU

01736 795 307

Thursday 20th December, 2012

Cornwall's St Ives is famous for two institutions. One is the Tate St Ives and the Barbara Hepworth Museum, which opened in June 1993 and the other is the Rajpoot Indian Restaurant, which opened in 1994. (OK! that's three!).

Late in 2011, Pat and I had taken the train down to St Ives, not just once, but twice! However, we still didn't get the opportunity to visit either, so we decided that a return journey was needed to complete our Cornish experience. Again, we booked the train, which was very enjoyable. The buffet car is available, ableit with inconsistent opening hours, and stocks a sufficient choice of alcoholic drinks. However, not the same can be said of the dining menu. On our three trips we have yet to choose from a full list.

We arrived at Penzance train station and were lucky enough to secure ourselves a taxi driver from Bulgaria, called Jordan. Manners are clearly alive and well in Bulgaria, because he cheerfully and without any prompting, put our bags into the boot of his car. He then opened the passenger doors for us so we could occupy our seats, and then closed them. This was not a one off! we booked him for the whole trip and he performed these rituals, whenever we were with him.

Pat had booked a wonderful overnight venue owned by the St Austell Brewery, called Pedn Olva Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, (www.pednolva.co.uk). It is situated on the West Porthminster Beach and is just a short walk from the Rajpoot. The contemporary rooms have amazing views towards St Ives bay with private balconies and sun chairs, and a table just large enough for drinks and nibbles. So you can relax in style, while watching the sun go down. There is also a vast roof terrace with residents pool, if you feel like company and a dip. On this occasion, we felt it was just too cold for those twenty lengths. Besides, we hadn't packed swimming costumes!

After a hearty cooked breakfast, watching the seals splashing about in the water, we set off for a brisk walk around St Ives, the shops, and ultimately, in the direction of the Tate St Ives.

Photo: 'Tate St Ives,' and, 'Rajpoots bar, that you can sit at.'

After a energetic day, we had worked up a good apetite for a curry! Pat had telephoned proprietor, Abul Choudhury to tell him that we would like to visit and present him with his, 'BEST IN CORNWALL AWARD.' During that conversation, Abul had generously suggested that we meet up in the evening and stay for a meal. He remembered us from many years ago, the table that we sat at, and the food that we ordered. And he was right! What a memory! When we arrived, he immediately recognised us, and insisted that we sit at, 'our usual,' table, which we did with pleasure. The restaurant has changed since that day and is very modern but cosy, with three dining rooms, some exposed stone work, original photography, (taken by Abul), a fish tank and a stylish bar that you can sit at.

Abul, quite rightly taking full advantage of the marketing opportunity, had spoken to the local paper - The Cornishman, and they had sent a photo-journalist, who was waiting for us. He took several photos of Pat presenting Abul with his, 'BEST IN CORNWALL AWARD' certificate, together with a copy of the, 2013 COBRA GOOD CURRY GUIDE followed by an interview, with the all important question - what makes an award winning restaurant?

Photo: 'Original photography on the walls and the fish tank,' and, 'Popadums with the Chutney Tray.'

Photo: 'Mango Paneer,' and 'Onion Bhajia.'

Waiters, Karim and Riad - who you will meet later, brought us glasses of red wine and a metal basket of light, crispy and warm, 'Popadum 60p,' with the, 'Chutney Tray £2.40.' Followed by starters of, 'Mango Paneer £3.79 - cheese marinated in mango sauce then grilled in the tandoor oven,' and, 'Onion Bhajia £3.49.' As you can see our waiters placed the plates down, directly infront of us, perfectly in line with the monogram. Both starters were cooked very well. The paneer was lightly spiced, the mango was not over powering, it melted in the mouth. The Bhajias were huge and very crispy. Both were served with a undressed, freshly prepared and chilled salad. We thoroughly enjoyed everything, Pat dividing his Onion Bhajia with me. However, I was not so generous with my paneer and gave him only a small square, as good Indian cheese is hard to find and it is one of my favourites, so I hogged it to myself. Other starters to order include, 'Mushroom Delight £3.99 - mushroom stuffed with spiced chicken, cooked with golden bread crumb,' and, 'Chicken Spring Roll £3.79 - spiced chicken rolled in pastry.'

Photo: 'Pat dividing the Onion Bhajia,' and, 'Aloo Gobi.'

After our delicious starters, Abul asked us what we would enjoy for our mains. He reminded me that I ordered Chicken Dhansak last time I dined at the Rajpoot, so I decided that I should order it again. I wasn't disappointed, it was amazing! nicely sweet and hot. Pat chose, (with Abuls help), one of the restaurants specials, 'Rajpoot's Fantastic Tawa £12.99 - Tawa dishes are cooked using a mixture of spices and ingredients that are only to be prepared with the unique knowledge to combine different flavours to bring out the aromatic and tantalizing taste of each dish,' together with a, 'Aloo Gobi £3.79 - potato and cauliflower,' (because, I like the aloo and Pat likes the gobi), a 'Garlic Nan £2.99,' for me and a, 'Paratha £2.99 - shallow fried flaky bread,' for Pat. Other tasty sides include, 'Chana Sag £3.79 - chickpeas with spinach,' and, 'Cucumber Raitha £2.50 - plain yoghurt, cucumber and herbs.' We did enjoy all our dishes tremendiously and hope we did them justice! But portions are generous here, so be warned!

Photo: 'Abul presents the Rajpoot's Fantastic Tawa - King Prawn Tawa.'

Photo: 'Riad serves the Rajpoot's Fantastic Tawa - King Prawn Tawa.'

Photo: 'Chicken Dhansak,' and, 'Garlic Nan.'

After a quick chat with regular customers to gain their views, a, 'thank you for having us,' and Pat telling Abul how pleased he was in making the right decision in awarding Rajpoot the, 'BEST IN CORNWALL AWARD' I asked the team for one last photo, before we bid them good night and wishing them a wonderful Christmas and New Year!

Photo: 'Pat Chapman, Abul Choudhury, Riad Chowdhury, Karim Khan.'

Rajpoot of St Ives

5a-6, Gabriel Street, St Ives, Cornwall. TR26 2LU

01736 795 307

www.rajpootstives.co.uk

Hours: 5.30pm till Late