Falmouth is a town of two halves – the old and the new. When I first came here 15-years-ago I stayed at The Greenbank Hotel. I remember walking up the old high street for the first time and stepping into the Star & Garter, then a beautiful, 125-year-old pub with a view across the bay that took my breath away.

Today, the Star & Garter has been transformed into a gastro pub with a difference. The difference being they now serve amazing food. New owners, Becca and Elliot Thompson have made a superb job of maintaining the old and the new. The décor is a mix of classic and modern, respecting the 19th century building’s heritage but with contemporary accents, such as copper pendants and industrial-style lamps. But it’s the food that takes your breath away as much as the view. Chefs Andi Richardson, Stephen Knowles and Hoon Kim met while working at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, Fifteen - and come together here to produce an array of exciting dishes using locally sourced meat and fish. They also embrace a nose-to-tail philosophy when it comes to meat – butchering, curing and smoking all their meat in-house. For starters we shared a plate of Padron Peppers, tasty, peppery and perfectly cooked (£5). For main course I had the Stacked Beef Bun, a beautiful smoked beef brisket served with pickles and melted cheddar (£8). Mrs C chose a bruschetta of aubergine and heritage tomatoes baked with basil and ricotta (£12) – which she claimed was “a celebration of late summer seasonal produce.” Quite.

Perpetually in search of the perfect cocktail, Mrs C immediately fell in love with the home-made Limoncello fizz, (£8) made with fresh lemon and Prosecco. So fast did these cocktails disappear, at one point I felt the need to check her glass wasn’t cracked or leaking. Alas, I was wrong.

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Even on a cloudy Saturday lunchtime the Star & Garter brought a huge smile to my face. Looking out across the bay, Flushing was lost in a haze of mist but inside the sun was shining on a fun and enchanting eating experience. The smiley, happy staff compliment this well-run restaurant which is so worth the walk to the top of the old high street.

Mrs C, her breath now heavy with a faint, lemony tang appeared to have a new spring in her step as we walked down the high street to Jam, our favourite coffee shop; where the resident black dog always eats my biscotti! I love this old quarter of Falmouth, it has so much charm and history and is fast becoming a haven for good food and drink.

Star & Garter – 52 High Street – 01326 316663 - Jam Records – 32 High Street

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