A PUB formally known as The Kings Head, which has been in Church Street since 1861 was revamped last year as The Kings. I remember visiting back in 2007 and it wasn’t a night to remember – but now under new ownership this wonderful old building has been totally transformed and is now rated as one of Cornwall’s’ best pubs, according to TripAdvisor.

As a special treat I took Mrs C for Sunday lunch and we were not disappointed. I chose the roast lamb which came with a swede mash and was one of the biggest plates of food I have ever seen; and I really needed the pint of Skinner’s Lushington to help it on its way. Mrs C had the roast chicken breast and we shared a lovely leek, broccoli and cauliflower cheese which was amazing. I was impressed with their Yorkshire pudding too, which included a sprinkling of herbs within the batter. They also offer a vegan and a vegetarian roast option complete with a vegan gravy. But it was the special’s board that caught my eye – and for which I must return on a weekday to sample. The King’s resident French chef, Vincent Bethermin has cleverly constructed some favourite French classics including onion soup, Pork Normande and Moules Mariniere.

The atmosphere at The Kings is very laid back and relaxed but what I love most about this place is the service – which is a sheer delight, starting with a friendly greeting at the door before being showed to a table and followed up later when Vincent arrived at our table to check we were happy with our food. This is exactly what pubs have to do today to ensure they survive in a troubling climate where pubs in Cornwall continue to struggle with over 40 already closed in since 2010.

The Kings is a pub and restaurant that Falmouth should be enormously proud of, for both the quality of their food and the excellent service. I plan to go again, first to sample the enticing French Onion soup and then perhaps to allow Mrs C to finally get to grips with their Sunday cocktail night – though to be on the safe side that may have to be a girl’s night only.

You can follow Tony Cowell on Twitter: @cowelltweets