Packet review of the Greenbank restaurant's new lunch menu

The Water’s Edge restaurant at the Greenbank Hotel has welcomed an appetising new menu just in time for spring.

The man behind the dishes is head chef Bobby Southworth who joined the Greenbank team in 2017.

Packet reporter Kate Lockett, joined by Packet head of content Emma Ferguson, went along to find out what was on offer on the lunchtime menu.

When we arrived, we were greeted by friendly and welcoming staff and taken to our table, writes Kate.

Despite the grey weather, we were both immersed in the stunning views over Falmouth’s iconic harbour.

Our fabulous waiter came to take our drinks order, I decided to try a Watermelon Martini and Emma went for an ‘Umibozu’ – a house-infused lemon and thyme gin with orange marmalade and lemon.

And then it was time to order our starters and mains.

Following my previous review of The Hart of the Valley I decided to branch out a little bit with what I wanted to order (this one’s for you peasants_revolt!).

Starters

After taking a while to decide what I wanted, I eventually chose the honey-glazed ham hock with celeriac remoulade and apple with mustard dressing – and it was phenomenal!

The ham mixed with the celeriac roulade and diced apple was just an incredible combination – a worthy choice.

Kate chose the honey glazed ham hock to start (Image: NQ)

Emma was also delighted with her starter of goat's cheese with beetroot, picked walnut and rocket saying it was the “prettiest starter she had ever seen".

She said: “Creamy goats cheese was complimented by earthy tones of the beetroot and a tang from the pickled walnut.”

Emma's goats cheese starter (Image: NQ)

Mains

Next up were our mains: catch of the day served with seaweed butter, lemon crushed potatoes and tender stem broccoli for Emma and chorizo chicken with gnocchi, smoked tomatoes and red onion for me.

Kate went for the chorizo chicken for her main (Image: NQ)

At first, I was very tempted to go for the beer-battered fish and chips, but as I am on a new culinary journey I branched out and picked the chorizo chicken with gnocchi.

I'm usually very fussy when it comes to chicken dishes but have to say this one was what I would describe as the ‘epitome of perfectly cooked chicken’ along with the gnocchi (a first-time try for me) was delicious, just perfect.

Emma was delighted with her catch of the day main (Image: NQ)

Again, Emma was a fan of her main too, raving about the creamy beurre blanc, tender flakes of white fish.

She said: “The crushed potatoes had a subtle hint of lemon that cut through the creaminess of the sauce.

“The seaweed butter was not salty at all but instead gave a sensation of being on a harbourside breathing in the fresh sea air.

“Next-level comfort food.”

Desserts

Lastly, our desserts were served, and it was just the perfect end to the whole experience.

Emma went for the tiramisu with Kahlua sponge, mascarpone cheese, and espresso syrup and I picked the sticky toffee pudding and caramelized banana with cream.

Sticky toffee pudding with caramelized banana (Image: NQ)

The sticky toffee pudding was lovely and dense – but not stodgy. The sauce was just so divine. That with the caramelized banana made the perfect pudding.

The tiramisu was a big hit for Emma. She said: “A perfect ratio of sponge to mascarpone cream, with just the right balance of coffee.

Tiramisu served with sweetened espresso (Image: NQ)

“Being served with a small jug of sweetened espresso syrup to pour over just elevated it further.”

Summary

After our delicious three courses, we left the restaurant with happy faces and full bellies and agreed it was one of the best meals we had ever had.

We're very much looking forward to coming back very soon. 

The Water’s Edge set lunchtime menu is served between 12pm and 2.30pm Monday to Saturday. Two courses are £23 or for three it's £28.

To see the lunch menu and dinner menu visit https://greenbank-hotel.co.uk/eat-and-drink/the-restaurant/.