Amélie — Restaurant in England

Amelie's restaurant is, I find - One of the best places possible to dine. Especially during the evening for their dinner service.

The restaurant is signified very clearly along the harbour promenade, Coloured very clearly in blue. Sadly, I did not find step free access into the site. Upon entering, You are pleased to find an open and spacious environment accompanied by a grand piano - Gesturing to some light music as you dine. Greeted by very friendly and smiley staff, Finding your table either inside the main building or in the glass conservatory seating area staring over the very quaint harbour with a small separate bar. A very picturesque and atmospheric place to sit nonetheless !

The tables and surrounding areas were very clean, with cushions on the seats for added comfort. I did find however that sitting in the glass conservatory may be very bright during the lunch service. The tables are however rather small - I find, With little place for food, Especially with families. Cutlery was clean. Toilets are also clean, however small and located at the top of a flight of stairs. Lego and colouring can be requested for the children so you can enjoy the bubbly !

With the menu ; I find it simplistic and clear. A lovely selection of everything you could wish for : Fish, Shellfish, Roasts, Burgers, Wood Fired Pizza. The same standard of wide variety is also applicable for the far larger wine menu. I am sad to say that no other drinks menu were provided for non alcoholic beverages. Pricing of the food was absolutely perfect and amazing value for quality.

The speed of service was slower than expected however, But this was a small point glossed over with the fantastic standard of food. All sourced with local, fairtrade ingredients served fresh. As shown, presented beautifully with exquisite taste. Stunning flavours and textures are all the better. The food options were also very healthy ; served with a large array of salads and extras. It does certainly feel like the chef is spoiling you !

I recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment as this restaurant is usually rather busy.

Overall, A very happy experience. I definitely recommend paying a visit to...

Slow service, I can forgive if the place is busy but it wasn't. We were sat down for nearly 20 minutes before someone came to take our drinks and then food order and this is the first time I've ever been in a restaurant where the food arrived BEFORE the drinks. My son's pizza was burnt black around the edge, good job he's not a fussy eater. Some of the potatoes on my Porthleven Fish Dish were cold, some of them were so hot I had to wash them down with a drink. The hake was cooked nicely: the skin lovely and crisp. They forgot to serve the bread with my partners mussels but when we reminded them and they served it... It was delicious. The desserts were lovely, we had the Eton Mess and the Chocolate Mousse and strawberries. They forgot to bring out my son's ice lolly - after reminding them, it was just a shop-bought one from a multipack box. We were sat against the wall and felt quite crammed in - if I had to go to the bathroom, my backside was centimetres away from the table next to me's food as I squeezed between the tables (and I'm only a size 12). It felt like because we had a child, we weren't allowed to dine in the conservatory. Quite windy and rainy outside today but the doors remained open, even after a family asked to be moved because it was cold. All in all, the food was OK but the service could be improved. If I order a drink, I expect it to be made within a decent amount of time... Especially when the staff are stood behind the bar talking amongst themseveles and not to be arriving after our food is served. Maybe have a look at having deliveries before the restaurant is open if possible. We were waiting 15 minutes to get someones attention as 3 of the staff were putting the drinks...

Nice food but absolutely dreadful service.

We had booked a table prior to arrival and upon arrival we were seated in the conservatory which had a nice feel to it but the tables were terribly sticky. We then found that we were completely forgotten and had the feeling other customers in the same seating area felt the same. We waited approximately 30 minutes for someone to take our drinks order and thought we may as well order food whilst we had the chance! Drinks arrived and had gone well before food arrived. A member of staff apologised for our wait and we were given another round of drinks "on the house". Given the acknowledgement and apology for the lack of service there was still no remedy. We were told that Thursdays were notoriously busy nights but there were lots of available tables where we were seated and if they are notoriously busy then why can't they plan ahead? Food took approximately 1 hour to arrive (which was only pizza and pasta). We were going to have dessert and were given the dessert menu. However it was another 20 minutes or so before someone came to ask what we wanted and by this time we just decided to get the bill or else we'd be there all night waiting for dessert! When paying upon leaving all waiting staff were standing behind the bar. Would not go there again and I was tempted to sneak out the back door rather than pay. A dreadful experience and the worst service I and others in my party have ever received in a restaurant. I can only say it's reminiscent of Fawlty Towers and I will enjoy telling the anecdote for many...