Caffè Rojano by Paul Ainsworth — Restaurant in England

Having tried all the Rick Stein restaurants and Nathan Outlaws at St Enodocs in Padstow and Rock we saw Paul Ainsworth on Masterchef and thought we would try Number 6, when we called to book we were told it was closed on Sunday and Monday but we could try the bistro at Rojano's, so two weeks in advance we made a booking.

We turned up at 7pm for our booking and entered a chaotic dark space there was no one on the door so we walked into the restaurant and waited and waited.

Eventually a waitress rushed past and said she would have to find her manager for us to be seated, after going upstairs and downstairs the unhappy looking manager was found, she shouted at the waitress to take Parmesan to table 22, then looked at us and asked us what we wanted.

She found a book buried under some debris on a table and said our booking wasn't until 7.30pm and that we would have to go away and come back at 7.30pm, she told us that she had 'two big tables coming in and didn't want us getting in the way.'

We explained that there were only two of us and the restaurant was less than half full, we didn't want to go away, surely we could be served before the two big tables arrived. The manager was not having any of it and told us to go and have a drink somewhere.

We refused and said we would eat elsewhere, to this she turned around and said our table was ready and they would seat us now, we said that we found the restaurant unwelcoming and didn't want to eat there.

It was a noisy, dark, chaotic restaurant with a string of terrible reviews through April and May all related to bad service, surely someone in this place reads these reviews and does something about it?

We walked around the harbour and found Cally an amazing restaurant, we hadn't booked obviously but they were welcoming and courteous, gave us a window seat with fantastic harbour views. We ate oysters, prawns and crab which were fresh and beautifully presented, the service was excellent.

Thank you Rojano's for making me realise that you don't go to Padstow to sit in some shady backstreet eating dough balls and burgers, it is all about the seafood and the harbour.

Based on this experience we won't be visiting Number 6 or any other Paul Ainsworth restaurant where the customer comes last.

We received a voicemail from the restaurant telling us we must phone them and they were sorry for the poor welcome we...

We had been to Rojanos before but not for a few years. We decided to give it another go after terrible service last year at Rick Stein Seafood Restaurant and have to say first impressions of the service were very encouraging. Our main server was the Italian guy, possibly Mauro? Very attentive and professional. At least until the end of the meal when he spoiled it. My hubby and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary and in the past had sat upstairs so had asked for that. We didn't get a table upstairs as requested because they had a party of 25 booked up there but no matter the table offered downstairs was fine. Food was delicious. Shared the squid from the sharing menu. Extremely moreish but a very small platter for £15. I ordered the lamb sobrasade mafalde which was gorgeous and my hubby a pizza fanatic had the diavolo. He always asks for olives to be added which seemed to cause puzzlement. We did need to add a side salad as the starter had been small to share. Dessert to die for. Their own vanilla and brown butter ice cream with toppings. Hubby had the Whoopsey Splunker and said it was one of the best desserts he'd ever had. I had the same ice cream with the Pedro Ximinez poured over. Just gorgeous! I had a g & t, my hubby had a beer and we shared a bottle of Pinot Grigio. I had a small glass of PX to go with my dessert. My hubby shook the server's hand and said thank you as hed been very attentive and we'd chatted to him about our anniversary and our daughters, grandson etc. However right at the end, after we'd paid the bill (with a generous tip I add) this same server, I think Mauro asked where we were staying and then if we were driving. We were not obviously but it seemed an odd thing to ask us and dare I say, seemed a bit judgemental as to what we'd drunk. We had also drunk a full jug of table water and I'd had 3 bottles of Fevertree soda water also but I must say I'd felt a tad self conscious as others around us seemed to be nursing one glass of wine or beer each with their jug of water! However we were there 2 and a half hours and it was our 43rd wedding anniversary! Shame really as all was good until that moment. Put a slight damper on it for me. It felt a bit 'off' and ruined the moment. We may go back again. ...

It's been a few years since our last lucky visit. The aranchini balls were the lasting memory (not forgetting the first class service). Having a couple of days in north Cornwall and needing a treat, we simply booked a table online the day before. We decided to take a trip on the super reliable ferry service from Rock rather than driving, it kind of adds to the experience. Do check the tide times as low tide can mean a walk on the beach. This is both a pleasure in dry weather and suitable foot wear, but a set of heals and new hair in the rain could end in a heated debate.... (I have been known to plan badly🤔😜). After a very pleasurable (COVID safe) trip on the ferry and a fun filled short walk across the beach on both sides we arrived in Padstow. A warren of shops, galleries, restaurants and pubs presents it's self almost chaotically around a tranquil enclosed harbor. After a short stroll around we popped in to rojanos a little early (before anyone got the taste for shopping before lunch). We were greeted with a warm welcome and accepted into the familiar stylish establishment. The staff are attentive passionate and part of the whole experience. The menu is simple but one dish had been chosen pre arrival and did not disappoint. The pizzas are very special but we decided on a few starters and see how it goes. Drinks obviously also a treat in themselves. I had a pint of offshore pilsner (very moorish but not today). Joined by a bellini and a jug of water. Now the choices were perfect and we had a selection of four. Simply put ribs, ragu on baked potato, Crockett's and of course aranchini balls. All followed by a Manhattan (I skipped pudding as I'm on a diet 🤣) and an affogato (reported by the consumer as....., J Clarkson would say 'crisis' inducing). So pizza obviously not required. I still think we could have managed it... I have left the description of the dishes as I think you should go and try them... It's hard to describe such individual little pleasures in a few words. To conclude another lucky visit to a venue that produces both food and service that are constantly outstanding. Thank you for the experience and hope to...