Countryman Inn — Restaurant in England

GIVE IT UP BEFORE YOU MAKE SOMEONE ILL. Had lunch in a large family group as this pub used to have a good reputation. Arrived 10 minutes early and the main door was locked. Shown round to the back entrance and asked if we wanted drinks and so I ordered a Bloody Mary " all the ingredients?" the barmaid asked. I said yes but it arrived with a piece of lime instead of lemon, no Tabasco and there was no Worcestershire sauce in the pub. Family arrived and we all ordered. I went for the homemade tomato and basil soup with fresh baguette, followed by a bacon and brie baguette. The food (or some of it, as it came in dribs and drabs) arrived and the family member opposite had a piece of pie with pastry reminiscent of school. You remember, similar to cardboard, anointed with congealing packet gravy. My homemade tomato and Basil soup had been made from Passato and pesto and was a complete stranger to the concept of a fresh tomato. The baguette was frozen and thawed in a microwave, or similar, with the customary pat of hard frozen butter. The following baguette was no better. Cheap bacon barely cooked, slice of tasteless brie (not grilled) and the same form of bread. YUK! My partner had bangers and mash, Easy? Well, the mash was fine, the bangers were the cheap supermarket variety with the same congealing packet gravy on top. She was luckier than others. One ordered a fillet steak which refused to leave the kitchen and we had almost finished when his arrived-quality unknown. Another ordered cod but was proffered belly pork, which she politely declined and her cod arrived ten minutes after everyone else had finished -quality unknown. Well, there you have it a pub with not much drink and totally indigestible food. Just the sort of place to take the VATman to lunch, if you have no mercy. I am sorry to be so harsh but there comes a time to all of us to move on to avenues new. In this case...

Easily the best pub we've been to in the UK hands down, if you are even remotely in the area make sure you come. Nick the publican has been here for 40 (four zero!!!) Years and has built this place into an amazing centre of community and happyness. There are pretty much events on every night and everyone we met was so happy and welcoming, the food was fantastic as well and there are a great selection of beers and other options. We arrived on a Tuesday and were treated to a night of shanties and decided to stay another night for Wednesday to enjoy a band of 20 local musicians playing beautiful Cornish music. Honestly one of the most surreal and amazing experiences we've had while campervaning around Europe and the UK, we really can't thank Nick and his team of lovely staff enough. We are already planning on...

What can I say... I asked Nick the legendary landlord to reserve me and the fiancé a table for their valentine's menu the day before valentine's day the Monday. He asked for a time I said between 6 and 7. Plans changed and I phoned at half 7 changing the table for 8 o clock they were most accommodating saying this is fine. Upon arrival there was a table in the corner with a lovely laid table with a candle and a rose. Looked rather welcoming and romantic. We preordered in advance but there was no long wait whatsoever. The starters were presented beautifully and tasted amazing. The main course wow what a fillet steak which they cut themselves and the dessert was the cherry on top. Amazing quality tasty food and brilliant service. Well done Nick, Georgina and crew brilliant way to end or should I say start...