The whole place and its contents are very feminine and beguiling. As you wander through to your table, romantic 40’s music (reminiscent of post war nightclub music – ‘Play it again Sam’) wafts on the airwaves and requests that you should relax and enjoy what is about to unfurl.

The dining room is white and airy with great candles on the tables and pictures from local artists dotted about the place. If the weather is bad

outside there is so much to look at on the inside, that if conversation were dull the surroundings are not. And on a warm summer’s day, there is

masses of seating outside which is also delightful, as you can enjoy your meal looking at interesting and pretty plants from the nursery adjacent.

We were greeted very warmly and shown to a vacant table. On the day we went the place was pretty busy and I was glad that I had booked

otherwise I fear we may have been disappointed and not got a table. (So refreshing to see a full restaurant in these days of recession).

Our welcoming waitress came to ask us if we wanted a drink, (did we ever?) and we chose an extremely quaffable Chenin blanc from South Africa

at a very reasonable £14.00. In fact all the wine was reasonable, prices range between £12 and £25.00 and there is wine by the glass as well. A

blackboard reveals the menu, except on this day the only starter left (and it was only 1.30pm) was a spicy tomato soup at £5.95 with ciabatta, and

as it turned out lots of it with lots of butter. I was not in the mood for soup, but quick as a flash our lovely waitress offered to get a plate of salad

made up for me, if I would like. I did like, and a very large and colourful plateful it was too. My opposite number selected the soup and when it

came, mumbled over the soup spoon “‘um pretty solid stuff this, but still very good!”

The blackboard went on to reveal lots of choice for the main courses. Roast beef, roast chicken with thyme roasted potatoes, season veg for £9.95.

Quiche of the day at £7.95. Pie of the day at £8.95 and vegetable tart at £7.95 all these options sounded like they were full of exciting flavours

and colours to tempt the palette but I had already decided roast chicken. My munching mate of the day also chose the roast but decided on the

beef. And then it arrived! If you are one who considers value for money comes by the tonnage then you will not be disappointed here. On a plate

there was a mound of roast potatoes in a sea of gravy on which sat a large helping of meat on top of which sat the Yorkshire pudding, plus there

was a big bowl of veg to accompany it. Very attractively presented, although personally I would rather help myself to gravy than have my food

swimming in it.

We were invited to select what we wanted for pudding from, where else but the deli counter. Meringues to absolutely die for, tarts, cakes and

of course clotted cream. We chose one treacle tart and one plum and oat pudding which resembled a soft flapjack. Both extremely generous

helpings and, I say, do have some pudding with your clotted cream old chap!! The serving of cream was the size of a cricket ball, yellow and

soft and gooey as it should be.

This is a thoroughly down to earth place what you see is what you get, literally. You can see the food coming out of the ovens which are behind

the deli and you can see the food being plated. Care is taken with presentation Everything is fresh as it can be. The staff are charming. The prices

are very reasonable and I vote The Olive Restaurant as one of Cornwall’s best!

Go and try it out for yourself; Tapas evening every Friday starting 6.30pm until 1pm. How fun is that? 

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