Rosevine, TR2 5EW
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Wonderful views of the cliffs, beach and sea” help inspire fans to this boutique hotel dining room, which occupies a clifftop Georgian building on the Roseland Peninsula. Opinions on the operation were a little up-and-down this year, citing “slightly erratic service” or food that’s “OK but variable”; but on the plus side, serious concerns were absent and ratings remain healthy all-round.
Summary
On the Roseland Peninsula, this clifftop boutique hotel occupies a fine-looking Georgian building in a glorious position, a short walk from the beach. Aaron McNamara succeeded Olly Pierrepoint as head chef in May 2022, just as our survey was concluding. We have rated the restaurant assuming a continuation of his predecessor’s high standard of cooking, which fans say was “simply fabulous! The tasting menu with superbly chosen wine flight is a journey you just don’t want to end!”.
Summary
“Views are lovely” at this clifftop boutique hotel on the Roseland Peninsula where chef, Olly Pierrepoint, produces a wide range of menus. At dinner the main choice is between the set meal for £65 (for three courses) or a more ambitious seven-course taster menu for £85 per person. One reporter felt results were “decent but with no fireworks”, but that was the least enthusiastic account, and fans feel the cuisine here is “very good”.
Summary
This “beautiful restaurant” at a clifftop boutique hotel on the Roseland Peninsula has earned a fine reputation for “highly unusual presentations of local produce”. But it lost Chris Eden in June 2019, who left after 12 years for rival Gidleigh Park (and subsequently it also lost its Michelin star). Chris’s replacement, Oliver Pierrepoint, arrived from La Trompette in London, and has both Fera and Le Manoir on his CV. Ratings were very good all-round in the survey last year, but given all the change after its conclusion we’ve left the venue un-rated.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Driftwood Hotel?
Owner's description
On warm evenings you may like to enjoy an aperitif on the deck — softly lit by hurricane lamps to add to the ambience. Returning here for post-dinner coffee and perhaps a pleasingly smooth Cognac!
We are not pretentious in any way and make no lavish claims about our food. Our aim is simply to awaken your taste buds with delicious flavours and textures obtained through the hard work of our dedicated team, and incorporating only the freshest seafood and finest, west country meats.
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dinner | £70.00 |  |
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| SundayLunch | £40.00 | £50.00 | |
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Traditional European menu
| Starter | Main | Veggies | Pudding |
|---|---|---|---|
| £14.00 | £28.00 | £6.00 | £9.00 |
| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.00 |
| Extras |
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| Service | 10.00% |
Restaurant details
The chef
Chris Eden’s passion for food and wanting to be a chef started at the tender age of 11 years when he cooked his first lasagne with his mum.
He enrolled at the St Austell Catering College at 17 years and there was no going back. He joined ‘Pennypots’, the first Michelin Star restaurant in Cornwall as a Commis Chef, under Kevin Viner who then encouraged him to gain some experience in London. Chris joined ‘The Lanesborough’ under Paul Gayler as a Commis; graduating to Senior Chef de Partie at ‘The Orrery’ and ‘The Square’ respectively, under the guidance of Chris Galvin and Phil Howard who both had a huge influence on him. London, for Chris, was always going to be a temporary period in his life as his heart was always in Cornwall with his family.
He returned to Cornwall and joined Driftwood in Portscatho as Head Chef in September 2007; achieving 3 AA Rosettes and his first Michelin Star in 2012.
Chris has always cooked very much from the heart; his food reflecting his upbringing and family influences. He is obsessive about sourcing the best produce that Cornwall has to offer, working with suppliers to ensure only the finest quality ingredients make it on to the plate.
Chris is married to the lovely Sam, an accomplished pastry chef in her own right; they have a little boy; Lucas and live in St Austell.
Rosevine, TR2 5EW
Opening hours
| Monday | 3 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Tuesday | 3 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Wednesday | 3 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Thursday | 3 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Friday | 3 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12:30 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | 12:30 pm‑5 pm, 6:30 pm‑9 pm |
