Fifteen

Another day another piece of fabulousness....

Today F got an early birthday pressie - I took him out for his birthday meal. several weeks early. I was making the most of a special, off season, lunchtime deal to go to Fifteen, one of Jamie Oliver's restaurant. It was lovely (and really quite reasonable). The restaurant is placed in a lovely position on Watergate Bay. We sat in the window and looked out at the blue, blue sky and the flat sea with the hazy headlands in the distance.....

Idyllic.

Then we walked along the beach and it was so warm. If it got no warmer than this in the sun all year I would be happy. Balmy and beautiful. It is still cold in the shade though and without the sun, that breeze can feel like a biting harpy of a wind. Winter has not let hold of her grip entirely yet. The daffodils are blooming everywhere now, swathes of them along the roads and in the fields.

I like Fifteen, the restaurant of today. They have a nice ethos. They buy local, seasonal produce. They support ethical suppliers who produce top notch ingredients. They take on young people as apprentices who need to learn to put their past lives behind them. they don't shy away from police records, but give those who truly want it a chance to turn their lives around. They have to work for it of course, and work hard..... So Fifteen is a charity. I know they do a lot of local work as well. A school I worked in had a class go there to learn about healthy eating.... i bet they do more than that....

So a couple of years back we visited Rick Stein's restaurant in Padstow. Which did I like best? Rick Stein's was old fashioned, discrete, impeccable service. Fifteen was funky and fun, the service was good but more chatty than fun. Fifteen had an aura of fun upmarket surf. Rick Stein's was just plain upmarket and sleek. I have no idea what Rick Stein does with all the earnings but I don't think he runs an ethical charity, I think he is a businesss.

Jamie's influence on Watergate Bay is understated, the restaurant entrance is tucked away. The building is an old beach cafe that has been restructured with a restaurant on top and a cafe and hole in the wall below. From the beach you would not know that the restaurant above was Fifteen. I am guessing the hole in the wall and cafe are also Jamie Oliver's but they makeno advertisement as such. The choice of drinks and produce showed the mark though. There was also a surf academy and surf clothing shop and whether he is a landlord or they form part of the charity, I have no idea. But there is no taking over and empire building here. Jamie sits softly and easily within Watergate Bay....

Rick Stein however.... Padstow is nicknamed Padstein. He has a restaurant, a chip shop, a bistro, a cafe, accomodation, a foodie gift shop, a bakers and a deli.... All branded. He has revitalized Padstow and given it's fishing industry a boost, but at a cost. His is an empire, a brand.

I can't fault the food of either. I adored both and would eat at both again if I was rich or they had another special offer.... but Jamie inspires....