The people mumbling were saying, " omg look at the bloody prices" Everything you said Andrew I also said. Who are they catering for? Certainly not locals. I agree that the ambience is that of a cafe. I don't think anyone would consider spending £80 in a cafe 😊
Thank you for remortgaging your house to be able to share your dining experience with us. As a local (Helston) I find it very sad that prices are so expensive. Beautiful views though.
Eating out in England in general can be quite expensive. St.Ives is usually that little bit dearer. We've recently stayed there and I would much rather grab some lunch at the porthmeor beach cafe or even the balcony on the harbour front. Both offer stunning views and are more reasonably priced. The Tate, like you say, just looks like a cafe, a very overpriced one at that. Thanks for sharing 👍
While I could justify the price for a special occasion lunch, for those prices I really would hope for table cloths and napkins and a more sedate vibe. Some soft furnishings would really help to reduce the echoy cafe/kitchen noises and make it more bareable for people with sound sensitivities. I definately won't be visiting (even for coffee and cake) so thank you so much for the helpful review.
I've been to eat at The Tate a few times when it was a cafe and really enjoyed the food and vibe. In the summer when my son visited and wanted to go to the Tate I took him to the cafe thinking we would have a nice salad or a sausage roll. I was surprised by how quiet it seemed to be especially as it was a Saturday in August. We were handed a menu and were shocked by the prices. We didn't want fine dining type dishes in what was essentially a cafe. We ended up having coffee and cake and even that was expensive and apart from the view, the experience fell down flat. I think they've made a big mistake changing it to a restaurant. Why change something that's working really well ? Last week I went to Porthmeor Beach Cafe that's in front of The Tate. The food is fabulous and you get a great sea view. My portion of chips was huge!
Another great, informative, video. We always found Pedn Olva to be good value, although we haven't been since June 2019. Thanks for the time that you've taken, and the expense, in providing this.👍
I think it was a great idea that you had previously visited at the same time last year when it was a 'cafe' and decided to do a comparison it now being a 'restaurant'. If the decor, service and general quality of the food was on par with last year, The Tate cannot justify increasing their prices in order to rebrand it as a restaurant! My idea of a restaurant reflecting high prices should include high quality food with a luxurious decor. The staff should be attentive and moreover, be dressed smartly. Not t-shirts as I could see in the video. As for the view, you could have got that at the Portmeor cafe! They can't be 'surfing', on the fact there is a fantastic view in order to bump up the prices. Put it down to an occasional nice treat, that's how I like to justify being charged over the odds!! ❤
The place looked and sounded like a works canteen, not a restaurant. The food should be good and cooked properly no matter what they charge. I cant see how they can justify those prices. My tip, try a Tesco £3 meal deal. I'm down in Cornwall in November, but i wont be dining there. Loved the film by the way.
Based on your video and both your comments, I would agree with Andrew's rating. It was way too expensive even if the food was good. I'm sure that you are aware you can ask them not to include the service charge. You can then add your own tip. This is what I tend to do when a bill contains the included 12.5% service charge. Good video, as always !
St Ives has changed so much over the years but has always been popular. It's another foodie heaven for some like No6 and Ricks Seafood restaurant in Padstow, not to mention Prawn on the lawn! Always look forward to your Cornwall video blogs Andrew and Sarah. My wife and I have been visiting Co8every year for the past 50 years. Many thanks Steve
I was at the Tate in July and loved the gallery, but decided to eat at the beach cafe on porthmeor instead. Wonderful food. Not much of a hot take but Silco, Talay Thai, Blas, 1 Fish Street and the belgian cafe are all top notch.
And that's just for 2. As a family no way could u afford a meal in there just for a lunch. I know galleries and museums are always expensive for eating but this does seem out of place almost for where it is and for a lunch 😢
We were in two mins whether we could jusitfy and would probably have walked away but curiosity got the better of us - we only visit St Ives once a year and that's enough to reminds us why! Sarah :)
London prices follow London seasonal migrants! At those prices I would expect linen tablecloths and napkins, table lamps and upholstered chairs! And more courses or bigger portions. And a guaranteed window table!
We went to have a look last year and I felt even then that it was expensive and as you said it was more like a cafe and lacked atmosphere so we didn’t stay .
Aaah....our Gary!! Nice mention!!! Are you thinking of joining him in his pursuit of finding the perfect place to eat?? 😊😊He seems to have disappeared this week actually...probably having a break (maybe he's hiding in Cornwall??!!). Anyway, interesting to see your meal out compared to last year. All too expensive for us mere mortals here in Kent! Egg, chips & beans is about our limit! Loved Andrew's ''£81 pounds?'' ££81 pounds?'' ''£81 POUNDS?'' and then Sarah replying...''You didn't even pay for it..I did!!!'' made me giggle. x J x
We would love to have a channel that was giving that number of views - we would retire and do UA-cam full time!! He must be doing well! Ha! Ha! Sarah :)
We've just opened a cafe in lansallos called rosslyn, after me and my partner pick are jaws of the floor watching this,I thought it best to post and say we do pasties nad locally made cakes, half no quarter of the price😂😂😂😂
I think my hubby would have taken one look at the menu and scarpered 😂. The food did look nice but again... hubby would have complained there wasn't enough on the plate 😜. I think we'll be avoiding that one. It would seem they are catering for the rich London holiday makers... you can't blame them for trying I suppose 🤷. Always lovely to see your reviews guys 🙏💖
With prices like that they need noise reducing tiles on the ceiling and white table cloths! They’ll go broke over the winter when the tourists are not around.
If you want a great place to eat with a view, West (on Porthmeor beach) is a must. They are now closed for the winter. But do return when they reopen next April 👍🏻 On a sunny day, you get transported to the culinary delights of Greece and away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of St Ives. The share platters are generous.
Hi guys…..no I haven’t been and simply wouldn’t due to the price which you know you’re going to have to pay! Pasty and a cold drink sat on the wall gives just the same view haha!
I agree with your review Sarah and Andrew, although the food looked delicious and the views amazing, I agree overpriced, more than my weekly shop, it felt more like a cafe than a restaurant, pleased Andrew put jam on first, it’s a matter of choice I expect, it’s not my choice but I would give it 3 out of 5. enjoyable video, thank you 🙏
Cor stuff that, get yourself down the Falcon in bude on a Sunday for the Roast, £15 each delish and if you get the beef you get a gigantic Yorkshire pud too
I would expect Linen (not paper) napkins at that price level. These prices are something we endure in the South of the country (too close to London) even in our pubs, which all proclaim themselves to be Gastro Pubs (large plates. small portions) ......not that any of us ever asked for 'Gastro Pubs'. Pretentious nonsense for people with more money than sense. Better meal in the Lifeboat (St Ives) Sarah, still with a sea view - albeit not in a elevated position. Never mind, Andrew is worth it, although I suspect he would rather have 16 Pasties for that money! I think the Tate will find those prices difficult to sustain, especially during the winter months when all the London second home owners have retreated to the metropolis.
Very entertaining but a bit shocked at the price. You two are going to get a reputation for reviewing eateries here in Cornwall and can just imagine manager’s faces drop when you walk in 😉😂🤣 but your reviews are always very fair and balanced. Thanks for swallowing the cost on this review
Best to check the menu and prices before you sit down. There was a place called the Grape Vine near the Banks there 30 years ago Superb. Sadly it was gone 12 years later and turned into a cafe.
NB We find the Pendolva good for a hot drink stop as its the same price as buying one on the beach in St Ives and you get to use the facilities. Spoons has now shut so thats sad so we drove to the Penzance one but they have started charging for parking after 4pm!. Everywhere is expensive. We had pastys in St Ives but we walked to sit down and they werent very hot. That cake shop that does cruffins or something do nice cakes but like £3 each! Glad you had a nice lunch!
Our content is lead by the audience. These videos attract more views, subs, comments and engagement. The walk videos are not as popular so we are publishing them on Patreon, www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-video-of-112951707?Link&. why not give it a try! Sarah :)
We’ve just come back from st Ives today if you want a great lunch go to the harbour view bar in st Ives best fish tacos ever and very reasonably priced, definitely recommend it.
We had a cream tea with a coffee and a coke at Porthminster beach cafe in September, it as the very best views and the scones were delicious and only £9.48 . 'Give it a go'
Loved the Gary Eats mention and so glad you both enjoyed your meal. Nothing worse than paying top dollar and not getting your money’s worth. Great video as usual.
Interesting they upgraded the food (and the price) but not the experience. I would think nice table coverings at least. So noisy as well. Lol, Andrew made us laugh. I don't think you can go for the view when so many seats don't have the great view. Personally, I would rather have a scone at the Jam Pot, of course Gwithian is my happy place. Thanks so much for taking us along on this adventure.
I think you are missing the point that this is not a stand alone eatery, this is part of Tate St Ives. The gist of It's mission statement is about making art widely accessible to all. Art has long had an unfortunate association with wealthy patronage. What sort of message does it send out when there is no reasonably- priced meal option? Can't afford £30 for the langoustine? Well perhaps this isn't the place for the likes of you. Note also that in season, you are only guaranteed to be able to sit for tea and cake between 10.30 and 11.30 or between 3.30 and 4.30. 11.30 to 3.30 is prioritised for diners and you can only have a cuppa if they happen to be slack. They suggested that we could go across the road to Porthmeor Beach Cafe if we wanted a drink!We used to enjoy visiting the galleries, breaking the visit up with tea and cake, or maybe one of their (now defunct) wonderful salads for lunch, followed by a mooch around the shop. It is now not so relaxed an experience...... round the exhibits and out because there is nowhere to be able to stop for refreshments. This is particularly unfair on disabled visitors. We are Tate members, but will not be renewing our membership. They've sadly forgotten why they were there in the first place.
Agree with Andrew poncy food. Try a walk from Treyarnon bay to Porthcothan and visit Berryfields for cream tea. Home cooked food scones freshly baked daily with loads of jam and cream with fresh strawberries and of course tea .
We would to go to Cornwall at least twice a year. The best place to eat is The Portminster Cafe in St Ives. The food was consistently excellent and the same with the service over the last 9 years. Not the cheapest , but food and service were faultless which to me is worth paying the little bit extra. Correct, Andrew, Jam first!
I'd say it's hardly a 'restaurant' with that awful ambience. The meals you had last year, when it was a cafe, were far superior ~ content, portion & price-wise. I think they're taking the public for a ride with those prices. Those charges should come with generosity, ie unlimited jam, a cafetiere & small jug of cream for refills and something like chocolate mints to round the meal off. Excellent review! :)
my husbands comment was 'Id rather buy some takeaway fish & chips & sit by the little church on the headland, still the same view' - wowzers that was dear - James Martin used to say on Saturday Kitchen, change the word 'sauce' on the menu to 'jus', and you could add an extra £5 ;-)
Thanks for the honest review and for checking it out, especially the comparison between this and your last visit…it still looks just like a cafe, and seems overpriced for what it is. I don’t like it when restaurants automatically add a service charge; I’m happy to tip when I receive good service, but I would like to make the decision as to whether to tip or not; it’s seems very presumptuous of them to assume the service will be good enough for a tip of that size. We have a few pricey restaurants here in East Devon, such as The Pig at Combe and The Ivy in Exeter, both with much more choice on the menu, delicious food and amazing surroundings (a trip to The Ivy in Exeter is worth it for the fancy ladies’ toilets alone!), even though the prices are similar and the service charge is added! I feel you get a much better experience at these restaurants than you would at The Tate, plus there are other lovely restaurants in St Ives which are much cheaper.
I’m not keen on the Tate Gallery anyway, I went once and almost all the pictures on show looked like a Dulux paint card, just blocks of colour. So its no suprise how its gone. As others have commented, if I’m paying those prices I would liked to be served by someone who dosen’t look like they have just come from a job on a farm. The Hake looked good but these are Stein’s prices without the ambience. Thanks for the review, since Hobbler’s shut down I’m always at a loss where to eat in St Ives.
Sarah, your comment about trepidation is a perfect description when it comes to dining in Cornwall. I get that feeling every time I go out, even to places I have been to before because each time varies from good, average and bad. Even if you enjoy it, you are still getting fleeced. Yes, you are paying for the views and it was nice you got a window table. Did other diners not want to sit there? They still paid the same as you and didn't have the views to enjoy. As with a lot of these places, it looked very pretentious. It was a noisy cafe with restaurant prices. I personally would have walked away when I saw the menu. There wasn't anything on there that made me want to get in there and nosh. I eat hake and chips at home every week. At least it was a decent portion. Most fish dishes are tiny. Apparently, it is cheaper for restaurants to buy the smaller pieces of fish, which is why they serve up small portions as they can maximise their profits. My fishmonger told me that. Interesting to know. It's a shame you can't go out and eat simple, but nicely cooked food. This posh stuff is boring. I would have refused to pay the service charge just out of spite. It's not mandatory, as you know. I'm finding that every time I eat out (which is not often now) there are less and less people. Another rip off establishment. Good you mentioned Gary Eats. His videos are brilliant, as are yours. Thanks for the great review. Tracey x
I notice you say about others coveting our table. There was one couple that begrudged us having a dessert. They turned down other tables to wait for us to finish while drilling holes in us as we ate! Very intimidating, Sarah :)
We had a coffee & cake there in September, it was mid morning but no Danish pastry type ‘cakes’ available so had a Victoria sponge & the gazillionnaires shortbread too…that was £20.53 It was a nice day (we were lucky enough to get the nice week in September!) so sat outside but I get what you mean about feeling like a cafe not a restaurant We had lunch later in the day down by the harbour, paying £80 (including tip), sitting outside in the sun with the ambiance of people bustling by…but we had exactly what we were looking for which was a tapas style lunch of bread, mussels, olives & mackerel fillet plus one dessert (affogato) & a double espresso and a bottle of wine (strategically placed on the table as a seagull deterrent 😉)
Well we watched this in fits of laughter and a sense of Dejavue. We were there on Tuesday and came away with a very similar conversation to yourselves. We went in for lunch, but were shocked by the prices and opted for scones and tea / coffee. The menu then was not as extensive either. The background tune was the waiter continually telling waiting customers, that he would be ‘ there in a minute’. It made it feel like you were sitting on a conveyor belt. They certainly increased the jam and cream quantities, but the scone was just ok, nothing special, and no fruit scones either. In our opinion, it was just a cafe, with pretensions, serving overpriced product. Next time we are in St Ives we will try somewhere else to eat. We certainly had much better coffee at a lower price sitting on the harbour side. Keep these up, it always gives us ideas.
That was wonderful review, but the price was extortionate. Having said that we are invariably shocked at the prices to eat out when we come from France, where we live, to walk the Coast Path. (15 euros for a delicious 3-course meal in our local French/Italian restaurant, drinks extra). Thanks for another great vlog.
Hi, to call yourself a restaurant appropriately, they should have a tablecloth, as you mentioned the exterior looking from your table windows dirty, windows even looked dirty, the word that describes this is tired, I'm an expat from Cornwall, exorbitant prices, 7GBP for chips, for a lunchtime meal again prices way over the top, one saving grace from your reactions the food was good.
@@trudysimms1564 It’s probally dead in winter, I live in the South West and my Wetherspoon's is heaving in summer but apart from Christmas is dead in winter.
Sorry but I hate Wetherspoons. One of the biggest reasons for the closure of genuine local independent pubs, and its owner supported Brexit . . . and look where that’s got us. While I accept it’s a cheap boozer, I’d rather support a local indie and have one decent pint rather than two or three at Neverspoons.
flipping heck... no no no...best place for lunch has to be Geevor mine cafe, large portions not to expensive and the staff were great, plus you got a view.
Does'nt lool like a restaurant more like a cafe. They need to upgrade their tables & chairs and i'd expect table clothes and a layed up table for those prices. What restaurant does cream teas and cakes. Deff a cafe.
Yes! My thought too. It's now a "restaurant", but with those cafe-type chairs and no nice tablecloths? What a joke! It's like they're thinking, we can get away with whatever we want to do. On the other hand, if someone really wants to eat there -- that "use the Kids' Menu" tip was brilliant!
Hi Sarah and Andrew. I think it is way to expensive for a lunch and it reminds me of a cafe atmosphere not what you expect from a restaurant. They should go back to being a cafe with the cheaper menu as the food from the previous video looked far more tastier and portion size looked bigger.
This smacks more than a little bit of naked greed by the Tate, combined with confusion about their primary objective. What their main clientele want, presumably, is somewhere to get a variety of appropriate refreshments throughout the day while visiting the gallery on holiday, or a family day out. Which isn't really compatible with fine dining, at fine dining prices. They can't charge such a ludicrous premium for the view alone, as almost everywhere you go in St Ives has views to die for, or failing that, character, in spades. You might expect a fine art gallery to be a little pricier (and better quality) than a basic caff, but this is just taking the St Mick's Mount. And as for that giant service charge....whoah!! Thanks for taking one for the team...!
I'm getting more and more annoyed with restaurants adding service charges to the bill. Tips etc should be left to the customer. We have had brilliant service and gave a very large tip to the waitress, and we have had bloody awful service and had to argue to remove the service charge.
Your food looked delish, l would have enjoyed it im sure, love golden beetroot, scone shouldnt crumble, probably had egg in it. A no no for a good Scottish scone😉 £80 !! and NOISY !!!...Your meal last year much better value. It is now a restaurant not a cafe. Loved the video love Cornwall.....Alioban ❤
Unfortunately this up selling seems to be happening more often. Happened to the Fish and Chip shop in Rock, stopped selling cod and has had bad reviews.
I guess you're paying the St Ives tax, where most things cost a bit more. £80 for what is still basically a cafe, does seem a bit steep, but I guess if it's treat every now and then, why not. Still can't beat a Philps pasty sat on the beach.
I really like St. Ives and also the Tate Gallery but I have never visited the restaurant there. The food looks really delicious, and the views are great if you get a table by the window 🙂 But I think it looked more than a café than a resutaurant. They can simply not increase the prices just by renaming the place 🙄 A bit stiff prices, definitely, but not really much more than I could have expected in a Norwegian restaurant for a hot meal, scones/cakes and a drink, at least when I convert the prices to Norwegian NOK. That is why I don't often eat out 😄Our currency has sadly become very much less worth the last couple of years, at least compared to EUR and GBP. What I definitely didn't like is that they just added a tip without asking. It should at least be written on the menu as a warning that all prices are without tip / tax or whatever they call it, and that it will be added on the bill. I would expect mandatory tipping like this without warning in the USA, but not in the UK. I guess you didnt leave an extra tip on the table 😄 Thank you for the lovely video. Torunn 🥰
I’d rather get a large, hot Cornish pasty from a local bakery. Not overpriced carp from a pretentious restaurant. As they say … never buy food from an art gallery nor paintings from a restaurant!
We reckoned that afternoon cups of coffee were enough from the overpriced Restaurant. This is only available for the last 15 minutes of service between 1530 and 1545, otherwise it’s an overpriced restaurant. where soup and bread is £9 - £12. Porthmeor beach cafe is right in front of the Tate with great views and reasonable prices for its tapas. We opted for Cintra, overlooking the harbour, which has its “small plates” choices for around £10 each. We had hake and crab dishes plus truffle and Parmesan chips, with change from £30.
I'd score it a lowly 1. The restaurant is more like a work's canteen - laminate topped tables tells me that. £24 for a small portion of Hake is extortionate & chips/fries (frozen, mass produced) a £7.00 is just plain greed to be honest. Service charge is a no no for me, if waiting staff have gone over & above and it was silver service at the table, I would leave a tip. For a plated meal, there is no work involved other than taking it to the table, waiting staff are employed to do just that. Thanks for the reminder as to why I NEVER go to St. Ives!
That is a ridiculous price to pay for lunch. As for the service charge/tip, that should be up to the diner and not the restaurant and then only if the service and food are upto or exceeding your expectations. A fixed service charge should only be applicable if it's a group of six or more, this is quite normal in Calgary Alberta Canada. The last time we went out for a steak dinner, including drinks and a sweet, at a nice restaurant it cost us around $150 for two of us, about what you paid for lunch!
I have just come back from a fortnight in St Ives and was very disappointed to find the cafe at the Tate is now a restaurant. I did have a cup of tea there but when I went back to get some lunch I found out that they only serve meals and not light lunches. I think they have made a mistake in changing and not catering for people with simple tastes. They are now catering for an elite sector of the market and I think will alienate a lot of visitors. Such a shame. I wish I'd known you could order off the kids menu, that would have been great!
Never been so I cannot comment but if I can be so bold ( and apologies before hand) Sarah's red lipstick is very fetching. I don't recall this having had an outing before. p.s. can you please revert to the walks . Thanks
Our content is lead by the audience. These videos attract more views, subs, comments and engagement. The walk videos are not as popular so we are publishing them on Patreon, www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-video-of-112951707?Link&. why not give it a try! Sarah :)
Some faceless nobody from London is looking at the balance sheet and thinking we're hiking the prices and to hell with the complaints from the Tate st Ives, Eighty quid for lunch, I wouldn't be rushing back there in to much of a hurry 😠🤔
Andrew, bouef jupe, navet en cubes avec oignon en croute not on the menue? shame! You might be pleasently surprised by the Pedn Olva, with superb views and nicely priced food eg Newlyn-landed Hake in Gem Ale batter with mushy peas, tartare sauce and lemon £19.75...
Noisy irritating echoey environment and rip off prices , Andrew sums it up perfectly right at the end of your video.
Yup, did it years ago and fled to the little terrace, as the accoustics were nasty.
Indeed! Sarah :)
The people mumbling were saying, " omg look at the bloody prices"
Everything you said Andrew I also said. Who are they catering for? Certainly not locals. I agree that the ambience is that of a cafe. I don't think anyone would consider spending £80 in a cafe 😊
Thank you for remortgaging your house to be able to share your dining experience with us. As a local (Helston) I find it very sad that prices are so expensive. Beautiful views though.
Eating out in England in general can be quite expensive. St.Ives is usually that little bit dearer.
We've recently stayed there and I would much rather grab some lunch at the porthmeor beach cafe or even the balcony on the harbour front. Both offer stunning views and are more reasonably priced.
The Tate, like you say, just looks like a cafe, a very overpriced one at that.
Thanks for sharing 👍
It will be interesting to see if the restaurant survives the leaner winter months! Sarah :)
That was a check out the me 'n' u and then turn and walk round the corner for a pasty! Crazy!
While I could justify the price for a special occasion lunch, for those prices I really would hope for table cloths and napkins and a more sedate vibe. Some soft furnishings would really help to reduce the echoy cafe/kitchen noises and make it more bareable for people with sound sensitivities. I definately won't be visiting (even for coffee and cake) so thank you so much for the helpful review.
Andrew , great to see your tribute to my other favourite,Gary. Well done👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I've been to eat at The Tate a few times when it was a cafe and really enjoyed the food and vibe. In the summer when my son visited and wanted to go to the Tate I took him to the cafe thinking we would have a nice salad or a sausage roll. I was surprised by how quiet it seemed to be especially as it was a Saturday in August. We were handed a menu and were shocked by the prices. We didn't want fine dining type dishes in what was essentially a cafe. We ended up having coffee and cake and even that was expensive and apart from the view, the experience fell down flat. I think they've made a big mistake changing it to a restaurant. Why change something that's working really well ?
Last week I went to Porthmeor Beach Cafe that's in front of The Tate. The food is fabulous and you get a great sea view. My portion of chips was huge!
A MUCH NEEDED BREATH OF FRESH AIR ~~~~~~ BUT BEST TO PACK SANDWICHES AND A FLASK.
And sit in the best part of St Ives bay, which isn’t St Ives!
@@Mounhas Ha Ha Ha Good Advice.
Enjoying your videos Sarah & Andrew! Keep up the great work. From newbie Steve.
Welcome aboard! A thanks for watching! Sarah :)
Another great, informative, video.
We always found Pedn Olva to be good value, although we haven't been since June 2019.
Thanks for the time that you've taken, and the expense, in providing this.👍
Yes the Pedn Olva is good
I think it was a great idea that you had previously visited at the same time last year when it was a 'cafe' and decided to do a comparison it now being a 'restaurant'. If the decor, service and general quality of the food was on par with last year, The Tate cannot justify increasing their prices in order to rebrand it as a restaurant! My idea of a restaurant reflecting high prices should include high quality food with a luxurious decor. The staff should be attentive and moreover, be dressed smartly. Not t-shirts as I could see in the video. As for the view, you could have got that at the Portmeor cafe! They can't be 'surfing', on the fact there is a fantastic view in order to bump up the prices. Put it down to an occasional nice treat, that's how I like to justify being charged over the odds!! ❤
Yes maybe you can do another comeback to a nother place you been before and then compere.
Beautifully put @trudiesimms
Beautifully put! Sarah :)
This was great. You should do more restaurant reviews!
Good Idea !! An honest review is what we could all do with please !!
I agree
Thank you! Will do! We are planning a few more scattered in with the other content! Sarah :)
If u have money enjoy things
Always used to go to the Porthminster beach cafe. Lovely place and food although not been for about 6 years.
The place looked and sounded like a works canteen, not a restaurant. The food should be good and cooked properly no matter what they charge. I cant see how they can justify those prices. My tip, try a Tesco £3 meal deal. I'm down in Cornwall in November, but i wont be dining there. Loved the film by the way.
Based on your video and both your comments, I would agree with Andrew's rating. It was way too expensive even if the food was good.
I'm sure that you are aware you can ask them not to include the service charge. You can then add your own tip. This is what I tend to do when a bill contains the included 12.5% service charge.
Good video, as always !
St Ives has changed so much over the years but has always been popular. It's another foodie heaven for some like No6 and Ricks Seafood restaurant in Padstow, not to mention Prawn on the lawn!
Always look forward to your Cornwall video blogs Andrew and Sarah. My wife and I have been visiting Co8every year for the past 50 years.
Many thanks
Steve
Sorry for the 'typo'
I went there a few years back when it was a cafe. Expensive then too.
I was at the Tate in July and loved the gallery, but decided to eat at the beach cafe on porthmeor instead. Wonderful food. Not much of a hot take but Silco, Talay Thai, Blas, 1 Fish Street and the belgian cafe are all top notch.
80 quid!!!! That's a weeks shopping in Aldi. The only reason time would pay that for lunch would be for a special occasion. Not for me.
And that's just for 2. As a family no way could u afford a meal in there just for a lunch. I know galleries and museums are always expensive for eating but this does seem out of place almost for where it is and for a lunch 😢
We were in two mins whether we could jusitfy and would probably have walked away but curiosity got the better of us - we only visit St Ives once a year and that's enough to reminds us why! Sarah :)
London prices follow London seasonal migrants! At those prices I would expect linen tablecloths and napkins, table lamps and upholstered chairs! And more courses or bigger portions. And a guaranteed window table!
We went to have a look last year and I felt even then that it was expensive and as you said it was more like a cafe and lacked atmosphere so we didn’t stay .
Yes, always been expensive and a had a menu on trend. No burger and chips here! Sarah :)
Aaah....our Gary!! Nice mention!!! Are you thinking of joining him in his pursuit of finding the perfect place to eat?? 😊😊He seems to have disappeared this week actually...probably having a break (maybe he's hiding in Cornwall??!!). Anyway, interesting to see your meal out compared to last year. All too expensive for us mere mortals here in Kent! Egg, chips & beans is about our limit! Loved Andrew's ''£81 pounds?'' ££81 pounds?'' ''£81 POUNDS?'' and then Sarah replying...''You didn't even pay for it..I did!!!'' made me giggle. x J x
We would love to have a channel that was giving that number of views - we would retire and do UA-cam full time!! He must be doing well! Ha! Ha! Sarah :)
We've just opened a cafe in lansallos called rosslyn, after me and my partner pick are jaws of the floor watching this,I thought it best to post and say we do pasties nad locally made cakes, half no quarter of the price😂😂😂😂
We’ll make sure we head to yours then when we’re next there!
Cafe at Lansallos? Really?
I think my hubby would have taken one look at the menu and scarpered 😂. The food did look nice but again... hubby would have complained there wasn't enough on the plate 😜. I think we'll be avoiding that one. It would seem they are catering for the rich London holiday makers... you can't blame them for trying I suppose 🤷. Always lovely to see your reviews guys 🙏💖
With prices like that they need noise reducing tiles on the ceiling and white table cloths! They’ll go broke over the winter when the tourists are not around.
Thank you! Yes, for the London tourist! I wonder if they will survive the leaner winter months! Sarah :)
If you want a great place to eat with a view, West (on Porthmeor beach) is a must. They are now closed for the winter. But do return when they reopen next April 👍🏻 On a sunny day, you get transported to the culinary delights of Greece and away from the hustle and bustle of the centre of St Ives. The share platters are generous.
Hi guys…..no I haven’t been and simply wouldn’t due to the price which you know you’re going to have to pay! Pasty and a cold drink sat on the wall gives just the same view haha!
Well said! And I think there are plenty of people thinking the same! Sarah :)
I agree with your review Sarah and Andrew, although the food looked delicious and the views amazing, I agree overpriced, more than my weekly shop, it felt more like a cafe than a restaurant, pleased Andrew put jam on first, it’s a matter of choice I expect, it’s not my choice but I would give it 3 out of 5. enjoyable video, thank you 🙏
Totally agree! Sarah :)
Hey Guys, not sure if you've been since its had a makeover but the Minack Theatres cafe is well worth a look. love your videos.
Had a crab baguette at Marazion in May and it cost £14.75, it was tasty and fresh and well filled tho, and it had a piece of lemon.
Try the Godolphin in Marazion. I would be interested to see your review of that.
Make sure they've paid their staff
I paid £25 for 3 soft drinks and 2 bags of crisps there last month
Cor stuff that, get yourself down the Falcon in bude on a Sunday for the Roast, £15 each delish and if you get the beef you get a gigantic Yorkshire pud too
I would expect Linen (not paper) napkins at that price level.
These prices are something we endure in the South of the country (too close to London) even in our pubs, which all proclaim themselves to be Gastro Pubs (large plates. small portions) ......not that any of us ever asked for 'Gastro Pubs'. Pretentious nonsense for people with more money than sense.
Better meal in the Lifeboat (St Ives) Sarah, still with a sea view - albeit not in a elevated position.
Never mind, Andrew is worth it, although I suspect he would rather have 16 Pasties for that money!
I think the Tate will find those prices difficult to sustain, especially during the winter months when all the London second home owners have retreated to the metropolis.
Ooo! Yes the Lifeboat is good, always busy which it the sign of a good pub! Sarah :)
Very entertaining but a bit shocked at the price.
You two are going to get a reputation for reviewing eateries here in Cornwall and can just imagine manager’s faces drop when you walk in 😉😂🤣 but your reviews are always very fair and balanced. Thanks for swallowing the cost on this review
Best to check the menu and prices before you sit down.
There was a place called the Grape Vine near the Banks there 30 years ago Superb. Sadly it was gone 12 years later and turned into a cafe.
NB We find the Pendolva good for a hot drink stop as its the same price as buying one on the beach in St Ives and you get to use the facilities. Spoons has now shut so thats sad so we drove to the Penzance one but they have started charging for parking after 4pm!. Everywhere is expensive. We had pastys in St Ives but we walked to sit down and they werent very hot. That cake shop that does cruffins or something do nice cakes but like £3 each! Glad you had a nice lunch!
You should try fish bar in Newquay it’s reasonable the staff are very polite and well worth a try keep on doing the walks as well as these
Our content is lead by the audience. These videos attract more views, subs, comments and engagement. The walk videos are not as popular so we are publishing them on Patreon, www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-video-of-112951707?Link&. why not give it a try! Sarah :)
We’ve just come back from st Ives today if you want a great lunch go to the harbour view bar in st Ives best fish tacos ever and very reasonably priced, definitely recommend it.
I do wonder if the staff receive the 12 + 1/2% service charge or if it goes into the coffers of the Tate.
I was thinking of going this week, but not now !!
We had a cream tea with a coffee and a coke at Porthminster beach cafe in September, it as the very best views and the scones were delicious and only £9.48 .
'Give it a go'
I think our family would sum that up with "Bleddy pretentious crap, innuh?!"
Loved the Gary Eats mention and so glad you both enjoyed your meal. Nothing worse than paying top dollar and not getting your money’s worth.
Great video as usual.
So true! Sarah :)
Interesting they upgraded the food (and the price) but not the experience. I would think nice table coverings at least. So noisy as well. Lol, Andrew made us laugh. I don't think you can go for the view when so many seats don't have the great view. Personally, I would rather have a scone at the Jam Pot, of course Gwithian is my happy place. Thanks so much for taking us along on this adventure.
Service charge was OTTfor outer london.
My favourite restaurant in St Ives is The Hub. Lovely dirty burger and chips! 👍
I think you are missing the point that this is not a stand alone eatery, this is part of Tate St Ives. The gist of It's mission statement is about making art widely accessible to all. Art has long had an unfortunate association with wealthy patronage. What sort of message does it send out when there is no reasonably- priced meal option? Can't afford £30 for the langoustine? Well perhaps this isn't the place for the likes of you. Note also that in season, you are only guaranteed to be able to sit for tea and cake between 10.30 and 11.30 or between 3.30 and 4.30. 11.30 to 3.30 is prioritised for diners and you can only have a cuppa if they happen to be slack. They suggested that we could go across the road to Porthmeor Beach Cafe if we wanted a drink!We used to enjoy visiting the galleries, breaking the visit up with tea and cake, or maybe one of their (now defunct) wonderful salads for lunch, followed by a mooch around the shop. It is now not so relaxed an experience...... round the exhibits and out because there is nowhere to be able to stop for refreshments. This is particularly unfair on disabled visitors. We are Tate members, but will not be renewing our membership. They've sadly forgotten why they were there in the first place.
Agree with Andrew poncy food. Try a walk from Treyarnon bay to Porthcothan and visit Berryfields for cream tea. Home cooked food scones freshly baked daily with loads of jam and cream with fresh strawberries and of course tea .
LOL the scone issue was due to the Jam on first, Its why us Devoners put the Cream on first
Awesome watch like and shared out in you tube community. ⌚
Aww, lovely, Thank you! Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails more than welcome 😊
We would to go to Cornwall at least twice a year. The best place to eat is The Portminster Cafe in St Ives. The food was consistently excellent and the same with the service over the last 9 years. Not the cheapest , but food and service were faultless which to me is worth paying the little bit extra. Correct, Andrew, Jam first!
I'd say it's hardly a 'restaurant' with that awful ambience. The meals you had last year, when it was a cafe, were far superior ~ content, portion & price-wise. I think they're taking the public for a ride with those prices. Those charges should come with generosity, ie unlimited jam, a cafetiere & small jug of cream for refills and something like chocolate mints to round the meal off. Excellent review! :)
Your comment is a good summary, very expensive for a cafe! Sarah :)
my husbands comment was 'Id rather buy some takeaway fish & chips & sit by the little church on the headland, still the same view' - wowzers that was dear - James Martin used to say on Saturday Kitchen, change the word 'sauce' on the menu to 'jus', and you could add an extra £5 ;-)
Thanks for the honest review and for checking it out, especially the comparison between this and your last visit…it still looks just like a cafe, and seems overpriced for what it is.
I don’t like it when restaurants automatically add a service charge; I’m happy to tip when I receive good service, but I would like to make the decision as to whether to tip or not; it’s seems very presumptuous of them to assume the service will be good enough for a tip of that size.
We have a few pricey restaurants here in East Devon, such as The Pig at Combe and The Ivy in Exeter, both with much more choice on the menu, delicious food and amazing surroundings (a trip to The Ivy in Exeter is worth it for the fancy ladies’ toilets alone!), even though the prices are similar and the service charge is added! I feel you get a much better experience at these restaurants than you would at The Tate, plus there are other lovely restaurants in St Ives which are much cheaper.
Did you get charged extra for a window seat ??
I’m not keen on the Tate Gallery anyway, I went once and almost all the pictures on show looked like a Dulux paint card, just blocks of colour. So its no suprise how its gone. As others have commented, if I’m paying those prices I would liked to be served by someone who dosen’t look like they have just come from a job on a farm. The Hake looked good but these are Stein’s prices without the ambience. Thanks for the review, since Hobbler’s shut down I’m always at a loss where to eat in St Ives.
I think there are some suggestions in the comments section here that you might like to try! Sarah :)
Sarah, your comment about trepidation is a perfect description when it comes to dining in Cornwall. I get that feeling every time I go out, even to places I have been to before because each time varies from good, average and bad. Even if you enjoy it, you are still getting fleeced. Yes, you are paying for the views and it was nice you got a window table. Did other diners not want to sit there? They still paid the same as you and didn't have the views to enjoy. As with a lot of these places, it looked very pretentious. It was a noisy cafe with restaurant prices. I personally would have walked away when I saw the menu. There wasn't anything on there that made me want to get in there and nosh. I eat hake and chips at home every week. At least it was a decent portion. Most fish dishes are tiny. Apparently, it is cheaper for restaurants to buy the smaller pieces of fish, which is why they serve up small portions as they can maximise their profits. My fishmonger told me that. Interesting to know. It's a shame you can't go out and eat simple, but nicely cooked food. This posh stuff is boring. I would have refused to pay the service charge just out of spite. It's not mandatory, as you know. I'm finding that every time I eat out (which is not often now) there are less and less people. Another rip off establishment. Good you mentioned Gary Eats. His videos are brilliant, as are yours. Thanks for the great review. Tracey x
I notice you say about others coveting our table. There was one couple that begrudged us having a dessert. They turned down other tables to wait for us to finish while drilling holes in us as we ate! Very intimidating, Sarah :)
@@CornishWalkingTrails grrrr
We had a coffee & cake there in September, it was mid morning but no Danish pastry type ‘cakes’ available so had a Victoria sponge & the gazillionnaires shortbread too…that was £20.53
It was a nice day (we were lucky enough to get the nice week in September!) so sat outside but I get what you mean about feeling like a cafe not a restaurant
We had lunch later in the day down by the harbour, paying £80 (including tip), sitting outside in the sun with the ambiance of people bustling by…but we had exactly what we were looking for which was a tapas style lunch of bread, mussels, olives & mackerel fillet plus one dessert (affogato) & a double espresso and a bottle of wine (strategically placed on the table as a seagull deterrent 😉)
Well we watched this in fits of laughter and a sense of Dejavue. We were there on Tuesday and came away with a very similar conversation to yourselves. We went in for lunch, but were shocked by the prices and opted for scones and tea / coffee. The menu then was not as extensive either. The background tune was the waiter continually telling waiting customers, that he would be ‘ there in a minute’. It made it feel like you were sitting on a conveyor belt. They certainly increased the jam and cream quantities, but the scone was just ok, nothing special, and no fruit scones either. In our opinion, it was just a cafe, with pretensions, serving overpriced product. Next time we are in St Ives we will try somewhere else to eat. We certainly had much better coffee at a lower price sitting on the harbour side.
Keep these up, it always gives us ideas.
Sound very familiar! Andrew was ok because he doesn't like fruit scones! Sarah :)
That was wonderful review, but the price was extortionate. Having said that we are invariably shocked at the prices to eat out when we come from France, where we live, to walk the Coast Path. (15 euros for a delicious 3-course meal in our local French/Italian restaurant, drinks extra). Thanks for another great vlog.
Hi, to call yourself a restaurant appropriately, they should have a tablecloth, as you mentioned the exterior looking from your table windows dirty, windows even looked dirty, the word that describes this is tired, I'm an expat from Cornwall, exorbitant prices, 7GBP for chips, for a lunchtime meal again
prices way over the top, one saving grace from your reactions the food was good.
and wetherspoons is closing down this sunday...god help us on low budgets!
Agree, I can't understand that, the Hain Line is always busy when we've previously visited...
@@trudysimms1564 It’s probally dead in winter, I live in the South West and my Wetherspoon's is heaving in summer but apart from Christmas is dead in winter.
They just don't cater for the local trade in winter months and not many locals can afford to visit St Ives in winter! Sarah :)
Sorry but I hate Wetherspoons. One of the biggest reasons for the closure of genuine local independent pubs, and its owner supported Brexit . . . and look where that’s got us. While I accept it’s a cheap boozer, I’d rather support a local indie and have one decent pint rather than two or three at Neverspoons.
The food looks similar to last year yet double the price 😢
flipping heck... no no no...best place for lunch has to be Geevor mine cafe, large portions not to expensive and the staff were great, plus you got a view.
Go up to Ayr holiday park at the top of st Ives and you’ll get a great meal. Highly recommend.
Well done - and you were. Truly well done! 😂
Does'nt lool like a restaurant more like a cafe. They need to upgrade their tables & chairs and i'd expect table clothes and a layed up table for those prices.
What restaurant does cream teas and cakes.
Deff a cafe.
Yes! My thought too. It's now a "restaurant", but with those cafe-type chairs and no nice tablecloths? What a joke! It's like they're thinking, we can get away with whatever we want to do. On the other hand, if someone really wants to eat there -- that "use the Kids' Menu" tip was brilliant!
Hi Sarah and Andrew. I think it is way to expensive for a lunch and it reminds me of a cafe atmosphere not what you expect from a restaurant. They should go back to being a cafe with the cheaper menu as the food from the previous video looked far more tastier and portion size looked bigger.
Thanks for sharing!, Sarah :)
This smacks more than a little bit of naked greed by the Tate, combined with confusion about their primary objective. What their main clientele want, presumably, is somewhere to get a variety of appropriate refreshments throughout the day while visiting the gallery on holiday, or a family day out. Which isn't really compatible with fine dining, at fine dining prices. They can't charge such a ludicrous premium for the view alone, as almost everywhere you go in St Ives has views to die for, or failing that, character, in spades. You might expect a fine art gallery to be a little pricier (and better quality) than a basic caff, but this is just taking the St Mick's Mount. And as for that giant service charge....whoah!! Thanks for taking one for the team...!
I'm getting more and more annoyed with restaurants adding service charges to the bill. Tips etc should be left to the customer. We have had brilliant service and gave a very large tip to the waitress, and we have had bloody awful service and had to argue to remove the service charge.
Never pay demanded service charge.
You should Have Gone To The Count House Cafe ,At Geevor Mine.
Better Food,Better Price ,Great Sea View.
Got to say, that as a St Ives man, I miss the gas works!
Andrew ans Sarah this proves my point.Not everyone can run a restaurant However Everyone CAN rip you off and WILL.😢😢😢P
lEASE Be Careful❤❤
How much does it cost to make a scone?
Both desserts looked the best part of the meal.
You really should have gone to Porthmeor Cafe instead. Or The Cornish Deli, much more reasonable prices and amazing food.
£20 for veggie meals is a rip off. Why are they always priced the same as meat/fish dishes. Always makes me feel ripped off😢
Your food looked delish, l would have enjoyed it im sure, love golden beetroot, scone shouldnt crumble, probably had egg in it. A no no for a good Scottish scone😉 £80 !! and NOISY !!!...Your meal last year much better value. It is now a restaurant not a cafe. Loved the video love Cornwall.....Alioban ❤
always deduct the service charge.
Good advice! Sarah :)
how much ,, blimey, tesco meal deal is alot cheaper guys
Definitely still a cafe, but it’s the nice view and Tate name that has bumped the prices. Certainly didn’t look like £24 worth of Hake.
The chips were the so meagre! Sarah :)
😬
Unfortunately this up selling seems to be happening more often. Happened to the Fish and Chip shop in Rock, stopped selling cod and has had bad reviews.
I guess you're paying the St Ives tax, where most things cost a bit more. £80 for what is still basically a cafe, does seem a bit steep, but I guess if it's treat every now and then, why not. Still can't beat a Philps pasty sat on the beach.
Making my mouth water! Sarah :)
£80?? Ouch!!!
I'm a member of the Tate I go to a Tate in London and don't pay that much!
I really like St. Ives and also the Tate Gallery but I have never visited the restaurant there. The food looks really delicious, and the views are great if you get a table by the window 🙂 But I think it looked more than a café than a resutaurant. They can simply not increase the prices just by renaming the place 🙄 A bit stiff prices, definitely, but not really much more than I could have expected in a Norwegian restaurant for a hot meal, scones/cakes and a drink, at least when I convert the prices to Norwegian NOK. That is why I don't often eat out 😄Our currency has sadly become very much less worth the last couple of years, at least compared to EUR and GBP. What I definitely didn't like is that they just added a tip without asking. It should at least be written on the menu as a warning that all prices are without tip / tax or whatever they call it, and that it will be added on the bill. I would expect mandatory tipping like this without warning in the USA, but not in the UK. I guess you didnt leave an extra tip on the table 😄 Thank you for the lovely video. Torunn 🥰
I’d rather get a large, hot Cornish pasty from a local bakery. Not overpriced carp from a pretentious restaurant. As they say … never buy food from an art gallery nor paintings from a restaurant!
❤
The food does look good! Is there parking for my Lamborghini outside? 😉
We reckoned that afternoon cups of coffee were enough from the overpriced Restaurant. This is only available for the last 15 minutes of service between 1530 and 1545, otherwise it’s an overpriced restaurant. where soup and bread is £9 - £12. Porthmeor beach cafe is right in front of the Tate with great views and reasonable prices for its tapas. We opted for Cintra, overlooking the harbour, which has its “small plates” choices for around £10 each. We had hake and crab dishes plus truffle and Parmesan chips, with change from £30.
I'd score it a lowly 1.
The restaurant is more like a work's canteen - laminate topped tables tells me that.
£24 for a small portion of Hake is extortionate & chips/fries (frozen, mass produced) a £7.00 is just plain greed to be honest.
Service charge is a no no for me, if waiting staff have gone over & above and it was silver service at the table, I would leave a tip. For a plated meal, there is no work involved other than taking it to the table, waiting staff are employed to do just that.
Thanks for the reminder as to why I NEVER go to St. Ives!
raising the price keeps demand low. ...probably more manageable for a small place
That is a ridiculous price to pay for lunch. As for the service charge/tip, that should be up to the diner and not the restaurant and then only if the service and food are upto or exceeding your expectations. A fixed service charge should only be applicable if it's a group of six or more, this is quite normal in Calgary Alberta Canada. The last time we went out for a steak dinner, including drinks and a sweet, at a nice restaurant it cost us around $150 for two of us, about what you paid for lunch!
I have just come back from a fortnight in St Ives and was very disappointed to find the cafe at the Tate is now a restaurant. I did have a cup of tea there but when I went back to get some lunch I found out that they only serve meals and not light lunches. I think they have made a mistake in changing and not catering for people with simple tastes. They are now catering for an elite sector of the market and I think will alienate a lot of visitors. Such a shame. I wish I'd known you could order off the kids menu, that would have been great!
How much? blimey as Andrew said "they see you coming" blood rip off lol
Never been so I cannot comment but if I can be so bold ( and apologies before hand) Sarah's red lipstick is very fetching. I don't recall this having had an outing before. p.s. can you please revert to the walks . Thanks
Our content is lead by the audience. These videos attract more views, subs, comments and engagement. The walk videos are not as popular so we are publishing them on Patreon, www.patreon.com/posts/bonus-video-of-112951707?Link&. why not give it a try! Sarah :)
I've paid that. For FOUR of us, including drinks 🥴🥴
Some faceless nobody from London is looking at the balance sheet and thinking we're hiking the prices and to hell with the complaints from the Tate st Ives, Eighty quid for lunch, I wouldn't be rushing back there in to much of a hurry 😠🤔
Next time were down well pop in xx
Andrew, bouef jupe, navet en cubes avec oignon en croute not on the menue? shame! You might be pleasently surprised
by the Pedn Olva, with superb views and nicely priced food eg Newlyn-landed Hake in Gem Ale batter with mushy peas, tartare sauce and lemon £19.75...
Making my mouth water! Sarah :)