Dining in a castle perched atop a hill with sweeping views of the Cornish countryside? Yes, please!
The historic Carn Brea Castle has a rich background rooted in Cornish history, and you feel like you've stepped back in time as soon as you arrive. The drive up is an adventure in itself--winding your way up a narrow road to the top of the hill (as you pray no one comes attempting to drive down the hill while you're going up). It's worth it though once you're greeted by breathtaking views and the 18th century castle.
A reservation is an absolute must--seating is limited, but well worth the effort. After making our way through the narrow, winding staircase of the castle, we were seated in one of the intimate rooms. The whole place oozes history and charm, making the ambiance unbeatable.
The restaurant specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine (suprise!) and for food, we started with their simple but delicious hummus appetizer. Then, I had to go with the Carn Brea Special, which is a tender rump steak fried in butter oil with peppers, mushrooms, and pine nuts, served over jasmine rice. I couldn't resist after seeing it at the table next to us--it looked that good, and it did not disappoint. Flavorful, tender, and cooked perfectly.
The entire experience--from the unique setting to the surprisingly great food--made this meal one of the most memorable of our trip. read more