Ocean to table éclat
- Jamie Crocker
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
Words by Jamie Crocker
One of Cornwall’s finest coastal hotels elevates seafood dining to new heights.
The Nare Hotel embodies the term ‘understated luxury.’ Situated on the Cornish coastline, this family-owned establishment has perfected the art of sophisticated hospitality via decades of careful cultivation. Positioned with commanding views over Gerrans Bay, this five-star independent retreat offers discerning visitors a glimpse into a world where traditional values of service excellence merge effortlessly with contemporary comforts.
As the sole five-star country house hotel in Cornwall, The Nare has carved an enviable reputation for itself since the Ashworth family acquired it in 1989. Under their stewardship, the property has evolved into a place of refinement that attracts guests seeking authenticity rather than fleeting trends. The hotel presents itself not as a fashionable hotspot but as a destination where the emphasis falls squarely on genuine care and attention to detail.
The approach to The Nare hints at what awaits – a winding coastal road reveals the elegant cream-coloured building sitting in splendid isolation above Carne Beach. The architecture, neither ostentatious nor retiring, complements rather than competes with its natural surroundings. Inside, the décor speaks of considered organic inspiration rather than excessive opulence pandering to the latest trend; comfortable sofas invite relaxation, fresh flowers appear in thoughtful arrangements and walls showcase carefully selected artwork that reflects the region’s rich cultural heritage.
Accommodation at The Nare gently introduces the notion of place while ensuring guilt-free comfort. Many rooms feature private balconies or terraces from which guests can absorb views that shift and change with Cornwall’s mercurial weather patterns. The beds, draped in fine linens, promise deep, restorative sleep accompanied by the distant lullaby of waves breaking on the shore.
The gardens descend in terraces toward the sea, offering secluded corners for contemplation or conversation. An outdoor swimming pool provides refreshment during summer months, while an indoor pool ensures year-round swimming regardless of Cornwall’s capricious climate. For those seeking deeper relaxation, the hotel’s spa facilities offer treatments using locally-sourced products that harness the region’s natural bounty.
The Nare’s commitment to genuine hospitality manifests in countless thoughtful touches – from the availability of classic wooden boats for exploring the Fal estuary to the provision of wellington boots for coastal walks, from afternoon tea served with precision to digestifs offered in the comfortable lounge as evening descends. The staff move with quiet efficiency, anticipating needs rather than responding to demands.
This dedication to excellence extends most notably to the hotel’s culinary offerings. The Nare has long understood that exceptional dining forms the cornerstone of memorable hospitality. The main dining room, with its formal yet welcoming atmosphere, offers traditional fare executed with finesse. Here, head chef, Andre Lima crafts dishes that celebrate Cornwall’s agricultural abundance while honouring classical techniques.
Yet it is The Quarterdeck Seafood Restaurant that has recently undergone a transformation so significant it merits special attention. Reimagined as a premier seafood destination, this restaurant has evolved from an already respected establishment into something approaching culinary theatre, where Cornwall’s maritime bounty takes centre stage against a backdrop of extraordinary natural beauty.
The Quarterdeck’s positioning along the gentle curve of Gerrans Bay provides diners with panoramic vistas of turquoise waters meeting the sands of Carne Beach. Thoughtfully designed interiors complement these views without distracting from them; the colour palette draws inspiration from the surrounding seascape, with subtle blues and greens creating a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere. In summer months, the outdoor deck becomes perhaps the most coveted dining location in Cornwall – a place where guests can savour both exquisite cuisine and uninterrupted views while basking in the sunshine. During winter, large panoramic windows ensure that stormy seas become dramatic entertainment, allowing diners to experience Cornwall’s raw beauty while remaining in perfect comfort.
The recent reimagining of The Quarterdeck has elevated its focus explicitly toward seafood excellence. This specialisation reflects both geographical logic and culinary passion – Cornwall’s waters yield some of Britain’s finest fish and shellfish, while the restaurant’s team demonstrates remarkable skill in showcasing these ingredients.
Every element of The Quarterdeck experience has been meticulously considered during its transformation. The crockery, specially selected to mirror the shimmering qualities of the sea, provides an appropriate repository for visually striking presentations. Even the linens have been colour-matched to complement the overall aesthetic, reflecting an attention to detail that extends far beyond mere functionality.
The menu reads like a celebration of Cornwall’s marine environment. St Mawes octopus appears, treated with respect and technical prowess. Hand-dived scallop ceviche offers delicate flavours enhanced, rather than overwhelmed, by thoughtful accompaniments. Cornish Bluefin tuna raviolo demonstrates technical ambition matched with flavour intelligence. Monkfish Wellington reinterprets a classic with remarkable success, while whole Dover sole receives the simple treatment such magnificent fish deserves.
Local lobster, grilled with precision, reminds diners why this crustacean maintains its luxurious reputation. For those seeking the ultimate expression of Cornwall’s maritime bounty, the fruits de mer platter arrives as a showstopper – an architectural arrangement of oysters, crab, prawns, mussels and other delicacies that encapsulates the restaurant’s philosophy on a single spectacular tier.
The dessert menu reveals equal creativity and execution, with the Earl Grey crème brûlée emerging as a signature – a classic French technique infused with distinctly British sensibility, resulting in a dish that satisfies both traditionalists and those seeking novelty.
Beneath the surface glamour of The Quarterdeck’s dining experience lies a foundation of genuine environmental consciousness. The restaurant incorporates hand-foraged ingredients including seaweed, wild garlic and elderflower, reflecting both culinary creativity and environmental responsibility. By partnering with Wings of St Mawes – a multi-award-winning fishmonger recognised as Britain’s finest – The Quarterdeck ensures that its seafood is not only exceptional in quality but also responsibly sourced.
Perhaps most impressively, The Quarterdeck has established a partnership with the National Lobster Hatchery, contributing to their “Buy One, Set One Free” initiative. For each lobster purchased, the restaurant donates £1 toward raising and releasing baby lobsters back into local waters. This commitment to sustainability ensures that future generations will enjoy the same delicacies that current diners savour, creating a cycle of consumption and conservation.
The service at The Quarterdeck matches its culinary ambitions – knowledgeable without pretension, attentive without intrusion. Staff members demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the food they serve, often sharing insights about ingredients’ provenance or preparation methods without resorting to rehearsed speeches.
What emerges from The Nare’s recent evolution of The Quarterdeck is something approaching restaurant alchemy – a dining destination that combines extraordinary location, exceptional ingredients, technical skill and genuine environmental consciousness. While Cornwall has witnessed numerous restaurants rise on waves of publicity only to disappear as fashions change, The Quarterdeck seems positioned for enduring significance through its commitment to substantive excellence rather than ephemeral trends.
For visitors to Cornwall seeking more than picturesque views and predictable menus, The Quarterdeck represents a compelling destination – a place where the region’s natural abundance receives the culinary treatment it deserves. Within the already exceptional context of The Nare Hotel, this restaurant’s transformation emerges as a defining statement of intent: to create dining experiences that remain in memory long after the final course has been savoured and the final view of Gerrans Bay has faded into the distance.
