Are you looking for somewhere special to enjoy a spectacular meal in the most welcoming environment? Well let me tell you about a beautiful Gastropub in Truro, Cornwall. With wonderful, hardworking owners, Tom and Katie have really poured their skill, passion and time into their masterpiece - The Rising Sun. Despite being only a couple of minutes walk from the bustling inner city, as soon as you step foot into the centuries old pub you feel at home.
As you enter, your attention is immediately drawn to the beautifully set, well stocked bar. From craft gins and local beer on tap to an elite wine list (curated by Katie herself who is a trained sommelier) tempting you with the most delicious wines from around the world. Opposite the bar is a cosy cove where there are tables ready for friends and family to gather around the roaring fireplace with a drink in hand. The ambiance transitions from a community feel to a sophisticated yet laid-back environment as you walk through to the restaurant. The tables are well spaced out but thanks to charming original low ceilings and soft lighting you experience a sense of intimacy without intrusion. Looking through the dinner menu, we were impressed with the variety of dishes on offer. Chef Patron Tom has implemented locally sourced and in season ingredients where possible, all of course, are of the highest quality they can get. With Tom having gained experience working in various kitchens including training alongside Michelin Star chefs, he has gained valuable experience in designing and delivering a continuously changing seasonal A La Carte menu. Despite having all of these enticing dished to choose from and yet Dan and I unintentionally ended up choosing the same 3 courses!
To begin our indulgent meal, we were served warm, soft mini loaves of bread with a smooth truffle butter - elevating the flavour as truffle adds notes of oak, nut and sweetness. The first loaf we teared into was onion, chorizo and parmesan - a wonderfully sweet and salty delight. The second was a smooth, lightly nutty wholemeal loaf.
Our starter showcased locally sourced and generously sized scallops. Accompanying them were finely sliced pieces of green apple, crushed hazelnuts, rich slowly salt-baked celeriac and vibrant mini florets of broccoli. Tom really knows how to incorporate many mouth-watering flavours whilst only using a few fresh ingredients.
As huge lovers of duck, Dan and I were delighted when Tom himself recommended us his carefully constructed duck dish. Juicy medium-rare West Country duck rested on an array of delicious elements: parmentier potatoes with a golden crisp exterior and a fluffy interior, lightly breadcrumbed goats cheese bonbons, glazed orange carrots and a sweet yet sharp pomegranate jus with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. Also, a confit duck leg and creamy root vegetable puree blessed this already wonderful meal.
To end our indulgent meal in the most lavish way, we opted for a sumptuous, yet uncomplicated warm chocolate tartlet accompanied by a quenelle of velvety cherry ice cream and crunchy honeycomb. As we cut into our tartlet, we relished in watching the molten chocolate filling slowly ooze out.
We truly had a fabulous and memorable evening, all of the staff we had the pleasure of meeting at the Rising Sun really made our experience a great one, they were so attentive and friendly as well as knowledgeable about the dishes they were serving and were always ready to recommend a drink to perfectly pair with our food. We cannot wait to come back and we are keeping a close eye on their social media to see when their next event is! They run beautifully planned events such as Feast Nights - their most recent one was in October set in the pub's courtyard which boasted wood-fired lobster, steak, a unique wine flight and other top tier treats. A set of our handmade Pareusi Steak knives designed by Tom and Katie themselves were also showcased at this feast. Other events include gin and beer festivals, drink pairing evenings, wine tasting and more. Check out the Rising Sun here.
