Paul and Emma Ainsworth have relaunched The Mariners pub in Rock, Cornwall on Thursday 16 May.
The husband and wife duo took over the historic pub from fellow chef, Nathan Outlaw, after five successful years of trading. The 130-cover local, which looks over Cornwall’s Camel Estuary, reopens with a new menu and interiors to match. As ever, Sharp’s Brewery will continue to lead on the beer offering at The Mariners.
The Mariners is open daily, offering a breakfast, cream tea and all-day menu. Food is served across both floors, with the pub’s ground floor for walk-ins only and upstairs available to book. The menus, designed by Paul and joint Head Chefs, Joe Rozier and Tom Dawes focus on British classics while championing the best of local produce.
The all-day menu, available from noon until 9.30pm, offers a wide range of pub favourites which demonstrate Ainsworth’s notable and renowned creative flair. Large plates will include; Battered Cornish haddock with triple cooked chips; Cornish Thornback ray wing with potted shrimp butter; ‘The Dog’s Pollock’ hotdog with pickled cucumber, dill and parmesan and a Goan chicken curry with braised rice, kachumba and homemade naan breads. There is also a blackboard of daily specials, side dishes and a children’s menu available.
Those looking for something lighter can also avail of the delicious small plates, salads and sandwiches including; Cornish rarebit on toast; ½ pint of crispy king prawns with red chilli and seaweed mayonnaise; Duck liver parfait with Cornish Orchards jelly and grilled toast; Ainsworth’s ‘Croque Monsieur’; Buttermilk chicken with garam masala, chipotle mayonnaise and The Mariners’ Scotch egg.
There is a selection of homemade pies prepared daily such as; Aged beef dripping pudding with a Porthilly oyster and red wine gravy; Cornish ‘Toad in the Hole’ with clotted cream mash potato, Bramley apple and onion gravy as well as a Warm pork pie with piccalilli.
The menu’s ‘From the Ox’ section features items cooked over a charcoal barbecue such as; The Mariners’ burger with smoked bacon and Davidstow cheddar and a Cornish cured bacon chop served with soy glazed pineapple and a fried St Ewe’s egg to finish.
At The Mariners, Cornish ingredients are at the forefront, with a ‘500 yards that way’ section giving prominence to neighbouring harbour, Porthilly. On Sundays, a traditional beef roast will be available for lunch with alternative options such as chicken, lamb and pork varying weekly.
The dessert menu has been named ‘& Custard’, a nod to Paul’s nostalgic childhood memories of custard-based puddings. The menu features all-time favourites including; Profiteroles with vanilla custard and dark chocolate sauce; Spotted Dick made with aged beef suet and glazed in verjuice caramel; The Mariners’ trifle with hundreds & thousands and a ‘3 Apples’ pie.
Breakfast options include a range of healthy and more indulgent options such as; Porridge with bananas, raisins and peanut butter; Homemade English muffins with smoked salmon, hollandaise and chives plus their take on a ‘Full Cornish’ fry-up. The Mariners’ ‘Cream Tea’ is be a twist on a classic Cornish afternoon tea with a sweet and savoury option served with either homemade seasonal chutneys or local jams.
At the bar, guests can expect to find a selection of Sharp’s Brewery’s signature draughts including their Doom Bar Amber Ale, Atlantic Cask Pale Ale and Wolf Rock Red IPA. Bottled options will include Aspall Premier Cru Cider, Sea Fury, an alcohol-free Cobra Zero and, for those wanting something a little special, the Camel Valley Pilsner, a local champagne lager also by Sharp’s Brewery. Other speciality beers will include Blue Moon Belgian
White; Vedett IPA and La Trappe Trappist Blond. The short international wine list, overseen by the group’s sommelier, Elly Owen comprises 26 bins. A wide selection of soft drinks and spirits is also available.
The pub’s new interiors have been led by Emma Ainsworth, renowned designer Eve Cullen-Cornes and design company, Concord Interiors, with the aim of creating a warm and welcoming environment.
Chef Proprietor, Paul Ainsworth commented, “Emma and I are so excited to be reopening The Mariners this May. I’m lucky enough to have an amazing team at the helm, including two incredible head chefs, Joe Rozier previously at No.6 and Tom Dawes who has worked at Rojano’s in the Square for the past 7 years.
'The Mariners has been an institution since the 90’s and I’m so thrilled to be a part of its great history and to continue working with one of the world’s best breweries, Sharp’s. I plan on keeping this Cornish jewel a destination for the local community and holidaymakers alike and look forward to welcoming guests on the 16th May.”
