St. Ives has gained something of a reputation as a mecca for foodies in the last few years and any restaurant, vegetarian or otherwise, needs to be exceptional just to compete. Thankfully, the Bean Inn has built a reputation for being exactly that and it has maintained that reputation for more than ten years now. I have been back there on many occasions and each time seems to be better than the last. The staff are always wonderfully friendly and helpful, the atmosphere is welcoming and the décor always well turned out.
Now the food, which is exquisite. For starters you can’t go wrong with the pea and chilli soup served with cumin bread, a dish that fills you just enough to leave you wanting more from your main meal. And what choice with the main meals! Choose from the vegetarian meatballs and spaghetti or the wonderful stir fry and noodles, cooked to just the right side of crisp; better still try my favourite dish of all, the pea curry and potato cakes with tarka dahl – a curry and potato dish that will leave your mouth fizzing for hours afterwards.
If you’ve got room, and you should make sure you do, then you’re in for a treat with desert. Opt for the sinful mud pie and the strawberry and champagne granite, and an espresso for the perfect end to your meal.
A wonderful, well-priced restaurant that will have you returning again and again.
Henry is a financial blogger and writer and a vegetarian. He loves writing about vegetarian food and green issues although he spends most of his time writing about finance and business from balance transfers to taxes to payday loans .
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