Chantek is an award-winning restaurant, gaining the Restaurant of the year Bronze Award in the prestigious Cornwall Tourism Awards 2007 and 2009. Our dishes come from many asian and pacific rim countries: Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Vietnam and Laos.
Chantek‘s chefs are all from South East Asia. Collectively, our chefs’ experience spans many years working at some of the best hotels and resorts across South East Asia, including Bangkok, Shanghai and Beijing, during which their passion for innovation and the fusion of thai and southeast asian cuisine evolved.
Chantek means 'beautiful' in Bahasa Malaysia and 'pouring or serving' in Thai. The restaurant is the outcome of a unique heritage: co-owner, Ruth Phillips, grew up in Asia and her father, a cornishman and a seafaring man, worked in Asia all his life. Bringing the exotic part of her childhood back to Cornwall with her was perhaps a mission she had to accomplish!
The Restaurant
Chantek was totally refurbished in 2004 with stunning decor throughout. It offers seats up to a 120 people over two floors. There is an open plan kitchen on the ground floor providing drama, entertainment and delicious aromas to enhance the dining experience and the first floor dining room seats up to 60 - perfect for private functions and parties. Outside there is a courtyard with seating for up to 8 people and meals can be served here on those sultry summer evenings for which Cornwall is renowned!
Check our RESTAURANT GALLERY here
| Check our Philosophy and Enviroment Policyhere
Practical:
• All major credit/debit cards are accepted, except Diners Club.
• We recommend that you make a reservation in advance to avoid disappointment. For bookings of 10 or more see our group menu • We have an outdoor courtyard for alfresco dining in warmer months.
• Smoking is permitted in the outside courtyard.
• There is no service charge. All tips are shared with service and kitchen staff.
The Owners
Ruth Phillips is somewhat of a southeast asian food guru - growing up in penang, one of the culinary capitals of southeast Asia, she lived off the local food until the age of 15. You could safely say that the intricate nuances and flavours of the best southeast asian food are instinctive to her palate.
James Taylor has also traveled widely throughout southeast Asia. He is passionate about regional cuisines and outdoor markets, and has worked as an Indian chef in Prague, where exploring different strands of indian cuisine led him towards malaysian food and the fusion of chinese, thai and malay flavours, which form the basis of the fusion food of chantek.
Antonio Carvallo brings a definite ethos to Chantek. Having dedicated most of his life as a volunteer, he has travelled the world with his message of peace and non-violence. When Antonio is not managing Chantek, he spends the rest of his time working and travelling as a volunteer.
Chantek for Vegetarians
"Chantek is a vegetarian's heaven!" as one satisfied vegetarian customer put it:
"To my joy and amazement, they can cook nearly all of their main courses with tofu as an alternative to meat or fish, and boy...can they cook them well!...an authentic range of dishes from the pacific rim which is close to representing the holy grail of vegetarian eating."See full Review
Nearly all our dishes can be cooked for vegetarians and the results are superb!
Some of our sauces contain fish or seafood products but these can be omitted for vegetarians on request and we can also ensure that our dishes are suitable for vegans. Just discuss your requirements with the waiter when you order or if you are booking in advance and there is a large group, we are happy to take special requests in advance.
