Cornwall Living
A taste of memory
Listed in the Michelin Guide as one of the best restaurants in Cornwall, Petty Fours is playful in spirit and theatrical in execution.
Named after Chef Alfred Petty and his three brothers, Petty Fours sits in the shadow of Truro Cathedral, occupying a smart and welcoming space on Old Bridge Street. Linen-laid tables give the room a polished feel, while decorative nods to Alfred and his three brothers’ love of board games including chess-piece artwork and playful Lego references, add warmth
and personality.
The name itself carries both family history and a culinary nod: Petty comes from Alfred’s surname, while Fours refers to the brothers. It also hints at the sweet ending to the experience,
the petit fours.
Yet beneath the restaurant’s playful character lies a deeply personal story. The passing of Alfred’s younger brother, Charley, has helped shape the restaurant’s identity and its emotional connection to food.
That sense of meaning is reflected in the cooking. Drawing on experience in London’s Michelin-starred kitchens and some of Cornwall’s most respected establishments, Alfred and his team create dishes that are thoughtful, theatrical and generous. The food is playful in spirit, but never at the expense of flavour or precision; each course is carefully considered, with detail and care evident throughout.
The full tasting menu is the best way to experience the restaurant’s ambition. It allows the kitchen to build a complete narrative, moving through inventive plates that combine technical skill with nostalgia, joy and a touch
of whimsy.
For a shorter visit, there is also a well-priced lunch à la carte menu, while a pre-theatre menu offers an appealing option before an evening in the city.
Attentive service completes the experience. Petty Fours feels polished without becoming formal, personal without being overfamiliar and imaginative without losing sight of hospitality. It is a restaurant where family memories become part of the atmosphere and every course invites diners to make a few of their own.
