West Cornwall Pasty Shop steak pasties are marvellous. Big chunks of real meat in a delicious gravy. They're not just in Cornwall. If you ever see a shop go in and indulge yourself. Hideously expensive but Greggs / Sayers etc are just a pale imitation of the real thing.
The West Cornwall Pasty Company do indeed create a fine range of Pasties. Interestingly, they also offer seasoned potato wedges which, now they've been added to the menu, seem like a glaring omission from other establishments' platters. Today's review focuses on a personal favourite - The Chicken and Vegetable.
Getting the uncomfortable aspect of this snacking experience out of the way first; the price may be slightly eye watering at upwards of two pounds and sixty pence, but these pasties are a cut above those guzzled down by the unshaven, tubby, reflective jacket sporting lunch time clientele of your average Greggs. You get what you pay for.
The pastry element of this pasty is a work of genius in itself. A warming golden brown in colour, the outer layer is deliciously flaky and light. The truly magnificent aspect of the pastry is the seasoning; salt and pepper are encrusted within the outer layer, giving an appearance akin to sand paper but which tastes sensational. Underneath, a pliant and more robust sub pastry is more than capable of successfully enclosing the delights held within.
Given the price, you would be expecting that there should be no skimping on the filling, and you would be right. Large chunks of chicken are accompanied by potato, carrot, onion and swede, all bathed in a sublime bechamel flavoured with rosemary and thyme. Superb. The pastry proves to be an efficient insulator, so mind you don't scald those taste buds at the onset and ruin what should be a most satisfying snack encounter.
Overall, I would heartily recommend this pasty. The only downside is the price and perhaps that a drink is an essential accompaniment as the salty pastry can be thirst enducing. Forewarned is fore armed. I would give this pasty a solid A- rating.
