The Cruel Sea, Parkstone, Poole

A small single-room bar/diner with a fish theme, although it also serves tapas and some meat dishes. There is some outside seating in the form of simple benches and tables, while the inside décor is mainly exposed brick and polished wood. This makes it feel Spartan, uncluttered and fits in nicely with the ‘back to basics’ cooking style. There is a brick oven behind the bar at one end, and this is where much of the cooking is done, in full view of the clientele. This also allows the delicious smell of freshly cooked food to waft around the bar. There is free WiFi available, but no other electronic distractions, so conversation is the soundtrack here. The drinks list is quite cosmopolitan – 5 good European beers on tap, three real ales on draft and a good selection of bottled beers and ciders. I had a pint of St Austell’s HSD which was in good condition. There is also a fair but small wine selection. Both food and drinks are very reasonably priced, so nothing cruel about this place – not even a passing allusion to Montserrat’s eponymous novel. Well worth a return visit for food or drink.