Harry's Bistro, Beaumaris

It definitely was a 'blow-out' day, when we celebrated our wedding anniversary at Harry's Bistro, one Thursday in April.
I had seen a brief write-up of it in 'Olive' magazine, so, as we were in the area on the day in question, we thought we'd try it. It has a good reputation for sourcing local foods and an enviable location - so enviable, we had difficulty finding it, tucked away as it was behind Henllys Hall.
We had booked, expecting a fairly brisk trade resulting from their publicity. There were 3 other ladies having lunch!
The views from the restaurant are without equal, from the manicured golf course overlooking the Menai Straight to the Great Orme. I can well imagine that, on a balmy summer's evening, the place will be packed. The decor is modern, with some striking paintings around the walls.
The lunch menu gave us a good choice and my husband plumped for Welsh rarebit, while I opted for smoked salmon and potato cakes. The smoked salmon was delicious (and there was plenty of it), but I have to say that the potato cakes were rather rubbery. Not up to standard at all. Hub pronounced his 'enjoyable'.
Moving onto the desserts, he chose a brownie with icecream (which he ate with relish!)and I chose the cheeseboard with home made bread; it was rather a disappointment, with 5 small pieces of cheese and two very small soda farls (no butter, which didn't worry me!). I asked about the provenence of the cheese and was told verbally, though I would liked to have seen a written list of which was which. There was some chutney on the side, but, being very fussy with my chutney, I thought this bland and sweet - not a good partner to the cheeses.
With just a diet coke for me and tap water for hub, the bill came to just under £25.00. Not cheap and, I have to say, not really up to the billing it had been given in Olive.
However, the sun was shining, it was our anniversary and we had two ribeye steaks from Beef direct, waiting in the fridge for the barbe that evening, along with a bottle of the bubbly stuff.
We paid up and went back to the caravan via Asda, for some rather nice olives! The barbe was absolutely gorgeous!
Would I revisit? Possibly, though I would not opt again for the cheeseboard - or, in fact, the rubbery potato cakes.
For the views and ambiance, I'd give it 10/10 - though the waitress had to go and ask what the soup of the day was and what the cheeses were.
A 6/10 for the food. Bland and overpriced.
Hey, but if the sun shines and I'm in that neck of the woods with a good companion, I'd consider it!

Groes Inn, Conwy

Combining business with pleasure on the first warmish, sunny day of the year, is a real bonus.
I had taken my friend along for the ride to Anglesey, for me to meet a prospective new customer. It was too early in the day to eat on Angelsey, so we sauntered back on the A55 enjoying the view, then headed for the Groes Inn, just inland from Conwy.
The car park was already quite full, which is a great sign for tourism these days.
The Groes is as picturesque a pub as you'll find anywhere and has made it onto a list of the best fifty hotels in the UK. It certainly deserves its inclusion for the view alone!
Despite the full car park, there were still plenty of free tables. It was good to see a real cross section of people - children on their Easter break with parents in tow, senior citizens and two ordinary, middle aged women!
There is an extensive lunch menu, but we both chose safe ground with brown bread sandwiches - mine was salmon and Sue stuck to her much loved ham and mustard. Service was good and just enough time elapsed to know they were being lovingly prepared for us! Lashings of tasty fresh salmon, accompanied by a decent salad garnish and a bowl of tartare sauce put me in a very good mood. Sue pronounced hers 'good, with a strong mustard'. We splashed out on a side order of chips between us - proper hand cut ones, crisp on the outside and fluffy inside.
With two soft drinks, the bill came to £18.00 - not cheap, but we felt as if we'd had good 'value for money'.
It is one of those venues where the views from front and rear are stunning, yet the interior, because it's an old pub, can be a little dark.
Next time, we will go when it is not school holidays and when it's warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the views of the Conwy River.
A 9/10 for the food, as it was a little pricey for a sandwich.
7/10 for the interior, which is quite dark. Aim to sit in the conservatory.
10/10 for its location!
Take a trip to Bodnant gardens after your meal!

Glasfryn, Mold, Flintshire

A trip to the Glasfryn is always a treat - and this was no exception. It's a sister pub to the Pant-yr-Ochain in Wrexham and, whilst not quite as pretty, its location and views are spectacular on a clear day.
I was 'helping' a friend celebrate a very special birthday and she'd specially requested this popular gastropub on the outskirts of Mold.
After a spell of warmish weather, the spring bulbs were out in profusion, which made the short walk from the carpark a great pleasure.
Even though it was a Wednesday, there was a fair gathering of people, mainly workers from Shire hall across the road; due to its layout and size, Glas Fryn is large enough to accommodate everyone in fairly intimate surroundings. Tables and chairs are 'rustic' and mismatched, but blend well together.
As always, the menu is extensive and we were both quiet while we decided on our choice of food.
I opted for a smoked haddock and spring onion pie, while the birthday girl chose salmon gravlax, which came with chunks of freshly baked brown bread. Service was swift and both dishes were beautifully presented and very tasty. No fault could be found with either; if anything, I'd say my tart was a little too generous!
With two coffees, the bill came to a respectable £18.50; not cheap, but a price I gladly paid as a birthday treat!
Although the weather was not warm enough to sit out, I look forward to returning on a summer's day and enjoying my meal 'al fresco' on the extensive, south-facing terrace. The view over the ancient town of Mold and across to Moel Fammau is stunning, but avoid looking at Shire Hall (Sheer hell as some would call it!) which is a 'monstrous carbuncle'. It's a real blot on the landscape!
I suppose what makes Glasfryn a winner all round is its varied menu and the consistent quality of its food.
I awarded it a very respectable 9/10, only deducting the point so I could sample Glasfryn fayre again on a warm, sunny day!

Pant-yr-Ochain, Wrexham

It seemed like a 'push the boat out' day!
The sun, for once, was shining, my pickle orders were fulfilled and it was my friend's turn to drive!
I navigated us successfully to the stunningly pretty Pant-yr-ochain, near the Flash at Gresford, just outside Wrexham.

Neither of us had been before, although we have visited their sister pub, Glasfryn, in Mold.
Even though it was a Thursday, there was a sprinkling of 'up-market' cars in the car park (and I was glad we'd gone in my friend's racy sports car!). However, the interior of Pant-yr-Ochain is so spacious, we found a table without any problem. It's all bare floors, odd tables and chairs and very eclectic; the walls are covered with old photos and prints. The views from the terrace are beautiful, overlooking a small lake. Arrive early to bag a good seat.
The menu was extensive and we both settled on a ploughmans, but, while Sue chose one large chunk of cheddar, I opted for a blue and a smoked. It certainly met expectations; a slice of cold bacon and cheddar pie (about which I have no negative comment, but, then again, neither do I have a positive one!) crusty, yet soft, bloomer, with salad leaves, tomatoes and celery and expertly done pickled onions. OK, the chutney was shop bought, but that's just me being picky. We both refused any dressings and, strangely, both regretted it towards the end of the meal, when the chutney had been eaten and we were left with dry leaves.
We were perusing the coffee menu, when the table behind us was served with its mains.
We smelt, rather than saw it. A waft of pungent, fishy aroma, reminiscent of school dinners, washed over us. It was worse than stewed cabbage. Trapped in a fairly small room, the smell had nowhere to go - but we did! So we paid our bill and exited, stage left, sharpish.
I'd give the Pany-yr-Ochain an 8/10 for its food and general ambience, but beware the next door table's meal! A dismal 1/10 for that experience!
Go in the summer - and eat outdoors!

Cold toast and cuppa soup!

So, what fine dining establishment serves cold toast and cuppa soup?
Instead of our usual mid week fayre, my friend accompanied me to Conwy farmers' market, where I had a chutney, pickle and relish stall. As she's never been to such a farmers' market before, I told her to bring food and a warm drink. She brought the cold toast; I brought the cuppa soup!
But what other delights were available at Conwy, on the last Wednesday of February?
There were two high class butchers, selling meat direct from their own farms - and both as good a quality as you'd get anywhere. Plenty of fresh, local vegetables were on offer, along with a wonderful variety of smoked produce. I eyed up the smoked garlic, but it was sold in a trice - I'll know next time!
There was a mountain of the freshest bread, which sold very quickly - people know quality when they see/taste it.
Honey, jams, chutneys from the Country market stall and light, fluffy cakes drew shoppers like magnets. Plenty of people stopped by my stall, tasted and bought from me - as it was my first time at this market, I was delighted by their comments!
The stall next to me was loaded with olives, black and shiny or green and plump! I tasted them and settled for some gorgeous yellow olive oil. Mixed with some balsamic vinegar and some home made foccacia to dip, it will be a super accompaniment to a Friday evening pasta dish.
I would say that the market is held in what can only be the most delightful surroundings - the RSPB sanctuary, Conwy, which has easy links from the A55 and Conwy itself. From the sanctuary, you can look out over the Conwy river towards Snowdonia - and take a walk along the river to Conwy itself. From there, you can stroll out to where part of the Mulberry Harbour was constructed for the D Day landings.
Do you know what I'd recommend?
On a sunny spring day, come to the market (last Wednesday of each month) with your picnic hamper and fill it with crusty bread, smoked cheese and a tasty jar of Simply Relish Tomato, red onion and chilli chutney. Pick up a cup cake (or two!) and a bottle of fresh apple juice. Saunter off along the river, past the Castle, to the quay at Conwy and watch the world go by, munching on your local produce 'butty'.
Actually, fine dining at its simplest - and best!

The Country Mouse, Brimstage Craft centre

After a pleasant hour or so spent poking round the quaint little shops of Brimstage Craft centre, our tummies were rumbling, so we popped into the Country Mouse - and got the surprise of our lives.
Even though it was a grey Thursday in January, the place was full! And we had to wait!!
So, what did that tell us? We thought we were onto a winner.
We didn't have to wait long to be seated and, even though it was rather cramped, it felt cozy.
I chose a baked potato with beans and was asked to help myself from the salad bar, which, by the time we were seated, was a little sparse.
My friend chose lasagne, which came with some crunchy green beans, which she left.
It filled a gap; it wasn't expensive; it was edible - but there are better places to spend your money.
I suppose I could say it wasn't memorable and, after writing this blog, I could happily forget all about it.
Except that my friend has found a good clothes shop there.
I'm sure we'll be back.
Meanwhile, 5/10 for food and ambience

Caffi Florence, Loggerheads

We couldn't resist visiting the award-winning Caffi Florence, in Loggerheads Country Park, just outside Mold.
There's a large car park - and you have to pay, but it is a walker's paradise. Even on a cold February Thursday, it was busy.
Ok, the exterior of Caffi Florence is a bit bland, but, once inside, it is all cool and contemporary. There is an extensive menu and they pride themselves on sourcing their produce locally - and they tell you, on a blackboard, where their produce comes from.
The knowlegeable staff are smartly attired with True Taste award aprons, bearing the coveted logo.
Their own chutneys and jams are for sale on the premises at very reasonable prices.
But back to the food...
We both chose the soup and half round of sandwich option - which, from memory, was £6 or thereabouts.
The soup of the day was a big bowl of home made cabbage and bacon soup. It was a bit of a leap of faith to choose this, but, let me tell you, it was absolutely top notch. Thick without being cloying and rich without being sickly, it was heaven in a bowl. I don't think you could get more seasonal - or more local. A twist of black pepper made it a 10/10 for both of us.
Our sandwiches were plump with ham (my friend's) and beef (mine). Although they were just half rounds, they were large enough to accompany the soup without being too filling. Plenty of mayo and horseradish completed the meal, along with a generous pot of tea for two!
I would imagine that Caffi Florence would be absolutely buzzing in the spring and summer. It's a real winner after a stroll along the Leet or an afternoon tobogganing nearby.
We will definitely return, for their other produce and cakes looked oh so tempting, too....
An 8/10, as the seats were a bit hard and it was a tad clinical.