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!