Bodidris Hall, Llandegla

My friend was very excited when I proposed lunch here, one cold Thursday in February 2010. It had been featured on a programme shown on BBC Wales, 'Hotel Stephanie' and one of its promotions was 'All lunches £5.00'.
What would we get for our fiver?
If it's dramatic locations you're after, they don't come much better than this. A mile-long drive leads up to the house, through fields and park land; arriving at the hall is almost (but not quite) a disappointment.
Bodidris has a long history (a quick google will find it far quicker than I can write it) and its character has been 'sympathetically' maintained. A suit of armour greets you at the door, but then service becomes much more personal as you step into the bar/lounge.
Deep filled, squashy sofas and comfy chairs surround low tables; oak panelling and a huge fire complete the ambiance of a 'gentlemen's club'. First impressions - very positive.
More good impressions - quite an extensive choice for our 'fiver'.
Chef's soup of the day was minestrone, which we both chose. To accompany this, my friend opted for ham on brown bread with mustard mayo and I chose brie, red onion and roasted pepper on brown.

The soup was tasty, chunky and hot. Not perhaps top notch, but, for value for money, could not be faulted.
My friend tucked into her sandwich with gusto and pronounced it 'delicious'.
Mine was not quite what it promised to be. Being curious, I opened my sandwich, which revealed the total lack of red onion and a small bowl of red onion confit followed swiftly. I also have to report that the peppers were raw, not roasted. I was informed that the sous-chef had 'roasted them, but not for long'. I do not wish to malign that bit of information - but they were, indeed, raw.
However, the sandwich was tasty enough (despite its shortcomings) and we were offered tea/coffee 'on the house' by way of recompense.
I would say that, perhaps, I was unlucky with my choice. The place was full - and soup and sandwiches seemed a popular option from the fiver menu.
It certainly would not stop me returning - or ordering the same sandwich, although if the same mistakes were repeated, I know I'd think seriously about the qualities of the chef.
So, if it's value for money you want in plush surroundings, this is the venue for you. Take a camera - the view from the front of the hall is stunning.
I'd love to give it a 10/10, but it let itself down, so a 7/10 from me.