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.

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.

The Druid Inn, Llanferres

Nestled in the outstandingly beautiful countryside of the Clwydian Range, the Druid is a picture post-card inn of great character.
We visited one Thursday in January 2010, when the snow was thick on the ground and icicles clung to the black and white eaves.
Inside, a black and white cat lies snuggled on a settle and, in front of a roaring log fire, locals gather round the bar, pint in hand, puzzling over the crossword. The landlady greets you personally and the eclectic tables are filled with ramblers - and their dogs. It is indeed a happy pub.
There is a huge variety of 'specials', written on a blackboard by the bar, but we eschewed these in favour of a simple 'soup and sandwiches' menu for £6.50.
We chose mushroom and garlic soup; thankfully, the garlic was there to provide a base note and didn't dominate the soup, which had a deeply satisfying, mushroomy flavour. Chunks of mushrooms leant a subtle texture to the creaminess of the soup.
Alongside were our sandwiches; rare beef for me and ham for my friend - and plenty of it. A small pot of horseradish accompanied mine, with creamy mayo for the ham.
It was everything we could have wished for - great ambience, prompt and friendly service and a tasty, value for money mid-week lunch. The view from the window (if you're lucky enough to get a window seat) must rank as one of the best in Wales.
I can't wait for the summer, so we can eat on the terrace - we may not want soup and sandwiches in hot weather, so I will be interested to see what will be on offer.
I thoroughly recommend this pub - but don't go when we're there, as we want to window seat, please!!
Overall, 10/10 - can't be faulted for a mid week meal.