From Swansea to Abergavenny, Zoe Brookes highlights the best restaurants on offer in South Wales.
The Hardwick
Located in Abergavenny – the self-styled food capital of Wales – is The Hardwick: a leathery, richly textured and plump of cushion restaurant with rooms that could bed down a bon viveur for a week. Their menu boasts Severn and Wye-Valley smoked salmon, braised lamb shoulder and sea bass from the Gower. More still, budding-sommeliers will be astounded by the fantastic wine card to match, touting everything from light and un-oaked French whites to full-bodied reds.
The Hardwick, Old Raglan Road, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, 01873 854 220
Slice
This little ‘slice’ of heaven, between the quieter streets of suburban Sketty, in a tight-knit space, makes it easy to see how the restaurant got its name. Slice serves acclaimed set menus of sumptuous homely-yet-streamlined-British fare, all cooked up by chefs of local Swansea extraction. This “flourishing Swansea star” serves up roasted cauliflower soup with intense, rounded flavours, and pan-fried halibut with broccoli purée, purple sprouting broccoli and lentils.
Slice, Eversley Road, Sketty, Swansea, West Glamorgan,, 01792 290 929
The Whitebrook
Nestled in five acres of grounds amid magnificent Wye Valley scenery, this is the perfect spot to unwind and indulge in inventive and seasonal cooking. The Whitebrook provides thoughtfully created and beautifully presented dishes such as Squab pigeon with cauliflower, forced rhubarb, kale and wild chervil. To experience the full breadth of the chef’s culinary inspiration, opt for the seven course tasting menu that is topped off with local strawberries, lambs sorrel, oats and caramelised almonds.
The Whitebrook, Whitebrook, Monmouthshire, 01600 860 254
Moksh
It’s Indian food, but not as you know it. Here you will encounter a Willy Wonka-esque affair complete with candyfloss and chocolate orange chicken tikka – but this isn’t Terry’s; it is Stephen Gomes’ brainchild. Moksh is the first Indian restaurant in the UK to use of principles of molecular gastronomy. So you can expect magic, mist and mirrors along with you biriyanis and kormas.
Moksh, Cardiff Bay, 02920 498 120
The Clink
The Clink Cymru, tucked in next to HMP Cardiff, is one of the four institutions located at jails across the UK. Yet there is no porridge, here! Inside, the only indication that this is a prison are the inmate chefs and waiting staff and the mirrored walls that echo a panopticon view. Otherwise, it tantalises your senses like any other high-end restaurant. This unique dining experience includes servings of venison and wild board ragout with game sausage and heritage tomato tart with kale pesto and blue cheese.
The Clink, HMP Cardiff, Knox Road, Cardiff, 02920 923 130