Foodie Focus
Pop-ups, parties and paprika-pimped prawns abound in the events Elouise Hobbs has picked out this time around.
Summer Social, Mon Usk Tapas & Wine Bar, Newport, Tue 6 Aug
This summertime event combines traditional Mediterranean food and drinks with great company to help create an unforgettable evening. Hosted in Mon Usk, a tapas restaurant overlooking the riverfront, their menu, inspired by the sea and old Newport shipping trade routes, features lots of seafood and twists on Mediterranean dishes. These include the mussels sharer, whitebait and gambas alajillo – garlic prawns sauteed with kale, paprika and chilli – alongside other specialities such as Galician chickpeas, and albondigas, Spanish-style meatballs made from Welsh beef.
Tickets: £5 deposit per head, deducted from your bill on the night. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Tidy Takeover, Crafty Devil’s Cellar, Penarth, Wed 14 Aug
Over the past year, Crafty Devil has opened two new bars in Cardiff and Penarth, with the latter steadily growing in popularity. In August, they are hoping to solidify their reputation as a noteworthy independent with a special popup from The Tidy Kitchen Co. The seasonal menu looks to celebrate fresh ingredients, as well as showcasing variations on Welsh favourites. For starters, diners can expect to enjoy Welsh garden toasts – an innovative take on bruschetta, substituting tomatoes for beetroot, podded peas and pickled courgette. The main will feature crusted chicken leg and the ever-popular cauliflower steak. And, for dessert, an apple tart is spruced up with cardamon, toffee, and pear crisp.
Tickets: £35. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk
Nanteos Afternoon Tea Party, Plas Nanteos Mansion, Rhydyfelin, Aberystwyth, Sun 18 Aug
First introduced to English high society by Anna, the seventh Duchess Of Bedford, in 1840, afternoon tea is now employed to celebrate everything from birthdays to hen parties. Nanteos Mansion in Rhydyfelin seems the perfect setting for a classic afternoon tea, both in Edwardian times and today. Head chef Gerwyn Jones has masterminded a range of afternoon teas – from traditional to Welsh, Cardigan Bay Seafood to “Gentleman’s” and “bubbles”. If you fancy making a day if it, everyone can enjoy a day out in the Nanteos Estate, with free access to the Labyrinth walled garden, face painting and music.
Tickets: £15/free under-12s. Info: www.nanteos.com
Temptingly Thai, The Culinary Cottage, Pandy, Abergavenny, Sat 31 Aug
The Culinary Cottage has established itself as a provider of great courses – whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home-cook, and this summer one-day course is set to focus on how to create the aromatic flavours of Thailand at home. Beginning with an informal breakfast, participants will move onto prep work for dinner, as well as making a two-course lunch to enjoy on the day. In the morning, participants will have the opportunity to discuss the menus they will be making throughout the day and how to incorporate salty, hot, sour and sweet flavours into all their dishes. There’ll also be a portfolio of recipes, menu suggestions and tips and hints to take home.
Prices: from £85. Info: www.theculinarycottage.co.uk