HEDLEY’S RESTAURANT ***
3-4 Bron-Y-Mor, The Knap, Barry. 01446 733398
Given the heatwave of late combined with a family celebration, we decided on a stroll to the local restaurant Hedley’s. Nestled in the idyllic setting of The Knap gardens; opposite a lake and near the sea, the location is perfect. Hedley’s is known for its fish selection and BYO wine policy, which, as most restaurants drastically overprice their wine, is always a winner.
Ioan and Prisillia, the team behind the restaurant, are bright, breezy and accommodating. Ioan is the chef and Prisillia front of house. Between the group of us, sea bass, steaks, lamb shank and sea bream were ordered with various sauces and side orders. All came with seasonal vegetables and a huge basket of bread. My sea bream was cooked well but unremarkable and the general consensus from the table was mixed: the lamb shank very good, the steak cooked to perfection and the fish, largely cooked well but a little bland.
On each visit, and there have been a few, the food is generally OK to good, not spectacular but not dreadful. The main disappointment is the restaurant decor; it’s in some serious need of upgrading and the ladies’ toilets could do with a good clean. Inside the restaurant it’s drab and dated with varying degrees of beige and brown the main colour in abundance. It’s such a shame as an overhaul would give it a whole new lease of life. With so much choice now available, diners can pick and choose where to dine, and for such an idyllic spot, it needs to raise its game. ANTONIA LEVAY