66 High Street, Cowbridge. 01446 774800 ★★★★☆
After months of planning, digging, re-designing, renovating and accommodating medieval structures, the hard work has culminated in a superb new look at The Market Place, Cowbridge. The Terrace Restaurant, which is finally unveiled this month, is a project that even Kevin McCloud would be proud of.
Sitting in the light and airy Terrace Restaurant with a lovely view of the garden, we surveyed the menu and were swayed by the soup of the day (mushroom, coriander and truffle oil) and mousse of prawns, smoked mackerel and crème cheese wrapped in smoked salmon. This was followed by confit pork belly with feta cheese, dauphinoise potato and herb and liver sausage, plus a braised beef haché with mash potato, seasonal greens, poached egg, chive and cream sauce. Desserts included a bitter chocolate and golden coffee cheesecake, macerated fruits, banana cream and sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and whisky and coffee ice cream.
Everything was superb: the confit of pork belly was perfect and probably the best I’ve had; the appearance faultless, the service from Stefan was adroit and, as usual, amusing. There’s an excellent value early supper menu from 6-6.55pm from Tuesday to Friday. With a set menu price of £10.95 for two courses and a glass of wine for £2.75, diners can choose from a slightly smaller but no less tantalising selection of dishes from the dinner menu.
With the addition of a cocktail and wine bar/lounge upstairs, the inevitable ‘where shall be go for a drink/lunch/dinner’ need no longer cause concern as The Market Place has it all covered. ANTONIA LEVAY