Stradey Park Hotel
If the bright lights of Cardiff are all getting too much then head west for a festive break. An hour's drive down the M4 and towards the coast of rural Carmarthenshire you’ll find the Stradey Park Hotel - situated at the top of the former industrial town of Llanelli, overlooking Carmarthen Bay. The striking former residence of the local ironmaster’s son has been transformed into a sophisticated and unique hotel. The decor is a comfortable mix of contemporary and traditional styles creating an elegant yet cosy interior and the excellent local staff make this a slice of luxury with that home-from-home warmth that only a Welsh accent can bring. The Edwardian Mansion has also undergone extensive refurbishment, including – of particular interest to us - a brand new bar and the stylish Brazz restaurant.

With an impressive emphasis on locally sourced produce and an ever-changing menu including local specialities, like Penclawdd cockles and Red Devil cheese, we weren't disappointed. As we savoured a fine South African Pinotage, a selection of bread and oils was brought to tide us over in a continental fashion and build anticipation of what was to come. For my meat-eating friend, tender rose-pink slices of beef carpaccio to start, and a seafood salad brimming with oceanic delicacies, drizzled with a hot prawn dressing. And for us vegetarians every effort has been made to provide as interesting a dining experience as for our carnivorous chums, with not a veggie lasagne in sight! First up was Welsh rarebit with a twist, a melted cheese delight on crisp ciabatta, followed by a vegetable cheesecake in a buttery, crumbly, golden brown pastry. The dessert menu reads like a Times bestseller of fruity, chocolatey and sugary concoctions to keep the most sweet-toothed (i.e. me) happy and fresh coffees rounded off the feast. Full and happy we retired to the fabulous art-deco rooftop lounge to stargaze and polish off the rest of the wine before heading to the cosy comfort of the bedroom that definitely left us wishing we’d booked that extra night.

Stradey Park Hotel
Furnace
Llanelli
Carmarthenshire
SA15 4HA
01554 758171

Giovanni’s at The Mill
If you don’t know Giovanni Malacrino, most Cardiff-based carousers will have at some point in the last 20-odd years enjoyed his hospitality. I’m not just talking about establishments such as Gio’s in the Hayes; Conti’s Nightclub, or even Giovanni’s at The Mill where myself and a friend dined tonight – anyone who has enjoyed a night out on Mill Lane in the past decade or so owes a great deal to the vision and determination of Mr Malacrino, as it was he that willed the development of this former run down part of Cardiff into being. Situated at the heart of his beloved Café Quarter, Giovanni’s… is where we met and ate with the man himself as the passion he showed for the area seemed to permeate directly into the rich, robust flavours coming out of the kitchen. We started with conchiglie in a sweet tomato sauce with pine nuts, gloriously sticky duck, bread, olives, potato and chorizo, the table laden as it was all night with platter upon platter and buzzed by the blur of arms looking to spear the next scrumptious looking morsel. Over mains of mixed game – no pretty little slivers here, rather whole hunks of pheasant and hare – beautifully cooked rib-eye and bounteous bowls of vegetables, Giovanni spoke both of the glory days (everyone from Pavarotti to George Best has eaten here) but was as honest as the food about the tough times the Café Quarter has had to face in the last few years with the development of the St David’s 2 shopping centre. However, as the place begins to once again look like its not-so-old self, we find at Giovanni’s… a restaurant packed full of the vigour and experience necessary to see in the renaissance of Mill Lane, and a kitchen ready to feed it.

Giovanni’s at The Mill
11 Mill Lane,
Cardiff,
CF10 1FL
029 2066 5500

Fancy a bite?
Here are some plates you'll rate

<<<BACK Previous RedHanded Reviews

CLARY’S RESTAURANT

THE WHITE HART

GILBY'S@THE BAY

THE CROWN AT CELTIC MANOR

CAMEO CLUB & BISTRO

HAVELI