2 Weeks of meals in Wales, Chester and Liverpool

Walls of Conwy Castle

Wild Strawberries growing between the
sidewalk pavement

This past June, Adam and I were based in Wales for 2 weeks visiting family. We ate out almost every night and it was not cheap, let me get that out of the way, but it was necessary because the village where we were staying had limited access to fresh meat and produce. 

In my stay, I found the Welsh palette to be very simple - predominantly using just basic flavors like salt, pepper, mint, vinegar and sugar in their meals. I wonder why the restaurants, pubs, and people in general do not take full advantage of all the wild herbs and flowers growing everywhere. In Wales there is literally wild strawberries growing between the cracks in the pavement and garlic, rosemary and camomile growing on the sides of houses. I think this is a great opportunity missed in a culinary, sustainable, and economical sense. 

So, where do the locals go when they want a break from beans on toast and egg and chips?



French Onion Soup



The Cliffs  

Tan Rallt Holiday Home Park

Rhyd Y Foel

Abergele

North Wales

LL22 8EE

tel: 01492 511633

Nice views and a pleasant menu. Older people friendly.

Fish with potatoes and peas



Habit Tea Rooms

Cheetham

12 Mostyn Street

Llandudno

Conwy 

LL30 2PS

 

Good spot for people watching or just talking a break from shopping. Generous portions and friendly waitstaff.

Bangers & Mash

The Groes Inn

Tyn y Groes
Conwy
North Wales

LL32 8TN

A bit expensive but at least here they serve Bangers & Mash with 3 Bangers and a side of vegetables. Also, this was my first opportunity to try out an Eton Mess (strawberries, whipped cream and meringue). This Eton mess was disgustingly good but I'm happy I tried it. 

Eton Mess





Moroccan Spiced Lamb

The Armoury

Victoria Quay

Victoria Avenue

Welsh Bridge

Shrewsbury

SY1 1HH

 

Ordered the Moroccan spiced lamb with apricot and date couscous salad, feta cheese and chick peas. It was disgusting. The Lamb few shaves of lamb served was dried out and salty, the sauce sticky and salad was really just feta and onions.



Paella

Oddfellows

20 Lower Bridge Street
Chester
CH1 1RS

Pretentious, expensive and not impressed. Ordered paella- though the fish was beautifully cooked, the rice was too salty, and clams and rice overcooked. All looks and no quality.



Mussels in a thick cream

 White Lion Inn (no information)

Friendly waitstaff but more importantly bizarre food. I ordered Mussels in a cream sauce and what I got looked like Mussels in whipped cream. The Mussels were nicely cooked and the cream was lightly salted. I don't know if I'd ever intentionally order this again but it was an experience. 

Brown Shrimp

Plas Hafod Hotel

Gwernymynydd

Mold
Flintshire

CH7 5JS

Nice gardens and more very British food. Ordered the Brown Shrimp salad with Rose Marie Sauce (Thousand Island Dressing, anyone?). Smaller and definitely browner than the Shrimp I am used to. Wonder what the shrimp would taste like on their own?

Main course was roasted pork with a sage stuffing and watercress salad. I've never had pork with the rind still attached. It didn't really add to the flavor nor keep the meat any more moist. Stuffing was dry but I'm thinking that's the British style stuffing.