http://llanerch-vineyard.co.uk/
Llanerch Vineyard is set in the delightful Vale of Glamorgan in a hamlet called Hensol. This place has had significant investment in the last few years and is now firmly on the culinary map offering the whole range of the hospitality spectrum. First impressions are that you feel welcomed and invited but are suitably impressed by the sprawling estate-esque setting of the vineyard, lakes and buildings on offer.
The services provided here encompasses 4 star accommodation of self catering and luxury guest rooms, vineyard tours, cookery school, shop offering local produce/gifts. If that was not enough the restaurant and bar serves breakfast, morning coffee, lunch, afternoon teas and evening meals.
Backing up this enterprise are an experienced and enthusiastic kitchen offering a constantly evolving and seasonal menu serving mouthwatering and inspired dishes to a growing list of eager customers. Up front, the staff are numerous, extremely polite the service it appears has a great mix of experience and enthusiasm. A proactive urgency and attention to detail are all that is required to match the venues aspirations.
The owners have made this establishment a 'must' for anybody visiting South East Wales and in very short time seem to have devised a strategy that is proving an irresistible blend of experience, resource and enthusiasm that just shines through.
I am indeed testament to the attraction of this place and have sampled a number of the services on offering most recently the morning coffee, freshly ground with sumptuous scones served on a platter with quality clotted cream, jam and a sliced strawberry. The food is thoughtfully sourced from trusted local suppliers with the chickens being plump, healthy and free range but importantly is totally delicious and moist once roasted with lemon and rosemary. The bar is well stock with a fine selection of single malts and brandies but special mention goes to the own brand 'Cariad' selection of wines having sampled the sparking rose it ceratinly stands up strongly to a moderately priced known brand and well worth the indulgence.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Wednesday, 3 April 2013
Duo of Dark/White Chocolate Easter Eggs | Recipe
Duo of Dark/White Chocolate Easter Eggs
Ingredients
300g Dark chocolate 85% Coco solids
100g White Chocolate
25g packet of white chocolate buttons
2 x Balloons
Piping bag
Prep
Large enough bowl to melt chocolate and hold the balloon
Large tray cover in greaseproof paper
Empty shelf in your fridge
Methods
Chop dark chocolate into small pieces. Melt 200g of the dark chocolate over a ban Marie until fully melted, remove from the heat for a few moments before adding the remain 100g of dark chocolate stirring in until the whole mixture is smooth and glossy, allow to cool slightly before tasting a small amount to ensure the texture is silky smooth therefore you've achieve the tempering required to create a perfect finish when set. Inflate your balloons to probably a third full of air, grab it by the knot hover over the melted chocolate and drizzle all over the balloon carefully rest on the tray, repeat with second balloon and transfer into the fridge for 20mins to set. Repeat the process with a second layer.
Whilst the eggs are chilling melt the white chocolate over a ban marie allow to cool slightly and pour into a piping bag.
Remove from the fridge and trim all excess, saving it to seal the hole, and with a pair of scissors snip the balloon, with luck remove it from the remaining hole. Using the hole left by the balloon knot, fill with the chocolate buttons, using the white chocolate as glue take a piece of excess choc. seal it up.
Using the melted white choc. pipe a design of your chose over the outside of the eggs.
You've created a handmade luxury dark chocolate egg of a size that would be very costly to buy that you can enjoy selfishly or shared.
Ingredients
300g Dark chocolate 85% Coco solids
100g White Chocolate
25g packet of white chocolate buttons
2 x Balloons
Piping bag
Prep
Large enough bowl to melt chocolate and hold the balloon
Large tray cover in greaseproof paper
Empty shelf in your fridge
Methods
Chop dark chocolate into small pieces. Melt 200g of the dark chocolate over a ban Marie until fully melted, remove from the heat for a few moments before adding the remain 100g of dark chocolate stirring in until the whole mixture is smooth and glossy, allow to cool slightly before tasting a small amount to ensure the texture is silky smooth therefore you've achieve the tempering required to create a perfect finish when set. Inflate your balloons to probably a third full of air, grab it by the knot hover over the melted chocolate and drizzle all over the balloon carefully rest on the tray, repeat with second balloon and transfer into the fridge for 20mins to set. Repeat the process with a second layer.
Whilst the eggs are chilling melt the white chocolate over a ban marie allow to cool slightly and pour into a piping bag.
Remove from the fridge and trim all excess, saving it to seal the hole, and with a pair of scissors snip the balloon, with luck remove it from the remaining hole. Using the hole left by the balloon knot, fill with the chocolate buttons, using the white chocolate as glue take a piece of excess choc. seal it up.
Using the melted white choc. pipe a design of your chose over the outside of the eggs.
You've created a handmade luxury dark chocolate egg of a size that would be very costly to buy that you can enjoy selfishly or shared.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
The Fig Tree Restaurant, Penarth | Review
First Impressions
The setting of the restaurant is in a picture postcard sitting on a pretty Esplanade on the South Wales coast and even on a dismal day like this the views are enchanting, The decor of the restaurant is contemporary giving and airy yet cosy feel, probably helped by the contrasting weather. The kitchen is open plan and in full view as you enter and is both reassuring and interesting but somehow felt cluttered and overpowering.
The service
The welcome was warm and we were shown to our seats happily accommodating a busy toddler. Throughout the service was consistently good showing a well balanced combination of attentiveness and space to relax and enjoy our food.
The Food
I decided upon a starter of Per Las cheese and pear brulee. The classic combination of cheese and fruit seemed a perfect but it fell short of my expectations. The ingredients were well put together and the presentation was classic brulee but the initial mouth shocked my taste buds as i was expecting a contrast of warm cracking candy against the room temperature cheese and pear all melting in one delicious mouthful. It was unfortunate the dish presented was fridge cold dish with a slightly chewy [not cracking at all] candy topping that removed any flavour sensation that one would expect. It was duly eaten on the other hand.
The main course i choose was belly pork with new potatoes and greens in a garlic dressing. The meat was presented well with a great flavour coming from the pork fat a superb contrast from the crackling against the moist pork. The dressing was slightly overpowered by garlic but the robust pork stood up well and the combined mouthful was truly delightful, one which i repeated until the plate was cleared of food.
The portion sizing was well balanced and i left fulfilled without the need to indulge in a dessert. The people accompanying me all chose the battered fish, chips and peas that wowed them on arrival due to the size of the fish portion and satisfyingly crispy batter. The pricing for the lunch time service was remarkably reasonable with a set two courses at £11.50.
A satisfying dining experience from an establishment of significant reputation one that i would recommend you try.
The setting of the restaurant is in a picture postcard sitting on a pretty Esplanade on the South Wales coast and even on a dismal day like this the views are enchanting, The decor of the restaurant is contemporary giving and airy yet cosy feel, probably helped by the contrasting weather. The kitchen is open plan and in full view as you enter and is both reassuring and interesting but somehow felt cluttered and overpowering.
The service
The welcome was warm and we were shown to our seats happily accommodating a busy toddler. Throughout the service was consistently good showing a well balanced combination of attentiveness and space to relax and enjoy our food.
The Food
I decided upon a starter of Per Las cheese and pear brulee. The classic combination of cheese and fruit seemed a perfect but it fell short of my expectations. The ingredients were well put together and the presentation was classic brulee but the initial mouth shocked my taste buds as i was expecting a contrast of warm cracking candy against the room temperature cheese and pear all melting in one delicious mouthful. It was unfortunate the dish presented was fridge cold dish with a slightly chewy [not cracking at all] candy topping that removed any flavour sensation that one would expect. It was duly eaten on the other hand.
The main course i choose was belly pork with new potatoes and greens in a garlic dressing. The meat was presented well with a great flavour coming from the pork fat a superb contrast from the crackling against the moist pork. The dressing was slightly overpowered by garlic but the robust pork stood up well and the combined mouthful was truly delightful, one which i repeated until the plate was cleared of food.
The portion sizing was well balanced and i left fulfilled without the need to indulge in a dessert. The people accompanying me all chose the battered fish, chips and peas that wowed them on arrival due to the size of the fish portion and satisfyingly crispy batter. The pricing for the lunch time service was remarkably reasonable with a set two courses at £11.50.
A satisfying dining experience from an establishment of significant reputation one that i would recommend you try.
Bryn Trych Pub and Restaurant, Capel Curig, North Wales
www.bryntrychinn.co.uk
Chorizo and pea risotto with pan fried chicken breast with a pesto herb crust & a Welsh Black beef burger with salad and chunky chips.
My companion an I [Brother] embarked on our adventure weekend, a celebration of a cousins marriage, to the beautiful mountains of North Wales lined up for a weekend of mountain biking, orienteering and alcohol. A long journey from South wales mixed with a near 'miss' with some dubious looking accommodation left us searching for some hearty food. Capel Curig is a small village but spread out with little land marks in the dark but a quick search on the smartphone [amazed i had signal] revealed Bryn Trych Pub and an even quicker walk around the corner we found this delightfully modern looking gastro-pub - Bryn Tyrch.
First Impressions
On entering we were confronted by a roaring fire surrounded by Chesterfield sofas and an array of eating tables. At the bar we promptly ordered up some snowdon ale that was frankly Divine with subtle hobs and hint of sweetness. The food menu was split between bar and restaurant options to cater for all budgets and tastes, the trade here is mainly active walking and mountaineering types and i certainly got a sense that most had a few quid and this establishment is testament to that.
The Service
The service from the apparent owner was extremely friendly and accommodating when i questioned the contemporary feel of the menu and subsequent portion size i was met with the a sure response that chef does not do small portions especially as most customers have been up a mountain that day.
The Food
The risotto arrived and i was met with a large bowl of risotto with topped with a whole chicken breast. First mouth fulls were pure satisfaction with a creamy rich texture met with a soft nutty rice, mingled within were the peas and chorizo that gave a mild spice background flavour. The Herby/nutty crusted chicken
breast was very well cooked being succulent combined well with the herby outer crust and risotto below. Only one oddity I'd mention would be the need for chorizo and chicken, i believe the dish would have worked well with either or.
A well organised establishment with a cosy relaxed atmosphere serving excellent food and local Ale.
Chorizo and pea risotto with pan fried chicken breast with a pesto herb crust & a Welsh Black beef burger with salad and chunky chips.
My companion an I [Brother] embarked on our adventure weekend, a celebration of a cousins marriage, to the beautiful mountains of North Wales lined up for a weekend of mountain biking, orienteering and alcohol. A long journey from South wales mixed with a near 'miss' with some dubious looking accommodation left us searching for some hearty food. Capel Curig is a small village but spread out with little land marks in the dark but a quick search on the smartphone [amazed i had signal] revealed Bryn Trych Pub and an even quicker walk around the corner we found this delightfully modern looking gastro-pub - Bryn Tyrch.
First Impressions
On entering we were confronted by a roaring fire surrounded by Chesterfield sofas and an array of eating tables. At the bar we promptly ordered up some snowdon ale that was frankly Divine with subtle hobs and hint of sweetness. The food menu was split between bar and restaurant options to cater for all budgets and tastes, the trade here is mainly active walking and mountaineering types and i certainly got a sense that most had a few quid and this establishment is testament to that.
The Service
The service from the apparent owner was extremely friendly and accommodating when i questioned the contemporary feel of the menu and subsequent portion size i was met with the a sure response that chef does not do small portions especially as most customers have been up a mountain that day.
The Food
The risotto arrived and i was met with a large bowl of risotto with topped with a whole chicken breast. First mouth fulls were pure satisfaction with a creamy rich texture met with a soft nutty rice, mingled within were the peas and chorizo that gave a mild spice background flavour. The Herby/nutty crusted chicken
breast was very well cooked being succulent combined well with the herby outer crust and risotto below. Only one oddity I'd mention would be the need for chorizo and chicken, i believe the dish would have worked well with either or.
A well organised establishment with a cosy relaxed atmosphere serving excellent food and local Ale.
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