Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Set in Harlech, the Y Branwen Hotel is a warm and welcoming family-run business. Overlooking Harlech Castle and the gateway to the Snowdonia National Park, this Welsh country house hotel is something out of a fairytale book. In keeping with the theme, the restaurant offers a classic dining experience with elegant French windows that allow the sunlight by day while dimming the room with candlelight by night.The service is exceptionally attentive and guests feel welcome to linger on for as long as they please.

The menu is varied and the food, interesting with seasonal, local produce freshly prepared by talented and experienced chefs. Go for the local Welsh pork and leek sausages with creamed mashed potato, Thai fishcakes with mixed leaves and finish with the summer berry fruit pudding. It's hard to go wrong with the menu, so pick your indulgence carefully and save the rest for future visits. Though perfect for romantic getaways, Y Branwen really will not disappoint for any and every occasion.

What was originally a quite modest 14th century property has now become a handsome country house with more than the usual ration of fine views and lush surrounding countryside. The cuisine is pretty sensational too and includes home grown fruit, vegetables and herbs from the kitchen gardens as well as locally sourced produce. Dinner can be quite a grand affair depending on the number of courses you select.

Quite achievable is a starter of spicy crab parcel with strips of vegetables and a wild horseradish butter sauce. Follow with clear mushroom cawl topped with a cheese soufflé. Then it's a choice between the breast of wild pheasant and mallard duck and the noisettes of Welsh mountain lamb with a leek, wild garlic and hazelnut crust.

Welsh cheeses then come to the fore with Pen Beri, Snowdonia and Granston Blue, with carrot and herb bread and homemade oatcakes or perhaps the yellow raspberry and dark chocolate tart accompanied by a citrus cream. There is something of an air of theatre about the evening, in the best possible way, not altogether unassisted by the genial staff.

Cemlyn Tea Shop treats diners to not only a wide variety of tea, coffee, wine and food but to fantastic views of 13th century Harlech Castle, Royal St. David's Golf Course, mountains and the sea.

Situated in the historic town of Harlech on the west coast of Wales and within the Snowdonia National Park, Cemlyn is recognised by the prestigious Tea Council. All of its choices, from teas from India and the Far East, to Sri Lankan, African, Chinese, Japanese, and breakfast and traditional afternoon teas, are offered loose leafed. Italian style coffee is made from Segafredo beans or a special guest bean that changes every few weeks.

Food from scones, tea cakes and handmade bread to snacks and light lunches is all created in house. You can be assured that your cream tea will be served with only the very best local Welsh cream, not that 'squirty stuff' that comes in aerosols.

Cemlyn has two letting bedrooms, both located on the first floor. The tea shop is open from Easter to November and closes for the winter.

The Plas Restaurant is situated on the High Street of the historic coastal town of Harlech, and is run by Paul and Julia McAdams who have more than thirty years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Visit the elegant restaurant or conservatory and take advantage of the most spectacular views of Royal St. David's Golf Course across the bay to the Llyn Peninsular.

The lunchtime menu comprises of freshly baked baguettes with assorted fillings such as prawns, stir fried beef and onions and Welsh cheddar cheese. Lighter options include homemade soups, smoked mackerel and gravadlax. They offer a selection of freshly cooked hot meals such as home cooked ham with eggs and grilled Welsh lamb chops. The evening menus are changed regularly to make full use of local, seasonal ingredients whenever possible.

The Plas opens daily, all year serving light lunches and cream teas in the conservatory or on the terrace. The restaurant is open only at weekends in the winter months.