The Dining Room, Abersoch

Sometimes the best places to eat are the restaurants which you stumble upon by chance.  This was the case when we ended up at The Dining Room in Abersoch.  

Deciding where to go for dinner can be a tricky decision for us, especially when we are on holiday and don't know the local eateries. We struck gold this time when Hannah found an advert for The Dining Room in a local brochure.

The restaurant is discreetly tucked away a short walk up from Abersoch harbour and you would be forgiven if you walked right past it.  Situated in a quaint little row of shops - it looks more like a small tea room than a place to go for dinner.

The tea room theme continues inside with a homely and welcoming vibe with just enough room for a dozen customers without feeling too cramped.

We shared warm bread with oil and balsamic vinegar - a classic pre-starter to dinner which seems to have gone missing from a lot of places we have eaten at this year.

Smoked salmon Sc'egg with hollandaise and asparagus

This is the best starter I have had all year and it is worth visiting The Dining Room just to try this dish.  The Sc'egg, served in a different style each month, is the restaurant's signature dish and was so bloody fantastic it deserves 3 pictures!

Asparagus, cured ham and egg

Hannah went for a similar dish which was equally as satisfying. The delicate egg was covered in a hollandaise sauce and underneath was the perfect combination of salty ham wrapped around crunchy, super fresh asparagus. 

Ribeye of Welsh beef with smashed black pepper and brandy sauce, balsamic onions and herb butter

I am a real carnivore and this was a dish designed for someone just like me.  A perfectly cooked slab of the finest Welsh beef that came with a wonderfully rich sauce and seasonal vegetables which we both shared.

Just look at it and marvel.  

Sea trout with grilled red onion and garlic, rosemary and anchovy mayonnaise

When by the sea Hannah prefers to stick to seafood.  Her sea trout was exceptional and ridiculously fresh, the mayonnaise gave it a gentle but lovely kick. 

We were far too full to attempt a pudding after our outrageously good meal which Hannah was most upset about. However, we got our sweet fix from the little bag of sweets they gave us with the bill.  

I love the little touches in this place and made me leave with a smile.

If you find yourself over in this beautiful part of the country, don't hesitate to visit The Dining Room.  It was easily one of the best meals I have had in a long while and the service was impeccable. Five stars!

Follow @grimupnorthfood

Ty Coch Inn, Porthdinllaen

When someone mentions holidays in the UK I think of five hour queues on the A303 to spend a weekend in the rainy West Country.

This entrenched dislike of the British vacation hails back to childhood trips that paled in comparison to our annual summer holiday to Spain.

More recent family breaks back down to the south of England have started to repair the damage done in my youth but I can't say I was entirely enthused when Hannah told me about the trip to North Wales she had booked for us.

All my fears were swept aside however when we spent an amazing weekend exploring the fabulous beaches and eateries of the Llyn Peninsula.  And in glorious sunshine too!

One highlight of the trip was the Ty Coch Inn which is a must visit for anyone heading to the area.

Rated the third best beach bar in the world, the Ty Coch Inn is hidden away in the tiny village of Porthdinllaen.  There is no car access for non-residents so visitors have to either walk through the golf course or stroll along the beach to reach the pub.

We chose to go through the golf course to get there and then headed back via the beach.  Regardless, both ways have amazing views of the bay and were very tranquil.  

After your 20 minute walk you can reward yourself with a cool drink and some lunch either sat at their picnic tables or perched on the famous beach wall. 

I had a tuna and cheese panini and Hannah had a chicken, ham and mayo sandwich.  The lunches are generous and fresh with really quick service despite the fact that it can get very busy.

It isn't the food that makes the Ty Coch Inn a must visit destination.  It is the spectacular views, the lovely walk and the ability to have a drink on one of Britain's most serene beaches.

It is secret spots like this one that have converted me into a fan of the UK holiday.  Who knew that a Welsh vista could take the breath away?!  

How to find the Ty Coch Inn:
Getting to the Inn can be a little bit tricky so don't follow the Sat Nav as you might end up driving off a cliff!

Head to Morfa Nefyn and drive down Lon Golff towards the Nefyn and District Golf Club.

Before you get to the golf club there is a National Trust car park on the right.  This is the best spot to park but make sure you have cash to pay the £4 charge.

From the National Trust car park you can either walk up and through the golf course or down the stairs at the rear of the car park which take you down to the beach.  

Be careful at high tide as beach access is restricted.

The Queen's Head, Glanwydden, Conwy by Hannah

North Wales holds very happy memories for me. My Nanna and Poppa lived in Colwyn Bay and later Llandudno for more than 30 years and my childhood was full of visits to these seaside towns. With so much to do in the surrounding area, I never got the chance to explore further down the coast.

For our wedding anniversary I decided to treat the hubby to a weekend away. After hearing so much about Abersoch from my colleagues at work who visit regularly, I did what any Boltonian does when tempted by a recommended holiday...  I booked it, packed it, and f*cked off. I don't mess about!

On the way to Abersoch I wanted to stop off in Llandudno for old times sake. Since my Nanna moved back to Bolton I've not been back for about 4 years. With hunger pangs growing, Elliott came up with a blinding idea for lunch which I'd totally forgot about - The Queen's Head.

This place is pretty hard to find. It's very off the beaten track but this fabulous pub food is a must. I've been here many times and every visit is just as good as the last.

Serving traditional pub grub with a couple of alternative choices on the menu, the Queen's Head caters for everyone's tastes. The interior is cosy, clean and really hospitable.

Elliott went for a special - Connemara Mussels sauteed in garlic butter on spinach and glazed with Llanrwst smoked cheddar served with salad and French bread. 

For me (who was starving) the Monkfish and King Prawn Curry in a light mango and coconut sauce, timbale of rice, mango chutney and a poppadom. The dish also comes with a small dish of apples and sultanas, but with hating all things associated with raisin-type objects I opted out which the chef kindly obliged. The extra sprinkle of coriander completed my dish and made it a winner from the first mouthful.

The food is so fresh and tasty here. Even Elliott started digging into my curry across the table and I had to stab him with a fork to stop him, naughty husband!

The service was, as always, impeccable and we couldn't ask for more. 

It was a shame I was too full to sample the delights of the amazing cakes and tortes situated behind the front desk. Nevertheless, the curry and my fave Southern Comfort beverage was a brilliant start to our break away.

I tried to get a photo of the outside of the pub but I got caught in a sudden rain shower so the picture really doesn't do it justice.

For somewhere quite out of the way, the pub was packed with people eating which speaks volumes. I'm so glad we remembered to stop here, it truly is a hidden gem in the Welsh countryside!

More Wales blogs to follow!