places to eat Archives – Page 2 of 3 – Passionate about South Wales

St David’s 2 Shopping Centre, Cardiff

October 28, 2010January 5, 2010 by Paul

View of the St David's 2 shopping centre — St David's 2

St David’s 2 is a prestigious new shopping centre in the centre of Cardiff. It builds on the existing St David’s shopping centre that houses Marks and Spencer, Debenhams and Boots.

With the opening of the new shopping centre in November 2009 it is now possible to shop totally under cover from Cardiff’s main shopping street Queen St. right through to the Cardiff Marriott Hotel on Mill Lane.

Building on Cardiff’s shopping arcade history the centrepiece is a large 2 storey glass-topped arcade that runs from Debenhams through to a massive new John Lewis store.

Cardiff Bay Restaurants Website

August 27, 2019May 6, 2009 by Paul

People walking past restaurants in Cardiff Bay

I’ve been busy setting up my new Cardiff Bay Restaurants website – https://www.cardiff-bay-restaurants.wales/.

It’s still a work in progress but it’s well under way. There’s a lot of interest on where to eat in Cardiff Bay. It was clear that a specific site was needed. There are lots of sites listing Cardiff Bay restaurants, but it’s obvious that not many (if any) are based on up-to-date personal experience.

I work in the Bay and eat out quite a bit, so a personal view of the best restaurants is quite easy to do.

Hope you find my new site useful.

Blue Anchor Pub, Aberthaw damaged by fire again

October 28, 2010April 8, 2009 by Paul

Blue Anchor pub after its major fire in 2004 — Blue Anchor in 2004

Unfortunately the Blue Anchor Inn in East Aberthaw has caught fire again last weekend.

This is a great local pub with a huge amount of character. The building dates from 1380. It has caught fire a number of times in its history – a thatched roof and log fires don’t mix very well 🙂

You can read the BBC News story here – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7985050.stm

New House Country Hotel, Cardiff

July 4, 2020February 9, 2009 by Paul

A few months back we had a romantic weekend away at the excellent New House Country Hotel just north of Cardiff.

We fancied somewhere special and New House certainly lived up to that!

The hotel is situated on the hills just north of the city. It has spectacular views down over Cardiff and the Bristol Channel.

The hotel is very luxurious and feels just like my idea of a country manor hotel. Even the gravel drive sounded right as we arrived!

Red Fox Inn, Penllyn near Cowbridge

October 28, 2010December 13, 2008 by Paul

Last night we fancied avoiding cooking and decided to go out to a local pub. We wanted to avoid Cowbridge since we guessed that it would be very busy on one of the last Friday’s before Christmas.

A friend recommended the Red Fox Inn in the village of Penllyn just off the A48 near Cowbridge. The pub used to be owned by Peter Karrie of Phantom of the Opera fame.

The pub has always had a good reputation and is now run by Georgina and Richard who have lots of experience behind them in the hotel business.

Illtud’s 216 Gastro Pub, Llantwit Major

September 23, 2011August 19, 2008 by Paul

I was looking for somewhere local for my special girl’s birthday last Sunday. A friend suggested “Illtud’s 216” in Llantwit Major. Of course I knew it, but had never been. For me it was famous as where Pugsley went after leaving the well known Plough and Harrow in nearby Marcross. I quickly discovered that Pugsley had sold up and the place was now owned and run by Georg and Einar Fuchs. Georg had previously been executive chef in the St David’s Hotel in Cardiff Bay.

I booked a table of 12 in advance for Sunday lunch. A couple of days before I had to drop the numbers down to 10 and then 9, but they were nothing but accommodating every time I spoke to them.