SITUATED in the beautiful town of Llangollen in North Wales is a hidden gem that delivers the very best food and service.
Formerly known as the 'Phoenix Bistro', Chapel St Bar & Kitchen can be found on the corner of Chapel Street in Llangollen - but you'd have to know it was there.
The venue itself is small, perhaps a little cramped, but that only adds to the warm, cosy and intimate feel and experience they deliver. All tables are seated upstairs so contacting the restaurant about accessibility beforehand is advised. Yet, all staff were incredibly friendly and helpful during our visit.
My guest and I were sat by the window allowing us to watch over the locals and tourists who were exploring the town on a drizzly Sunday afternoon.
Food is served until 8pm on a Sunday, already making it a unique dining experience. The roast dinners were highly recommended on our last visit when we were advised to book in advance as the restaurant can become incredibly busy during the evening.
To start, I chose the most delicious halloumi fries on a bed of rocket and salad dressing. Completely fresh and hot from the kitchen, they certainly did not disappoint. For a 'nibble' portion too, the plate was wonderfully generous.
There is nothing more inherently British than to sit inside an inviting restaurant on a wet and windy weekend with a home-cooked roast dinner. I'd never stumbled across such a selection of roasts on a Sunday menu before - they had everything from pork belly to chicken to lamb. I ended up choosing the beef and, when it arrived, I could hardly wait to tuck in.
The serving of beef was more than I expected - and more generous than I'd received elsewhere - lying on a bed of fresh greens, well-seasoned vegetables and a gorgeously-golden Yorkshire pud.
The meat was tender but well done, the roasters were oozing with rosemary and the vegetables glazed in a delicious honey.
We also ordered a side of cauliflower cheese which was recommended as an extra - there were several to choose from on the menu including extra glazed parsnips or pigs in blankets.
The dish was so rich, covered in a mixed blend of mature cheddar and fresh chives. I knew then it would be a challenge to finish it all.
The gravy also came separately which I appreciated. Piping hot, it was the perfect consistency and certainly more than enough for two.
Overall, I was extremely impressed with the quality of the food and service, and the outing definitely did the job after seeing Tripadvisor's most highly-rated. My only disappointment is that Chapel St in Llangollen is not topping their list.
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