28 May, 2014
Hungry Aphrodite in Wales!
The beauty of the Great British countryside never fails to impress me. We went on a family holiday to Wales last week and there were several moments of our journey when I actually felt I was driving through the lush green hills of Tuscany (minus the weather, of course!)
We stayed at The Manor House , a beautiful 19th century country house that is part of the massive Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, South Wales. Celtic Manor is famously known for its sprawling golf course, regarded as one of the best in the world. We weren’t here to play golf though.
The Celtic Manor also has a well-known spa so treatments were obviously going to feature prominently on my itinerary. The phone was switched off for spa-day but here’s where I spent much of my time…
Image by Celtic Manor
When we weren’t spa-ing, we were enjoying fabulous, fresh, local food in the beautiful Welsh countryside. Here are some favourite food highlights from the trip.
Our first taste of Wales – Chorizo Welsh Rarebit at The Bell at Caerleon. Made with Real Ale Caerphilly cheese and chorizo on toasted brioche. Yummy.
The obligatory country pub fish and chips also at The Bell at Caerleon.
Happy mother and child at The Bell!
Pre-dinner vino at the charming Manor Lounge Bar at The Manor House (Celtic Manor).
The other mother and son duo on holiday – Mr. A and Grandma A at Le Patio, the French restaurant at the Celtic Manor.
Le Patio served up the freshest, largest and BEST mussels we have EVER had.
We stepped away from the resort for lunch the next day to The White Hart Village Inn. The menu looked incredible but we weren’t too hungry and didn’t do it justice. Cornish crab, avocado, peanut and chilli were gorgeously presented and tasted great too.
And, now to the best meal of our trip at Newbridge on Usk. Part of the Celtic Manor Resort, Newbridge on Usk is located a 15 minute scenic drive away in a beautiful riverside setting in the Usk Valley.
The food was spectacular. Including this kid’s meal of sausage, peas and mashed potato. The tastiest and certainly the best presented child portion I have ever seen.
The adults picked at these unique, homemade potato parmesan gnocchi with roasted baby artichokes. Wow.
And finally, the fantastic Free Range Wye Valley Roast Chicken with Peppercorn and Cognac sauce.
I would go back to Wales just to eat this chicken. It was brilliant especially when drowned in that divine sauce…Mmmmm
I’ve heard the cream tea at Newbridge on Usk is memorable too and I hope to try it someday.
It was a relaxing break and the Celtic Manor was a perfect, family friendly destination with lots to offer for everyone. We will definitely be back again soon for more spa, food, cream tea and perhaps, even a round of golf. 🙂
Visit the Celtic Manor website over at http://www.celtic-manor.com
2 thoughts on : Hungry Aphrodite in Wales!
Looks wonderful … it’s so beautiful along the Usk. Thanks so much for sharing at #OurLondon
Thanks for reading and for your comment. It was lovely and the Usk is gorgeous. Hope to go back again soon.