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Glyngarth, Menai Bridge, Gwynedd LL59 5PD
Tel: 01248 713364
TIME was, in the 19th century, when people would gather at the Gazelle Tavern on the banks of the Menai Strait to wait for the ferry from Anglesey to the mainland.
With the pier across the water in Bangor tantalisingly within reach, little wonder the Borough of Bangor bought the pub and surrounding land for this express purpose, seeking to promote the ferry crossing as an alternative to Telford's Menai Suspension Bridge
Nowadays people gather here more for reason of relaxation than transport, the Gazelle lounging in a sun-trap that's as exquisite as any you're likely to find anywhere in Europe.
It's no surprise the Glyngarth area it stands in, just outside Menai Bridge, has long been dubbed Millionaires' Row, even boasting a couple of private islets linked by causeways to Anglesey proper.
House prices have long since soared into the stratosphere, and it's easy to understand why. Given improved weather on a regular basis, the area could easily compete with the French Riviera.
With the pub blessed by stunning views stretching from the Great Orme in one direction, extending over Penrhyn Castle, the majesty of Snowdonia and the tree-lined avenues of Bangor's posher parts across the water, to Telford's bridge in the other direction, the vista has the beating of cinemascope or high-definition telly any day.
One understands why the millionaires descended here when a million quid really was a fortune.
Tipplers enjoy a drink or a meal on the picnic tables right above the Strait's lapping waters at the bottom of the excruciatingly narrow lane that plunges down to the pub car park.
The chatter is distinctly low key, the clatter of plates being scraped clean and the splashing of the water over the stone slipway drowning out most of the chit-chat.
A youngster breaks the trance as he chucks boulders off the narrow, rocky beach into the wavelets, unhindered by any parental chastening.
Meanwhile a couple of men struggle to bring in their rubber dinghy from their boat moored some 100 yards offshore, the strong current mocking their best efforts. Not really caring for the audience they've garnered, they grin sheepishly.
Inside this Robinson's pub - its in-house Unicorn ale being the only real ale on hand-pull today - a collection of small snug-type rooms awaits.
They include one complete with brick-fronted fireplace that any grandmother would've been pleased to use as the best parlour for offering the vicar or minister tea and bara brith.
They're all however light and airy, in spite of the low ceilings, saturated in bountiful maritime atmosphere.
Noted for its food and the culinary experience in general, especially if you can secure a seat by the windows in the restaurant, look out for the Gazelle's specials board. It could well include delicacies such as a smoked mackerel salad at £7.25 or a rack of ribs at £9.25.
