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WITH a husband who professes to be a Delia Smith disciple - and he is a pretty good cook - it is very rare for us to eat out.
However, after hearing glowing reports about the new early evening menu at The Bistro in Prestatyn's High Street, Ian and I decided to give it a go.
The Bistro, which is popular later in the evening, is in the heart of Prestatyn and with early evening parking on the High Street, it is ideally located for a hassle-free meal out.
The menu offers three courses for £14.95 before 7pm (and £17.95 after 7pm, both Tuesday to Thursday). That makes it remarkable value for money, given the quality of food. There's also an a la carte menu throughout the week.
Proprietor and chef Chris Lloyd has over 25 years experience in the industry. After his college training he worked at the Wild Boar at Beeston, Cheshire and the Bells of Peover, near Knutsford. Chris then moved on to become head chef at North Shore golf club in Blackpool before moving back to North Wales.
We booked on a Wednesday night for 6.35pm and turned up to find a slight mix up - there was no record of my booking. However, this was quickly dealt with by accommodating staff who offered us a table in the comfortable surroundings upstairs. We ordered a glass of pinot grigio rose for me and a tonic water with ice and lemon for my husband and studied the menu. We also ordered half a bottle of pinot grigio rose to go with our meal.
Choosing the food was difficult as there was an extremely good and varied selection of mouth-watering courses with decent vegetarian options. Although I am not a vegetarian, I do know a number of people who are, and many a time I have heard them complain about the limited choices for them at restaurants - not so at The Bistro.
We finally made our selection - I opted for the smoked chicken salad with baby gem lettuce, fresh mango and home made curry mayonnaise and it was delightful. It was served with slices of chicken and fresh mango on a bed of lettuce drizzled with the sauce and was very light and refreshing.
My husband ordered pan fried mushrooms finished in garlic and crème fraiche sauce, topped with a sliver of brie, and with toasted ciabatta. The ingredients worked well together and were voted a hit with my husband who said that it looked and tasted superb.
For the main I opted for a vegetarian baked goats cheese tartlet with new potatoes, Mediterranean vegetables and salad. The tartlet just melted in my mouth and the taste was sublime. The accompanying vegetables were cooked well and served hot.
My husband went for a more traditional braised lamb shank with redcurrant and rosemary sauce, on a bed of mashed potato. It came piping hot and my husband tucked in with gusto, clearing his plate and praising the chef.
By this time we were both fairly full but there was a very good atmosphere and we were really enjoying the experience - so, after the waitress kindly left us time to deliberate, we decided to order a sweet.
I opted for Baileys crème brulee and when it came I just knew that it would taste divine and it did not let me down. My husband went for the banana and peach banoffee pie, savouring every mouthful.
The food really had been first class and no wonder the restaurant's reputation is growing. An early evening menu is an excellent idea as it gives people a chance to try out top cuisine at affordable prices.
However, the number of people coming after the 6.45pm deadline clearly shows The Bistro is a very popular dining out venue and one we will definitely be trying out again.
120 High Street, Prestatyn, Clwyd,
LL19 9BH
Tel: 01745 857144
My wife and I plus two friends dined at the Bistro on Friday 13/09 and I must say what a gastronomical experience it was.We had four dfferent meals rangeing from Chicken to belly pork,I tried the Belly Pork only because I thought what on earth can you do with a fatty piece of pork that I would never use as a main meal,wrong, it was presented beautifully on a bed of mashed potato and leeks (I think)topped with roast apple and apricots it was absolutely delicious,also the starter of black pudding and poached egg fabulous ,my three guests also commented on how really nice there meals were.Congratulations to your terrific cheff and thank you to the courtious and attentive waitresess which made our evening a great pleasure.Be back soon. Trevor Williams Prestatyn.…
comment by Trevor Williams - 15/02/2009 05:29
nice food with loverly staff 4 stars …
comment by boris jhonson - 02/12/2008 09:36
very nice food with very nice staff the food tastes nicer than anywere ive been 5 stars i think…
comment by dav - 01/12/2008 11:53