19c Mostly Cloudy
Barmouth Viaduct at Sunset 
Llanberis from Penllyn 
Morfa Bychan beach near Porthmadog 
The Coconut Kitchen, Abersoch
WE escaped for a weekend away at the delightful seaside village of Abersoch on the Lln peninsula. The in-laws joined us which allowed us go out for the night.
Since Thomas arrived eight months ago, evenings out are a rare treat, so wife Kate and I were determined to make the most of it.
We were staying at Fach Farm caravan site - near enough to walk into the village so no need for either of us to worry about driving back.
We couldn't get a table at the Coconut Kitchen until 9.30pm, so had plenty of time for a drink at the excellent Vaynol Arms in the village.
The Coconut Kitchen is about five to 10 minutes walk from the village centre, you can't miss it on your right as you drive from Pwllheli.
The place has recently opened as a Thai restaurant in what used to be a fairly rundown pizzeria.
It's only small and I should imagine easily gets fully booked during the main tourist season. Its atmosphere is intimate but informal with soft lighting and candles on the tables.
It was good to feel that the beach, sea and picturesque harbour with its fishing boats were just a few yards away, even if that vista sadly couldn't quite be seen from the windows of Coconut Kitchen.
We enjoyed nicely-chilled bottles of wonderful Thai Singha beer as we waited for our food. It took a while, but in fairness, we had turned up a little early.
The open kitchen makes an interesting feature and it's enjoyable watching the chefs prepare the food before your eyes.
The cooking smelled really good. We looked at the menu and placed our order. We decided on a mixed starter of chicken satay, two fishcakes, two spring rolls, and two slices of pork toast.
We waited half an hour for the starter to arrive so we were ready when it came. First we tried the chicken satay, which was a little disappointing. The chicken at the end of the skewer was a bit over- grilled but the peanut dipping sauce saved it. The spring rolls were among the best we had ever tasted - really flavoursome. The Thai fish cakes were good too - delicate in flavour and well made.
The most disappointing part of this starter was undoubtedly the pork toast. I am sure the toast element was brochette you might buy from a supermarket to go with humus. There was a sprinkling of sesame seeds on top and a trace of pork, but no depth to the toast and it was overdone with no filling.
Kate and I both felt that the starter wasn't particularly good value for money.
For main course, I ordered a Thai fish curry: haddock, king prawns, squid, and scallops in a yellow curry sauce. Kate ordered Thai green chicken curry - fresh sliced chicken breast in lemon grass, lime leaves, green chilli paste and coconut milk garnished with Thai sweet basil.
We ordered one steamed jasmine rice and a portion of soft noodles. Both looked really good when they arrived at the table and the food was very well presented. Small gripe: a bigger portion of rice would have been appreciated.
Green curry is one of my wife's favourite Thai dishes. This time it was a disappointment, albeit one which could easily be corrected. It was just too hot for her and would have been for me too. Kate often chooses hot things but this was just ridiculous.
The heat eradicated all the taste and was unpleasant to eat even with the rice and noodles.
In the end, she had to concede defeat but the very pleasant and friendly manager of the restaurant knocked it off the bill without us asking.
Neither of us have ever been served Thai green curry as hot as that before. That dish should either be much milder or at least, the menu should warn you.
Had the meal not been spoiled by the heat, it would have been excellent.
And excellent is how I would describe my meal. I can't bear the thought of an Indian curry based on anything fishy, but the fragrant flavours and spices of Thai cuisine complement seafood very well.
And, crucially, the chilli in mine had not been overdone.
Kate, having given up on her main course, decided to fill up on pudding. She had the chocolate cake which she judged 'really good'. I had crème brulee which was fine although I must say, I've never taken much interest in desserts.
We like the Coconut Kitchen, and would definitely go again. As a young restaurant it needs a tweak here and there but it is a very welcome asset to Abersoch, for tourists and locals alike.
It's not the cheapest place you'll eat but in a coastal resort you expect to pay a little more.
Abersoch, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 7AN
Tel: 01758 712250
