For Christmas I bought my husband the chance to drive fast cars round a track, and in August he finally got to do it. So it seemed a good excuse for an overnight stay in Wales.
The track was in Swansea (which meant an afternoon on the beach for me and the small brown dog) but looking online for somewhere good to eat nearby proved tricky until I realised that The Hardwick was quite close in Abergavenny. Ok, I appreciate that 50 miles isn’t that close when your poor husband has driven 4 hours to get to Swansea [thanks Olympics] and then round a track all afternoon.
The track was in Swansea (which meant an afternoon on the beach for me and the small brown dog) but looking online for somewhere good to eat nearby proved tricky until I realised that The Hardwick was quite close in Abergavenny. Ok, I appreciate that 50 miles isn’t that close when your poor husband has driven 4 hours to get to Swansea [thanks Olympics] and then round a track all afternoon.
The owner and chef, Stephen Terry, has worked in places such as La Gavroche and The Canteen amongst others. Plus, the pub is listed in Sawdays Pubs and Inns, which has never let us down yet.
Walking into the restaurant, it had just the kind of pub feel that we love – comfy sofa for pre-dinner drink, lots of separate seating areas and a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Plus, always high on my list, warm subdued lighting, as there’s nothing I hate more than sitting in a brightly lit restaurant. You may as well be in a hospital waiting room.
Though the darkness did make photographs a bit dodgy.
Walking into the restaurant, it had just the kind of pub feel that we love – comfy sofa for pre-dinner drink, lots of separate seating areas and a friendly relaxed atmosphere. Plus, always high on my list, warm subdued lighting, as there’s nothing I hate more than sitting in a brightly lit restaurant. You may as well be in a hospital waiting room.
Though the darkness did make photographs a bit dodgy.
After quickly scoffing down gorgeous homemade bread [well, I had only had a 99 ice cream for lunch] I started with Chicken and Sweetcorn – a firm chicken
mousse with herby sweetcorn fritters.
I was sceptical about the fritters as they’re a real favourite in our house – could they possibly be as good?
Dammit, they were even better than mine!! And delicious with the savoury chicken mousse
and some crispy bacon.
mousse with herby sweetcorn fritters.
I was sceptical about the fritters as they’re a real favourite in our house – could they possibly be as good?
Dammit, they were even better than mine!! And delicious with the savoury chicken mousse
and some crispy bacon.
Dave chose the Duck Leg and Duck Liver Hash with a fried egg and having tried it, I would have been equally happy with that.
For a long time I’ve said I wanted to try rabbit but not been sure if I wanted to take the risk. I like the look of it but also feel it’s a bit like eating kittens.
So if I was going to do it, I might as well be in for a penny, in for a pound.
The Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit was a poached loin with creamed Swiss chard, rabbit faggot with peas and a mini rabbit burger with fried polenta. That’s a
whole lot of rabbit so definitely chancy but I really enjoyed it, especially the faggot.
So if I was going to do it, I might as well be in for a penny, in for a pound.
The Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit was a poached loin with creamed Swiss chard, rabbit faggot with peas and a mini rabbit burger with fried polenta. That’s a
whole lot of rabbit so definitely chancy but I really enjoyed it, especially the faggot.
Just as well Dave didn’t choose it, as he tried the loin and the faggot and hated both – clearly rabbit isn’t for him and he was very happy with Hake with
Pea and Polenta Chips and a smoky ketchup [though he did find the ketchup very overpowering].
Pea and Polenta Chips and a smoky ketchup [though he did find the ketchup very overpowering].
Surely we couldn’t squeeze in desserts after all that food? Never a problem for the Hutchfields. My Warm Peaches in Honey with vanilla ice cream and crushed
amaretto biscuits were super-sweet but not a problem for my sweet tooth.
amaretto biscuits were super-sweet but not a problem for my sweet tooth.
Husband went more adventurous and ordered the Basil Panacotta with olive oil, strawberries and balsamic. He made me try the basil panacotta against my better judgement, I think to get me back for the rabbit. Truly truly horrible.
Husband enjoyed it though, crazy fool, though he did say it didn’t need the olive oil.
Husband enjoyed it though, crazy fool, though he did say it didn’t need the olive oil.
Service throughout the evening was friendly and attentive without being rushed. Though one waitress clearly wasn’t expecting a unanimous ‘No’ to her question ‘So are you following the Olympics?’ and still went on to tell us who had won medals that evening. We had no idea who or what events she was talking about but did our best polite faces, as she was clearly excited by it.
Washing down the whole thing with plenty of alcohol and lovely smooth coffees, we went back to out hotel tired, full and happy.
Washing down the whole thing with plenty of alcohol and lovely smooth coffees, we went back to out hotel tired, full and happy.
The Hardwick:
Old Raglan Road
Abergavenny
Monmouthshire NP7 9AA
01873 854220
Old Raglan Road
Abergavenny
Monmouthshire NP7 9AA
01873 854220
RSS Feed