Home — Restaurant in Penarth

Home is more than fine dining, it is an experience. The only way I can adequately describe it is disappearing into the rabbit hole for a three to four hour delve into a twist on comfort food.

From the road home looks very unassuming, and to be honest we almost missed the entrance from the pavement. A "go home" button push later and we were guided into the elegantly designed modern interior, purposefully crafted to feel like you are walking into a friends (extremely well designed) dining room.

The carpet was fluffy, curtains obscure the road and outside noise, a small platform for tonight's performance sits in front of you, where you can see James and his family working together on preparing the appetisers. The atmosphere is only what u could describe as comfy, personable and calm.

The appetisers were delicious and laid the groundwork for the expected quality of the night ahead. Flavours and ingredients that complement eachother are purposefully arranged in a chorus of taste. Following that was course after course of the finest that Wales offers, and did not disappointed. Fresh lava bread perfectly baked so that it's still warm in the middle, beetroot salad with feta balancing the taste to a sweet and tart, salty and creamy flavour combination.

I won't mention all of the dishes as its up to the reader to truly experience what I can't put into words, but of specific highlights were the potato dish, a decadent 2 hour confit of a potato in thyme butter, topped with beautifully Crispy chicken skin and a smooth rich jous. James described it as Sunday dinner in a bowl and I couldn't agree more.

The second dish that stood out for me was the pea ravioli, an amazing mix of fresh peas with a perfectly cooked ravioli. It was an excellent breakoff point for the rich dishes surrounding it. I have never had such a fresh tasting pasta in my life.

The service throughout was incredible, attentive in all the right ways, subtle things such as refolding your napkin when you have stood up go a long way to making the overall experience feel premium. The communication from James and Georgia on the courses and even the informal chats inbetween truly make this a personal experience.

I can see why home has been awarded a mitchelin star. I hope they continue to ascend in stars...

An absolute pleasure returning to Home, having previously enjoyed both James Sommerin Restaurant and The Shed in Barry. This experience was nothing short of exceptional, from the stunning ambiance to the beautifully curated blind tasting menu.

The restaurants interior is strikingly dark, moody, and intimate, with focused lighting that transforms the open kitchen into a theatrical stage. The heavy curtains enhance the atmosphere, creating a sense of anticipation and exclusivity.

We began with an outstanding trio of amuse-bouches, elegantly presented on wood, stone, and terracotta:

The warm cheese goujon with a crispy crust and delicate cheese shavings was pure comfort.

The Crispy chicken liver parfait with curry and crispy skin, rich, creamy, and melt-in-the-mouth perfection.

The seaweed cracker topped with taramasalata, citrus, and caviar, wonderfully salty with a fresh, briny finish.

The homemade lava bread with seaweed butter was a lovely touch, adding a true taste of Wales to the experience.

Each course of the blind tasting menu was a delightful surprise:

The Serrano ham with pea puree and sage is beautifully balanced dish, complemented by an exceptional Parmesan emulsion.

The Cod with herringbone caviar's perfectly poached, served with a creamy sauce, crispy potato cubes, and a velvety Vachon sauce.

The Venison with compressed pear, maitake mushrooms, and Penderyn whiskey sauce, a complex dish with bold contrasts. The whiskey sauce added a touch of sweetness, though the pear’s sharpness stood out more than expected. The truffle was quite subtle but still added an earthy depth.

The Raspberry souffle with raspberry coulis and tonka bean ice cream, an exquisite signature dessert and the perfect way to end the meal.

The service was flawless attentive, warm, and professional. A particular highlight was a lovely interaction with James Sommerin himself, adding a personal touch to an already outstanding experience.

Overall, Home by James Sommerin delivers on every level with the stunning food, impeccable service, and an intimate, immersive atmosphere. A truly memorable dining experience and a well-deserved...

This was our first experience of a Michelin Star restaurant & it excelled in so many ways. I had wanted to visit here for some time but my partner can be quite fussy with food & wasn't keen on the idea of not knowing what would be served. She need not have worried. We informed them of a few of her preferences via email prior to booking & it was catered for without any difficulty (in fact, there were only 2 very minor differences between what we both ate). The restaurant itself has tasteful decor with an open plan kitchen so you can watch as your food is serenely prepared. We had the 8 Course Menu & added a sharing Cheeseboard. There were also several Amuse Bouche prior to the main menu. Every dish was an absolute delight. Highlights for me were the Isle of Wight Tomato, so packed full of flavour & different textures. Heritage Carrot (carrots don't taste like that in my house!). James' signature dish, Pea Ravioli, was outstanding with velvety soft, thin pasta surrounding the pea puree & topped with crisp, salty Serrano Ham & Sage. The Desserts were a delight as well, both refreshing & light. A perfect way to end a perfect meal. The service was impeccable, from Katherine at front of house, to James & Georgia explaining the dishes as they were served. Nothing was too much trouble for them & any questions we had about the food were answered with a clear passion for what they do. It was enlightening to have a conversation with James about his experience of running the restaurant. A very friendly & engaging man who makes you feel comfortable and welcome. It goes without saying that it is not a cheap evening out (this was a combined Birthday & Anniversary treat). You get what you pay for & this was worth every single penny. I would go every few months if I could, but I think this will likely be a special occasion event for us in future .. but one that we are already looking forward to. A big thank you to all involved for making it such a...