Copper Kettle Cafe — Restaurant in Wales

I'd heard good things of the Kettle, so I made a point of giving it, and the staff, every chance possible to live up to the hype. But I guess if you are not a local, or regular, you get the bare minimum of service.

I arrived uncertain of how to order so of course I walked in and tried to speak to those behind the counter, after a few minutes I was instructed to take a seat outside. So rather than sit somewhere the servers might not find me I sat right next to the door. Where I was ignored for over 30 minutes, I saw others come and go and fully aware that the cafe closed in line with the market I did sat to worry.

I was tired, cold, and hungry, but smiled at the staff every time they passed me by. Eventually the only staff member; who appeared to be running food to the tables, he was clearly rushed off his feet, and even with the relatively short distance to travel he never seemed to stop. Paused by the table and asked if the others had taken my order as he'd seen me speaking to them. Not an unreasonable assumption, despite the lack of food or drink maybe I'd asked for something that took a while to cook.

The server took my order and within a few minutes brought me a lovely cup of tea, not long after one of the ladies behind the counter brought out my order: A slice of corned beef pie with chunky chips, mushy peas and gravy, I have to say it looked amazing the portions were very generous, the chips were so hot they were hard to eat, but were perfectly cooked and very much welcomed, unfortunately that's the only good thing I can say about it, the gravy although thick was flavourless, as were the peas that reminded me of the watery ones you get at the top of a cheap can of the same.

Worst of all was the pie which I'd been so looking forward to. It had clearly been made earlier and frozen, which is good business practice, but despite the top appearing to be cooked and warm to the touch the meat changed colour half way down and was as cold as the table I'd sat at for so long. greying cooked meat at the top while pink and cold at the bottom is the last thing any pie should be.

Had I the energy to complain at the time I would have but I'd only paid for 2 hours parking and they had taken a hole hour from my arrival to eating, so I just wanted to get away.

After I finished the meal what I took to be the manager arrived to close up, and took away my plates, he did apologise for the wait which was something, stating that it was a bit mad today, which its was very busy and hence my patience.

I felt so sorry for the server who never stopped for the full hour I was present that I left him a tip despite the experience. It was not much but nor was the price of the meal, if the obvious issues with orders and serving could be addressed maybe those behind the counter would have realised they served me a partially cooked meal.

Very disappointing I hope when I give another opportunity as I always do the experience is a more enjoyable one.

My experience was only lightened by the presence of the lovely lady selling sweets next to the shop, without her I would have simply walked to a costa and been...

What lovely welcome we had. It's only a tiny place, but they managed to fit the seven of us in. Best food we've had si ce we arrived in country 4 days ago. It was also a trip down memory lane as both my wife and I visited the Cafe as children when went to Ponty market. Well...

Had lunch here on Wednesday with my partner. Popular spot. Great food at fair prices. Staff are friendly. Service and food were great. Great little spot with plenty...