King Brychan — Restaurant in Wales

To be honest the place is very clean, very friendly, very comfortable, the staff are attentive and polite and the amenities are spotless. The menu is pretty good, it's comparable to quite a few nearby places in both the selection and prices. The big draw was that it also has a carvery. And it was this reason that my brother and I decided to call in there today when I had picked him up from Cardiff, bringing him home after a holiday. I thought I would treat him to a carvery because my friend and I had been there the day before (first time visit) at 11:30 in the morning and had a delicious carvery where verything was fresh and hot.

Today we walked in at 12:40, and asked for carvery, and we were told that all the meats, apart from the gammon, had run out - it is the first time I've ever been in any carvery anywhere where the meat is not constantly prepared in the rear to replace the meat that runs out in the front. The meat today must have run out in the short time it opened by 12:30 or so - and there was nothing to replace it.

Instead of deciding to leave, we decided to have a set meal instead. He chose the 8 oz aged steak and I chose the steak and ale pie. This is my 'yardstick' choice, it's what I always choose on the first time at any eatery I go to, in order to compare between every other place I've ever been in.

On going to the counter I was told that the 8 oz Aged Steak had also run out, thereby forcing my brother to choose the 8 ox Sirloin (and me, more expense). Please bear in mind that the time was still before 13:00.

My brother loved his meal, said the steak was stunning. As for me, pretty much the same for the chips and peas, the pie though was dry with no gravy filling at all, and worse, halfway through I had a mouthful of gristle substance, which basically put paid to my eating any more of it. This is something that I've never ever had the misfortune of happening before, having eaten in so many different places and having the same meal.

I will go there again, but only ever for a carvery. I didn't complain to the staff because it really isn't the...

Re: Festive menu.

Mainly Starter/Dessert.

Re: Starter. I chose the Pâté with onion chutney for starters.

The Pâté and chutney was a satisfactory portion and tasted delicious however, I cannot say the same with regard to the French stick bread portion.

I had 3 slices of bread, 1 of 3 was the first or last cut of the stick and was no bigger than a 10 pence piece and should not have been served.

The bread portion in comparison with the Pâté and chutney was completely disroportionate. I still had half a portion of Pâté and chutney after I'd eaten the bread.

Re: Dessert I chose the lemon tart with ice cream and raspberry sauce.

It was served with a straw shape/length chocolate/wafer on top (the type of addition you would expect to see on an ice cream sundae or cone). It was certainly misplaced on a lemon tart dessert.

I was expecting a fresh raseberry coulis however, what was drizzled all over the tart was, an extremely sickly sweet artifical sauce that can be purchased from supermarkets to drizzle over ice cream.

In my opinion, the dessert would be best served with a fresh raspberry on top of the tart, fresh coulis (not drizzled over the tart) and served with fresh cream not ice cream.

The sauce completely ruined the dessert for me, so much so I left 99% of the tart and just ate the ice cream but wished it was cream.

The carvery had a good selection but parsnips with onions was a definately no no for me too. Both tasted fine but not together.

The staff were professional, friendly and very attentive.

The establishment closer to the toilet area had a damp smell in the air.

The Christmas trees were both decorated beautifully.

In summary, the starter and dessert did not deserve anything higher than 2 stars for...

Went to King Brychan a few weeks ago for some food on my birthday, with my son and my dad; having not long moved to the area, it was the first time I'd been. The staff were lovely, friendly, chatty, so accommodating, and wrote a little birthday note on a plate with my dessert for me, which was a cute little surprise.

Went again this evening, today being my son's birthday, and the staff were just fab. The lady on the bar was so friendly and chatty which was a lovely welcome. We were then looked after by Richard who was an absolute star! My little boy wanted a milkshake, which normally I don't think is available, however Richard went off himself to make one for my boy, which my son was chuffed about! We had brought a cake with us that Richard brought out, with lit candles and sang Happy Birthday to my son, both in Welsh, and English, it was so sweet and my son was delighted! (Richard had taken the time earlier in the evening to chat to my son to ask him about his day, his presents, and to ask his name for when he later sang Happy Birthday - such a nice, appreciated little touch!)

The food was lovely, great value for money, and brought out by a really polite and friendly young man (I didn't catch your name, sorry).

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, other customers were friendly and chatty. It was generally just such a nice evening, so thank you to all we encountered this evening! An all around great pub, with a fab team! I'm sure...