Pub, Restaurant or Deli? The Bunch of Grapes is all of these - and more! Located just off the A470 between Cardiff and Pontypridd, ‘The Bunch’ (as it is fondly known locally) is all about good food, a great atmosphere and warm surroundings.

We arrived on a busy Thursday night to sample Head Chef Sebastien’s cooking and we were not going to leave disappointed!

The building dates back to the 1800's when the great Welsh Forge masters plied their trade along the Glamorganshire Canal. Now, however, the trade plied within is that of pure hospitality. Beautifully renovated to keep in character with the building, the decor is both charming and contemporary.

There’s even a dash of celebrity culture – from the photographs of the likes of Jason Statham, Johnny Knoxville and Sophie Dahl that grace the walls (Nick Otley is also a photographer – how does he find the time?) to their latest acquisition of the oven used by Marco Pierre White in the Hell’s Kitchen TV show.

We took our seats in the bar for a pre-dinner drink and were faced with a choice from the owner Nick Otley's own brewed ales. These are award winners in their own right, but that’s another story.

We settled down with the menu and were also directed to the fantastic choice of specials on the blackboards dotted around the dining room. The food is locally sourced wherever possible and also homemade as much as possible. We were even treated to a sampling of chef’s home cured Parma-style ham with bread and marinated olives. A sheer Deli delight! The ham was fantastic, wonderfully cured with just that right edge of saltiness.

We then made our decisions and began to enjoy our very palatable Sauvignon Blanc.

The starters arrived - Bath Chaps (pigs’ cheeks) for me and a Duck Liver Pate with Victoria Plum Chutney for my wife. They were both delicious; the pigs’ cheeks were beautifully cooked and incredibly tender with just the right amount of Salsa Verde to accompany them.

The home made pate and plum chutney were declared a meal in their own right. The sharpness of the plums cutting through the richness of the pate bringing just the right contrast to the dish.

We had both chosen the same main course; slow braised shoulder of Pork with mustard mash, cauliflower and 'O' jus. The portions at The Bunch are generous - don’t let anybody tell you otherwise! The tenderest Pork imaginable with a mash that came with just a subtle hint of mustard and accompanied by deep fried cauliflower that melted in the mouth. After all that food we were, unfortunately, left with no room for dessert - a mistake that won’t be made a second time if the menu was anything to go by. We opted for the safe option of coffee and left feeling pleasantly full. The staff were very friendly and made the whole affair very affable.

What else can we tell you about The Bunch of Grapes that would add to your dining experience? How about taking some homemade bread, chutney or local cheese away with you from their in-house Deli? Gift hampers will also be ready to go in December which will include Nick’s fabulous ales from his Brewery. All produce is locally sourced and 100% Welsh and if that isn’t enough to tempt you why not try the ‘Oct-O-Bar Fest’ event. A twist on the Munich Oktoberfest it will be a celebration of food, drink, burlesque and music. I honestly can’t recommend the Bunch enough, a venue that gives back to the community that supports it and serves up damn fine food!!

Surely ten minutes out of Cardiff isn’t far by any means, try it, you won’t be disappointed!

For more information and details how to book, visit the website: http://www.bunchofgrapes.org.uk/

 

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites