I went to Llandudno's newest restaurant and it ticked all the boxes
The Abode offers a tempting a la carte array of traditional British dishes- with some tasty additions from around the world - for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner as well as a special Sunday bill of fare served from 12 noon – 7pm.
Portions are generous, prices affordable and everything is freshly cooked to order using all local produce.
Vegetarian, vegan and dietary needs are catered for, so from big breakfasts, Thai crab cakes to hearty Sunday roasts, there's something for everyone whatever their taste and budget.
Drinks are excellent too, with a carefully chosen international wine list available by the glass or bottle, prosecco, champagne, plus a full complement of beers, lagers, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.
Located in prime position at the upper end of Gloddaeth Street close to the promenade, high street and main attractions, this family friendly restaurant is owned by partners Paul and Michelle Heathcote and Paul and Tanya Waywell.
Both couples are well known in the area and between them have some 80 years in the hospitality industry.
The Heathcotes ran the Craig y Don based Someplace Else restaurant and Bar for several years before passing it to their son.
Tanya was the long time assistant manager at the Cottage Loaf, whilst talented chef Paul has worked in leading venues here and abroad. He now heads the Abode's kitchen team.
The fab four worked fast to get their new business up and running before the start of the new season.
It took them just three months from finding what had been the vacant overspill area of the next door Loaf Sandwich and Coffee Bar to transforming the place into an up market setting that would delight people of all ages.
Karen and I really liked the nautical themed decor that paid homage to the town's seaside heritage and Tanya's late father, a deep sea diver.
Adorned with colour photos of Llandudno by local artists, the ground floor venue was spotlessly clean and bright, with trendy battleship grey walls, dark wood panelling and authentic nautical memorabilia, such as mirrors and brass portholes salvaged from sunken vessels.
With an intimate bar complete with sofa to the rear of the room and a spacious restaurant area at the front, The Abode was ideal for any occasion – be it a celebration party, a casual snack with family and friends, or a romantic dinner.
Full marks all round to this sophisticated new hot spot - we felt as if we were on board a classy yacht anchored somewhere in the Med.... if only.
Knowing that Sunday lunch was a busy time, I had pre-booked and Michelle, who was on front of house duty quickly showed us to a table beside the front window.
That gave us a perfect view of the families with young children and dogs occupying the restaurant's four outside tables and the comings and goings in Gloddaeth Street.
By then the dining room was rapidly filling with couples and parties, so my step-daughter and I wasted no time in choosing our food and drink, Karen was driving so she selected half of The Abode's own lager- a light, crisp and clean amber brew and I went for a small glass of Muddy Boots Australian Chardonnay, rich in tropical fruit flavours.
Both were first class and reasonably priced, especially my wine which came in at just £3.95.
Then we got down to the business of deciding what to eat – no easy matter as we really were spoiled for choice with sandwiches served with fries and salad garnish, a full all day menu, specials on the blackboard, plus the Sunday bill of fare containing three different roast meats - beef, turkey and lamb.
No less than eleven substantial starters from sea and land were listed on the Sunday menu.
These were priced from £5.95 for homemade soup of the day to moules mariniere in a creamy white wine and garlic sauce at £9.95.
Other delights at £8.95 included grilled lamb kofta skewers, garlic and chill king prawns; Thai crab cakes and prawn and smoked salmon cocktail with bloody Marie mayo.
We decided to give starters a miss and go straight to mains which included an 8oz steak burger, beer battered haddock, vegetable nut roast as well as the three roasts.
Karen is very partial to fish, particularly if caught locally and she chose a small portion of haddock traditionally served with chunky chips, mushy peas and homemade tartare sauce.
I enjoy red meat occasionally so I selected roast sirloin with all the trimmings.
After a short wait our meals arrived, nicely presented and served on hot plates.
Karen was very happy with her fish which had been pan fried in a light gluten free tempura batter and was done to perfection.
The triple cooked chips were crispy outside and soft in the middle.... just as they should be.
'Absolutely delicious. I can't fault it', she said, leaving nothing on the plate.
My roast beef was equally good. Lots of tender sirloin accompanied by tender stem broccoli, honey roasted carrots and roasties cooked in duck fat for extra flavour. A mega sized Yorkshire pudding and rich red wine gravy completed the dish that really did tick all the boxes!
Lunch wouldn't have been complete without dessert, so casting the calorie count aside, we decided to share a house speciality - limoncello crème brule with cinnamon shortbread.
A generous drop of Italian limoncello liquour added a new dimension to the cooked cream and our meal ended on a very sweet note.
Karen and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience at The Abode. The friendly staff go the extra mile to please customers, tweaking dishes to suit individual tastes and special needs.
The food and ambience of the place surpassed our expectations and prices didn't break the bank.
A new star on Llandudno's social scene? Most certainly
What we ate and drank
Half Abode lager £2.50
Small Chardonnay £3.95
Roast beef £18.95
Small fish £13.95
Limoncello brule £6.95
Total £46.30
Opening
Breakfast 9-12noon; Brunch 10.30- 12noon, Lunch 2-3pm; Dinner 5 - 8.30pm.
Sunday lunch menu 12-7pm. Tuesday bar only open 3-9pm
Access
No problem. Easy access from front door. Disabled toilet for ladies.
Seating
Inside restaurant seating for 52people, with 12 around bar and 12 outside
Parking
Free in Gloddaeth and surrounding streets if you can find space.
Service
Friendly, helpful and attentive.
Overall
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