Harden's survey result
Summary
“Was it expensive, yes. Was it challenging, yes. Was it worth it, YES!” Gareth Ward’s famous matt-black painted mansion in the mists of mid-Wales isn’t one of the nation’s most expensive culinary pilgrimages for nothing, and fans of its maximalist style – complete with loud music and no end of restaurant ‘theatre’ – say that even if its 20-30 course menus are “a bit too protein-centric” (to be fair, the website does say they claim to be ‘protein-obsessed’) that “you can’t fault the cooking or the passion” that drives “an incredible all-round experience” hailed by some as “the best in the UK”. It still gets the thumbs up from a majority of reporters, but – as its prices have ballooned over its 10 years in operation – doubts have crept in and there’s a significant minority for whom it risks becoming “pretentious and overpriced”. (“It used to be exceptional, but IMHO has now jumped the shark with loud music, arrogant service, and stratospheric prices detracting greatly from its outstanding and interesting cooking…”; “It used to be a favourite of ours but is now more like a boot camp. Arrive when told, dine when told, leave when told… and all at a cost far greater than many Michelin star restaurants in Mayfair!”)
Summary
“There’s nowhere quite like it!". – A middle-of-nowhere mid-Wales location only adds to the mystique surrounding Gareth Ward’s renowned country house hotel, whose (as predicted in our last guide) promotion to two Michelin stars reflects its current position as a major ‘darling’ of the UK fooderati. It’s hard not to be impressed by such a rapid rise to fame while charging £350 per head in the heart of the distant countryside. ‘Ingredient-led, flavour-driven, fat-fuelled, meat-obsessed’ is its motto and many diners remain “absolutely blown away by a meal here” and the 20–30 courses of “mind bending flavours” created by “a fantastic team performance” that provides “pure theatre”. Even fans, though, are starting to feel that “success has slightly gone to their heads” and even many who feel the food is “regally good” think it risks becoming “ridiculously overpriced” (with almost 1 in 3 reporters now nominating the place as their most overpriced experience of the year). And while it’s not like the place hides its maximalist, macho tendencies, these can also be a mixed blessing. (“Yes the food is amazing, flavours just jump out at you. But it is all so intense, dish after dish, 32 in all. The atmosphere is like a live performance and by the end you can’t cope and sit in a dazed stupor. It’s fun, but too intense and too alpha male”).
Summary
“An incredible dining experience” and “one-off”: Gareth Ward’s vibey country-house hotel is stuck out in the “back of beyond” – “a gorgeous location in coastal Mid-Wales” – “but certainly ‘vaut le detour’… and then some”. Indeed, there is a buzz about the place which esteems it in the eye of foodies as one of the UK’s main gastronomic ‘players’ (and its widely thought to be “overdue a second Michelin star”). ‘Ingredient-led, flavour-driven, fat-fuelled, meat-obsessed’ is the promise of the website. The resulting tasting menu is “an eye-opening education in tastes and culinary skill, introduced by the chef himself, almost all sourced from the surrounding countryside: conversation-stopping food!” And it’s all backed up by a “personable staff and management” who create a “wonderful vibe” (of a determinedly non-traditional nature). Just one thing. At £300 per head, it’s decidedly “not cheap”… a fact that causes gripes even amongst some ardent fans.
Summary
“Most exciting food is served to the beat of The Prodigy and The National” at Gareth Ward’s “small but super-comfy country house hotel in the wild, wild west of Wales”: “a very different and accomplished” experience, whose many fans say is “well worth the (extensive) detour”: “some of the best dishes I have eaten from a tasting menu of 20 plates in a chilled space with great staff, banter, and fun”. Prices are high, though, and its funky approach including the “sonic assault” of the soundtrack mean that even those who praise “astonishing and inspired” cuisine can be in two minds about (or occasionally dead set against) it: “I quite like hip hop and do think the servers should have a good time, but this is a bit like having an expensive and romantic meal in a room that has been taken over by teenagers”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms?
Eglwys Fach, SY20 8TA
Restaurant details
Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms Restaurant Diner Reviews
"We took the opportunity to stay in one of the garden rooms, which were great, I would comment that you need to get there early as time is of the essence. By the time we arrived and had a couple of drinks it was gone 4pm and not enough time to use the large and baths before dinner at 7pm. Then to dinner, it was not our first visit and we had booked the Chef's Table which gives you the opportunity to chat with the Chefs as they work and we had great banter throughout the evening. As mentioned before you do need to attend with the right attitude otherwise the 33 courses can turn into a marathon of endurance but you are encouraged to pick up the crockery and drink and even like the plates. Needless to say the food was sensational and in some instances a bit of an enjoyable challenge. many local ingredients but everything of the highest quality. the entire evening we were serenaded by a DJ and some great music. The wine list was interesting. They no longer do breakfast as this was wasteful, more was going into the bin that on the table, is this a problem? No, they provide great coffee to take with you and after 33 coursesI did not eat again until that nights dinner!Is it expensive? Yes, but not outrageous for 2 stars, is it challenging? Yes. Is it worth it? yes which is why we keep going back."
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £50.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 15.00% |
Eglwys Fach, SY20 8TA
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 5:15 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 5:15 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Thursday | 5:15 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Friday | 5:15 pm‑10:15 pm |
| Saturday | CLOSED |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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