Top 50 spot for seaside restaurant
MICHELIN-STARRED Restaurant James Sommerin has been named in the top 50 of the Good Food Guide 2018.
Overlooking the sea in Penarth, it is just one of three restaurants to make the prestigious list, at number 35.
The guide also gives an honourable mention to 10 other South Wales restaurants which failed to make the top 50 but left judges impressed, including brand new entry Asador 44.
Named AA Restaurant of the Year in Wales in 2016/17, Restaurant James Sommerin was last year’s highest Welsh entrant but was pipped by Ynyshir in Machynlleth this year, which was 12th.
Also making the list is The Whitebrook near Monmouth, at number 49.
Restaurant James Sommerin serves both a tasting and a la carte menu featuring dishes like Welsh lamb, 32-day aged sirloin and quail.
The chef owner said being on the list “means everything”.
He said: “It’s testament to the staff. We’re not resting on any laurels and are constantly pushing forward.”
One of the most popular menus is the bespoke tasting menu which sees diners choose their own dishes.
“It means that we build the tasting menu around a customer’s likes and dislikes,” he added.
The other restaurants from the area to make the guide are Arbennig in Cardiff; Bar 44 in Cowbridge; Bully’s in Cardiff; Bunch of Grapes in Pontypridd; Casanova in Cardiff; Chapel 1877 in Cardiff; Hare & Hounds in Cowbridge; Mint and Mustard in Cardiff; Purple Poppadom in Cardiff and the guide’s new entry Asador 44 in Cardiff city centre.
Asador 44 was opened in March by the team behind the Bar 44 tapas restaurants.
It specialises in the Spanish as ador style of cooking.
Judges described it as “a well-run, informal restaurant backed up by faultless, knowledgeable service”.
The Good Food Guide’s Top 50 is made up of the restaurants which scored the highest marks from the judges but the guide, owned by Waitrose, also features other highly-scored restaurants across the UK.
The overall best restaurant is Restaurant Nathan Outlaw in Cornwall.