■ Inside the revamped Heathcock
A POPULAR Cardiff pub officially reopened at the weekend after being taken over by the team behind the award-winning Hare & Hounds in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The Heathcock, which has pride of place in Llandaff’s Bridge Street, has received a revamp courtesy of Tom and Sarah Watts-Jones.
The pair hope to put in place the same tried and tested formula as at its sister pub in Aberthin, using the best seasonal ingredients and local produce, as well as wines, ales and craft beers.
“We first looked at the place in March this year and loved it straight away,” said Sarah, whose co-owner husband Tom will remain as head chef at the Hare & Hounds.
“We thought the location was brilliant – I mean, you just can’t miss the place.
“Plus, there’s a lovely villagey feel about it, which is something we have taken great pride in creating at the Hare & Hounds.”
Indeed Hare & Hounds was only one of two Welsh venues to receive a Bib Gourmand in the 2018 Michelin Guide, which is given to restaurants chosen by inspectors as offering high-quality food as value for money prices – and Tom’s long-standing sous chef from that venue, Dave Killick, will run the kitchen at The Heathcock. “Dave’s been with Tom ever since we opened in Cowbridge so he was more than ready to take on a place of his own so this was perfect for him really,” says Sarah.
“He knows what we expect and, more importantly, what the customers want.
“So he’ll be serving dishes like whole wild salt-baked seabass and rare roast venison haunch - the only difference being The Heathcock has a slightly larger menu with a greater number of sharing dishes.”
Best of all for the couple, other than a skittles alley that needed transforming into extra dining space the building required very little work.
“A lick of paint was all that was necessary in most areas with the main building having been previously done out in turquoise and yellow – quite eccentric.”
Sarah added the couple also have plans to install a polytunnel outside in which to grow their own veg while she said: “There’s still room left over for a beer garden.”
They also intend to convert the upstairs rooms into B&B lodgings.
“We’ve had great feedback already so we’re happy,” she said.
“People like how it’s looking and the locals seem excited to have a place like this just round the corner.”
■ For more details or to book go to www.heathcockcardiff.com.