A Weekend In Wales - Day 1

With my Dad living in North Wales, it's a great excuse to whizz up the M1 for a mini break.

With beautiful views of cloud covered mountains, opposite a boat covered sea

and endless fields of shades of green I didn't know existed (and obviously the fluffy sheep that scatter across these fields, which go without saying really).

One of my favourite places to visit is the Menai Bridge.

With views that look out at the sea and beyond, which really take your breath away.

Dylan's

Just across the Menai Strait Bridge is Dylan's Restaurant.

With a menu boasting locally sourced food from North Wales, it's one of the best places to take in the scenery, fill your belly and feel very welcomed by their always friendly and helpful staff (even when very busy!).

Dylan's has two amazing outside seating areas to really take in the views of the Menai Strait.

Best observed with my new favourite drink - Aperol spritz.

Looking at these views can really build up an appetite, so we ordered our food excitedly.

To start:

The seafood taco's

Filled to brim with prawns, scallops and squid.

There was a little debate on whether we should've got the Dyl's drunken mussels instead.

With Jordan deciding to order them straight after the tacos.

The mussels were delicious, steamed in local Welsh cider, leeks and bacon with fresh tarragon and cream - this made for the perfect dipping sauce for the soft and think sourdough bread.

Obviously there seemed to be a theme to our meal, so I ordered the seafood linguini.

Jordan, ignoring the theme but keeping it local, went for the burger box of Welsh beef burger and skinny fries.

With this salt spot stealing the show.

Both were delicious and as we struggled to finish our meals, dessert was kindly offered but reluctantly resisted by our very full bellies.

Dylan's is a must if you're visiting the area, but it does get busy, so book online at:

www.dylansrestaurant.co.uk

Space Like This

Just next door is Space Like This.

Inside shelved are lined with the most gorgeous homeware.

 Items for the bedroom, bathroom and kitchen.

With the shop selling such beautiful items, (even that lovely salt pot we fell in love with in Dylan's),

 they would make a unique gift for someone.. or yourself!

Gwesty Victoria Hotel

Just up the hill from Dylan's is The Victoria Hotel.

Located on the beautiful Isle of Anglesey.

Although the Victoria is a hotel, it's beer garden is open to all to sit with a drink and enjoy the scenery of the Menai Strait, Snowdonia and all the beautiful flowers that grow inside the garden.

The perfect place to spend a Summer's evening in Anglesey.

The Pantiles, Tumbridge Wells

One of my favourite things to do ever, is go to a market.

On a rainy Sunday, Jordan and I, went for a drive in search for one. 

The Pantiles, in Tumbridge Wells, didn't disappoint.

rst and third weekend of each month

rst and third weekend of each month

Many stalls lined the street filled with delicious food, drinks and trinkets.

My favourite stall for obvious reasons. 

Lined with stacks of delicious homemade bread... 

And cakes of course. 

We then stumbled upon this lovely handmade jewellery stand, Tanglewood, selling the sweetest earrings ever. 

My personal favourite, the strawberry earrings!

Walking around the market, we built up a bit of an appetite and looked around for somewhere to eat. 

There's a big selection of places to eat in The Pantiles, from cafes, pubs and restaurants. 

We set our sites on Gastronomia. 

Influenced by the words "Italian Feast" on a black board outside, we made our way inside, greeted by the happiest man in Tumbridge Wells (not proven, but it's definitely a possibility). 

Inside was the sweetest little Italian restaurant.

Decorated with obscure art, walls lined with traditional Italian food and chairs and tables, all different colours and sizes.

Our feast started with a few starters: 

Olives, antipasti and garlic ciabatta bread.

Followed by our main course.

Cod on a bed of mashed potato and "Italian bread crumbs".

We then happily ate up our puddings... 

Too quickly, as I forgot to take a photo!

And said our goodbyes.

We'll be back. 

The Pantiles Market opens on the first and third weekend of every month.

For more information please visit - 
www.pantilestraders.co.uk/markets-on-the-pantiles/

Hawkers House

Christmas comes but once a year, but thankfully delicious pop-up food markets are a regular thing in London.  

On Saturday, my friend Leigh and I went to Hawker's House in Canada Water. 

We threw ourselves through the big black curtain, in to a room filled with lots of a different pop-up stalls, boasting mouth watering menus. 

Wasting no time at all, we headed straight to the bar. 

Ordering two cocktails. They were SOOO good and finished far too quickly. 

We browsed the stalls, all with different, quirky styles. My favourite being The Meringue Girls.

And the meringues looked pretty delicious too...

We headed next door, tempted by a sign emblazoned with burgers and ribs, to buy our much awaited dinner!

But not before we took an obligatory photo in Bob's Lobster shack. 

Leigh had looked up Hawker's House on their Instagram, which meant she already had her eyes set on a burger from Chuck Burger. 

It did not disappoint.

Love at first sight. 

A much needed close up.

Not being sure what I wanted, fate led me to Prawnography, where someone hadn't collected their order, so they gave their order to me (for free!). 

The best fries I've ever tasted. Ever.

Oh my God. Crab fries. 

Another close up? Oh go on then. 

Crunchy, oozing with thousand island dressing and just delicious. 

After all this food it was about time we had another drink. 

We headed to Kamm and Sons and chose a Kammberry, served hot. 

After our hot drinks, we picked up some free ribs (yes free) and headed to the Milk & Honey Mercury Lounge. 

All leather seats and romantic lighting.

And no plastic cups for these cocktails.

I had the kickerbocker, topped with champagne.

Once our cocktails were long gone, we rushed off to get the last train home. 

Only stopping to take a picture at this amazing wall.

For more information visit: www.streetfeastlondon.com