Plum Centre

Wright’s Food Emporium

Destination Dining

There are places in Wales you simply have to visit to consider yourself a Welsh ‘bolgi’ or gourmand. Keep these foodie guides to hand, as these epicurean epicentres are surrounded by local gastro treasures. Book a weekend away, and make ‘bwyd a diod’ the highlight of your stay; let Lowri Haf Cooke guide you on the first of our taste.blas Welsh food pilgrimages...

Welsh Food Mecca: Wrights Food Emporium, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire

After helping to establish Y Polyn as a Carmarthenshire gastro hot-spot, Simon and Maryann Wright (and family) created something different; today, Wright’s Food Emporium is a mecca for Welsh gourmands . You don’t need to be a food hipster, however, to enter the old Golden Grove – just bring an appetite for life and bold Welsh flavours .

Originally based in Nantgaredig, this contemporary Welsh hybrid of cafe-deli-bar-restaurant crossed the Tywi to Llanarthne in 2015. Located just a stone’s throw from the National Botanic Garden of Wales, it shines a similar light on local, seasonal produce.

To your left, as you step inside, you’ll find a tableful of cakes, including meringues – served with seasonal fruit - as big as your plate. To your right, gaze above at the daily blackboard – the Rarebit (with or without ’nduja spicy sausage) is a classic, as is the Pork Belly Cubano, both available all year round. But savour those seasonal ‘shooting star’ ingredients – blink, and you really might miss them – such as coracle caught sewin from the Tywi.

Take a walk through the deli – stock up on Batch 62 Single Botanical Juniper Organic gin from Talog, to the west of Cynwyl Elfed. Or wander into the bar, and take your pick from Welsh ales – Tomos & Ilford from Glamorgan, Loka Polly from Mold, or Seren from Clunderwen.There’s also a variety of natural European wines – also available in Wright’s Wines in Cardiff’s Castle Arcade.

Out back there’s a pleasant sun-trap to while away the hours; grab a book from the extensive foodie library, and savour over Hard Lines coffee from Cardiff, or James Gourmet, roasted in Ross on Wye. Request a bottle of catsup with your meal – it’s plastered with Castro, the family’s three-legged cat. Once a feature in the cafe, he’s now retired upstairs, only rarely heard meowing for his supper. Amongst the friendly foodie chatter, Castro’s spirit is still strong, welcoming all to this Welsh food community that’s like a home away from home.

Wright’s Food Emporium, The Golden Grove, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8JU; tel: 01558 668929

Coaltown Coffee Roasters

Heavenly

Destination Dining

While you’re in the area...

Coffee: Coaltown Coffee Roasters, Foundry Road, Rhydaman SA18 2LS; tel: 01269 400265 (25 minutes; 11 miles South-East)

Hoffi coffi? Grab a cup of Joe from the Roastery Canteen, HQ of Coaltown Coffee in Ammanford. Head straight for the espresso bar, and order a seasonal special – the Maple Syrup Latte with Halen Môn oaksmoked seasalt was a recent revelation, blended with the award-winning Black Gold No. 3 Espresso. Take a pew, and enjoy the view of a proper roastery, then tuck in to an espressobrownie or home-made sourdough pizza. Whatever you do, stop pinching yourself. You’re not in San Fran – you’re in Rhydaman!

Bar: Ginhaus Deli, Market Street, Llandelio SA19 6AH; tel: 01558 823030 (13 minutes; 7 miles NorthEast)

Cross the Tywi from Ffairfach and follow the pastelhued hillside houses to the dreamy market town of Llandeilo. Make a left, and then a right onto Market Street where the drinking den of your dreams awaits! It’s both a gin bar and a deli chock-full of Welsh produce, including Strawberry Gin Jam from Miranda’s Preserves. How about a Gimlet or a Tom Collins? Faced with a veritable wall of gin, you may feel a tad overwhelmed, with a choice of over 240 gins from 46 countries. Make it easy on yourself and choose a Welsh G&T from the selection at ‘Cornel Cymru’. P.S. There’s a train station within walking distance!

Ice Cream: Heavenly, London House, 60 Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo SA19 6EN; tel: 01558 822800 (13 minutes, 7 miles East)

Before departing Llandeilo turn onto Rhosmaen Street, and ponder the philosophical question; ‘What if Willy Wonka were Welsh?’. You’ll find the answer at Heavenly Exquisite Desserts. Not only will you discover a luxury chocolate emporium, but also the most indulgent spot in Wales for afternoon tea. However, the main attraction has got to be the homemade artisan ice cream; don’t leave without tasting one of over 200 fresh flavours. The peach melba is to die for, along with blood orange, and pink grapefruit sorbet. As in life, the biggest challenge will be one of restraint. Life’s too short as it is, so fill your boots!

Restaurant: Y Polyn, Capel Dewi SA32 7LH; tel: 01267 290000 (5 minutes: 2.9 miles North-East)

Finish off your long-weekend - or make a decision to extend! – by discovering the foodie holy grail that is Y Polyn. There you’ll find the definition of a Welsh gastro-pub, thanks to husband and wife team, Chef Susan and Mark Manson. The Sunday lunch is an entry on every Welsh foodie’s ‘Bucket List’, or consider booking a superlative three-course supper. Pack your elasticated-waist trousers for a feast to remember; Susan’s fish soup is the ultimate sharing dish as a starter, whilst the Knickerbocker Glory is a gastro ode to joy!

Pub: The White Hart Inn, Llanddarog SA32 8NT; tel: 01267 275395 (10 minutes; 5 miles South-West)

How about a pub, after all that grub? Preferably a cosy, historic, thatched-roof affair, from the time of Owain Glyndŵr, the last native Prince of Wales. Look no further than Llanddarog where The White Hart Inn has welcomed guests since 1371. Along with a blast from the past, you’ll get a taste of contemporary Wales, thanks to the entrepreneurial nous of the Coles family - inkeepers since 1994. Back in 1999, they established Coles Family Brewery, which has expanded to include an in-house distillery. Take your pick of award-winning ales, including the Coles Carmarthen Gold – or go for the SA32 Vodka or Cadogan 1791 Carmarthen Dark Rum. The ‘Cwrw Blasus’ says it all, as does the greeting at the door: ‘Croeso i’r Hydd Gwyn’. Ginhaus Deli

Y Polyn