Heavenly food at the Hawarden Brasserie Hideaway! (Hawarden Brasserie (Flintshire, Chester))

Member Name: kellylouj

Product:	Hawarden Brasserie (Flintshire, Chester)
Date:	30/10/06 (345 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great food, great atmosphere

Disadvantages: Book early as it is extremely popular

*~*Introduction*~*

As it is now very rare that I get to eat out now we have taken on a mortgage and saving for a wedding, I decided to opt for a Hi-Life card which offers 2 for 1 dining and this restaurant was our first choice.

Located at 68 The Highway, Hawarden the restaurant sits on a busy roadside location and looks a little disappointing from the outside with just a simple white building with half frosted glass windows and a simple sign advertising itself.

The restaurant is accessible from major road networks and is just a few minutes away from the busy A55 dual carriageway.

*~*Interior*~*

The restaurant is a lot different from its exterior. Modern decor that is both welcoming and warm to all its visitors. Light white walls with subtle spot lights throughout give a relaxing environment to have a meal. Wooden floors are throughout the restaurant it is fairly compact offering limited seating so reservations are strongly advised.
When we arrived at the hotel there was only one other party dining at the restaurant, however once we were seated guests slowly started to arrive and you could se that they had a full house.

The bar sits in the middle of the restaurant with the tables around the outsides.

The tables were simple but effective providing a comfortable dining experience. Chunky wooden tables are used throughout and are decorated simply with a glass tea light holder and cream napkins and a Hessian table runner.

*~*Service*~*

I cannot fault the service provided at this restaurant as the staff were attentive throughout ensuring that we were being well looked after, this definitely gave this restaurant a more individual and unique service that many restaurants simply fail to provide.
From the moment we entered the restaurant the service was exceptional; we were approached immediately and shown to our table where we were asked if we would like a drink whilst we browsed the extensive menu with exquisite dishes.

The young staff were supervised by two elder staff members that looked like the possible owners but all staff ensured that they approached us to check that their service was of a high standard.
The younger staff members and bar staff were dressed in black trousers and a black shirt and looked extremely professional.

*~*The Menu*~*

The menu has so many choices it was hard to decide however we decided to start with an appetizer of the Home baked bread which was served with Olive oil and Balsamic Vinegar and we were also offered butter in addition.
The bread was £1.95 and I found it a delicious item to begin with, other appetizers included Marinated Olives, Garlic Bread and Garlic Bread with Mozzarella which ranges up to £3.95.

There is a wide variety of starters including Duck, Haddock, Mushroom, Salmon and Soup ranging from £4.25 up to £5.95.
I opted for the best started in my opinion the Creamed Smoked Haddock and Leeks served with a poached egg on top a toasted english muffin at £5.50 and this was delicious, the food was so well presented anyone would think I was in a top London Restaurant no wonder this hotel is 1 of the top 100 restaurants in Wales!
My partner opted to have the Chicken Liver Parfait on bruschetta with Chilli Jam and Wild Rocket leaves and he said this was delicious not being one for his option I didn’t choose to sample it! Again the starter was the same price as my own and the presentation was fantastic.

The main course was a bit of a hard decision for me I just couldn’t make up my mind, should I have the Chicken with wild mushroom, the pork with cauliflower cream mash or the Rib eye steak on Lyonnaise Potatoes??? Decisions Decisions! I finally opted to go for a 10oz rib eye steak on Lyonnaise Potatoes with Slow roasted tomatoes with a mushroom and garlic cream sauce at £14.95 and Mark opted for Breast of Gressingham Duck with Roasted Aubergines filled with Gnocci, Bacon, Baby onions and spinach, Mascarpone and Thyme Sauce priced at £15.95.
My steak was served perfectly as I requested it Medium sometimes it can come a little well done but it was so delicious it just melted in the mouth, the potatoes were so dreamy and extremely tasty I just didn’t want the meal to come to an end it was delicious.
Mark also enjoyed his meal and the duck was served pink and he said it was an excellent meal and we had enjoyed the whole dining experience.

Main courses range from £9.95 up to £17.95 and offer a wide choice so there is something for everyone.

Side orders are also available as you would expect and Mark opted for a bowl of Home made chips at a cost of £2.50 and boy these were chunky chips!

For a look at their menu look on http://www.brasserie1016.com/hawarden/index.html

I cannot recommend this restaurant enough it felt cosy and exclusive and we both felt that we were treated as VIPs.

Drinks were reasonably priced I opted for a large glass of white wine at £2.95 a glass and there were lots of wine by the glass to choose from.

A fantasic hideaway

Summary: A cosy restaurant for a meal for 2