Ploughman’s Lunch at Colby Woodland Garden Tea-room | Ystafell De Reviewed
Location –
Colby Woodland Garden,
near Amroth,
Pembrokeshire,
SA67 8PP
01646623110
Website – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/colby-woodland-garden
The Food
Note: A slight cheat here, this wasn’t called a ploughman’s, however, it has all the qualities. It was a cheese and ham Salad.
Date of Visit – 28/09/2017
6 – Pickled Onion. Argh – there was no pickled onion, but then it wasn’t called a ploughman’s. I have been caught out by my criteria here, and that is a shame because it was outstanding. I will cheat – there was onion in the salad, and it had a dressing upon it, and that contained vinegar. I have to say, this is more welcome than some of the mouth-dissolving disappointments of onions I have had in the past.
10 – Pickle. Top top homemade Piccalilli. Ohh, it was very nice and perfect with the cheese and ham!
10 – Cheese / Ham. Look at it! Just look. The ham was home-cooked and from Wales, tasty in vast quantity. I opted for the salad as I wanted something lighter (on reduced rations at the moment) but ended up with this. The cheese too was a lovely Welsh Cheddar and supplied in ample quantity.
10 – Bread. I was in bread heaven! Local bread and dangerously fresh. Soft on the inside, and yet nice and crusty on the outer, a real “bready” flavour to it. Yum!
5 – Spread (better be butter or a choice). Butter, butter, butter – tasty and soft to spread. Top marks.
3 – Presentation. A slight slip in the presentation. Who cares, it’s a rustic dish produced by talented and passionate cooks. Hats off to the National Trust tea rooms (if I had more time, guess what else I would review). I feel mean giving it only a 3.
5 – Salad, etc. Top salad, fresh, tasty and just the right amount of dressing – not dry, not going for a swim.
4 – Originality. Hmmm. Couscous is not a favourite of mine, to be honest. Whilst it has no place on a ploughman’s, this is officially a salad. Perhaps a bit too much Carb with the bread, but it was actually very nice! Oh, there was a tip-top coleslaw on there too. Yum.
Food Total: 53
Beverages
10 – Tea. It was amazing. Plenty of milk, Lots in the pot, spare water, tasty, hot refreshing, ace. Local apple juice and other delights are available too.
Drinks Total: 10
The venue
8 – Service. A tad slow, but it was sort of the wrong time of day (i.e. 1 PM when everyone decides its lunch time) and towards the end of the season, but really rather good all considered. It’s a beautiful location, so no complaints.
8 – Atmosphere. Very pleasant, and relaxed. Might be a bit different in the height of summer, though.
5 – Location. Top location. Beautiful in every way.
3 – Toilets. an unusual slip from the National Trust here – the sink was broken and suggested hand washing in the sink in the disabled toilets. Not a terribly practical solution, but I suspect only temporary.
Venue total: 24
Total Score: 87
Editors Note: I highly recommend visiting, The gardens are stunning any time of year, and the woodlands are delightful. I would highly recommend visiting Pembrokeshire too especially if you have never been – it is quite beautiful.
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