1 x taxi that didn’t turn up.
1 x train that stopped after 10 minutes and chucked everyone off because of flooding.
1 x taxi that broke down on the hard shoulder.
1 x cancelled train.
1 x lovely man from Machynlleth called Huw.
That’s how we spent our first wedding anniversary getting to Wales. Well, that’s how it started anyway, you can read more about the journey at TransportyBoys.com (don’t click that link it has the potential to be muck).
In a room nursing a restorative negroni, a chef came over and provided us a bowl of duck broth. If I thought the negroni was improving my mood this made me forget trains even existed.
And so began, the best meal I’ve ever had.
Everything about our trip to Ynyshir was perfect. The venue is beautiful, our room was lovely, the wine (shout out to the delightful Rory) was fantastic and the food blew my little cock off.
Anyone who has seen my gut will know that I’ve had a few tasting menus in my time, and many of them have been really good. Normally, I find, in a 8/9 course situation you’re probably looking at a couple of dishes that you’re at best indifferent to.
This was 22 courses and I loved every single one of them.
From the Not French Onion soup to the Welsh Wagyu Fudge it just kept getting better.
The next day we were trying to decide which course was our favourite and it was actually impossible.
If I was pushed, I’d say the Chicken Katsu, chilli crab, hoisin duck, char siu pork, grouse, sticky toffee pudding and tiramisu all stood out.
All that, and I haven’t even mentioned the three Wagyu courses. Having never eaten this type of beef before I wasn’t sure what to expect, and I’m not sure I’ll bother eating it anywhere else.
A burger was first up – the level of fat in it meant it dissolved in my mouth and resulted in me making strange noises. The second one ‘raw’ was covered in caviar and made me scream with joy, then the rib made me actually ejaculate.
There’s not much else for me to say, it was a perfect meal, you finished and felt like you’d just had something really special.
The next morning, a breakfast of crumpets, salmon, bacon and eggs was made even better by having a chat with Gareth as he prepped for an event that night.
I can’t think of a more perfect way to spend our first wedding anniversary. Next time you’ve got something to celebrate – get yourself there.
I’ve used the word perfect a few times here haven’t I? Have another one:
Perfect.
Foodie Boys 