COMMENTS MADE

• On Xtreme Organix:

  Posted on 27th of June 2007

  I highly recommend an Xtreme Organix Lamb burger – best I've ever had, meat was so tasty, garnish very fresh and a little drizzle of mint sauce to compliment the organic Lamb . . . hmm makes me want to go there now! Greg, Jane and staff do a wonderful job.

• On The Old Stables Tea Rooms:

  Posted on 26th of June 2007

  The following review appeared in Wye Local: It was a cold winters lunch time, my partner and I walked down Bear Street on our way to Hay-on-Wye’s best kept secret - The Old Stables Tea Rooms. On entering, it really was like stepping back in time, decorated with old memorabilia, from weighing scales to cake stands, from postcards to biscuit tins, but the main feature really was perfect for this nippy day - in the heart of the tea room was a open stone fireplace. It really was too much to take in all at once, so as my partner and I stood there admiring the decor we were politely greeted by Jo. Seated near the well stocked fire, just what my finger tips needed! Plenty of beverages were on offer along with freshly made sandwiches, homemade mains and a specials board which I was informed changed daily. I chose homemade red onion and brie quiche, and my partner chose locally homemade pork sausages and spring onion mash with caramelised red onion gravy, both dishes were from the specials board. My quiche was served with homemade coleslaw, new potatoes and plenty of salad garnish. My partners pork sausages came in a thick red wine and onion gravy, served with mash and veg. There was much oo-ing and ahing and trading of dishes, chef Mike Carnell, Chef on the Run, really had lived up to his famous reputation. The large range of homemade desserts was just irresistible, whilst we both tried to make our minds up, our concentration was steered to a neighbouring table, a lady was being served a giant toasted tea cake and we, like her did not know they literally meant giant, it was bigger than the plate! The whole of the tea room looked on with amusement. I opted for homemade scone with homemade jam and locally produced clotted cream, at a very reasonable price of only £1.75. My partner opted for the homemade, award winning chocolate fudge cake, the presentation would not have been out of place at the Savoy and it tasted as good as it looked. When speaking to proprietors Mike and Rachel they told me ‘We want to keep it as a tea room but a tea room with a difference. Serving quality homemade food at reasonable prices’. They really do make a good team, not only as husband and wife but also Mike being a superb chef and Rachel priding herself on the presentation of every dish that is served. They really are a recipe for success.