Puns aside, this is a pretty decent menu. You might be converted. (See what I did there..? STOP IT. STOP IT NOW.) There will, as a result, be no rugby related puns or allusions in the following.
Many of the more prominent rugby nations are represented here: an English meat pie, an Italian pizza, a spatchcocked kiwi. (Some details may be sketchy...) The lack of a definitively 'Welsh' dish is part of a bigger discussion (is there one plate of food which strikes that chord of instant unique recognition, I wonder?)
A batch of ribs was remarkably tender with a hearty kick of spice, the kind of stealthy spicing that builds and builds to leave your lips and that bit under your tongue (medical term, that) tingling for several minutes.
The sizeable chunks of slow cooked beef in the beef bourgignon were similarly impressive, accompoanied by a well-seasoned and perfectly smooth mash and mushrooms with some bite left in them- always a good thing.
A pulled pork roll was groaning with sticky meat: rather than having all the life shredded out of it, there were chunks among the strands, slathered with a richly smoky BBQ sauce. An unexpected bonus was the coleslaw- no casual afterthought, this- with apple and fennel which sealed the deal.
If you fancied an alternative to a packed pub on a match day and wanted a good bar meal as the play unfolded, this would be a great bet. The pricing is steep, but if you're a guest spending £200 plus a night for a room that's likely to be less of an issue.
The sizeable chunks of slow cooked beef in the beef bourgignon were similarly impressive, accompoanied by a well-seasoned and perfectly smooth mash and mushrooms with some bite left in them- always a good thing.
A pulled pork roll was groaning with sticky meat: rather than having all the life shredded out of it, there were chunks among the strands, slathered with a richly smoky BBQ sauce. An unexpected bonus was the coleslaw- no casual afterthought, this- with apple and fennel which sealed the deal.
The boerewors was a hearty, herby coarse-ground beast in a soft roll, slathered in braised onions and finished under the grill for a slightly crusty topping.
A steak pie in rich gravy is a thing of beauty forever, and this did not disappoint. Served with a smooth mash and containing big chunks of meat, this ticked all the boxes : a proper shortcrust lid and a base that got nicely soggy with gravy (good thing) but kept its form and didn't collapse (good thing no.2).
To conclude, a highlight: the chimichurri roll, with thickly sliced medium-rare beef in a baguette, the vivid sauce served on the side with a portion of crispy onions. The dressing itself was slightly heavier on the oil than I prefer, but this is a minor quibble.
If you fancied an alternative to a packed pub on a match day and wanted a good bar meal as the play unfolded, this would be a great bet. The pricing is steep, but if you're a guest spending £200 plus a night for a room that's likely to be less of an issue.
Non-drinkers will enjoy the 'mocktails' the bar staff have come up with. Orange juicegrenadinegommesyruppineapplepuréestrawberrypuréecranberry juice rolled off the barman's tongue (not literally. That would be awful) but were undeniably impressive.
Their take on a Brandy Alexander is worth mentioning, too: Coffee cream milk chocolate syrup and single espressos combine. An alternative to alcohol which has had a bit of thought applied to it can only be a good thing.
I was driving, so unable to do the beer list any justice, but a Monteith's Pale Ale caught the eye. After ploughing through so much of the menu we were left feeling a little like Mike Catt after a rampaging Lomu had made him his welcome mat (damn it, almost made it, too...) but were rather impressed by what The Hilton has to offer.
Well worth a (*click*).
Disclosure: all food and drink was provided free of charge.
Well worth a (*click*).
Disclosure: all food and drink was provided free of charge.
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