Powys
Tower

Tower

Lake Vyrnwy, Powys, United Kingdom

Soup • Steak • Cheese • Salads


"We live in mid Wales and so were able to go to the Tower Restaurant for lunch during the English lockdown. We contacted the hotel beforehand because we were going to have my elderly and quite immobile mother in law with us, and they were helpful with guidance as to level entry to the building etc. On arrival we were asked to stand in front of a wall mounted thermometer and be temperature checked before proceeding to the dining room. Furniture had been rearranged to accommodate social distancing, staff all wore masks or shields and there were plenty of notices to remind guests about the importance of social distancing, washing hands etc. The Tavern Bistro was not open for lunches when we visited, but the lunch menu, sandwich menu and afternoon tea menu were all available within the Tower Restaurant. Stretching for quite a length along the front of the building, the restaurant has simply stunning views over the lake and we were lucky enough to be placed at a table which made the very best of the views. The menu is quite compact at the moment, but there is a good choice for all tastes. My mother in law has a small appetite and so was happy to choose a couple of dishes from the Tapas menu, sweet potato fries and tempura battered prawns, which she is still talking about weeks later. My other half and I both went for main dishes Stroganoff Linguine Pasta and Braised Venison with Mashed Potato and Red Cabbage, both of which were delicious, good hearty food with excellent ingredients and very filling, as good quality good so often is. Being so full, we didn't have a second course but, on ordering coffees, which we took sitting on sofas in front of a roaring log fire, we each had a home made shortbread biscuit on our saucer a nice touch. It is all too easy, during this most unusual of years, to think that we have we are missing out on travel and leisure opportunities, whilst overlooking that there is so much right here on our doorstep; excellent establishments serving good food with friendly and professional service, who need us to be supporting them. The Tower Restaurant and the Lake Vyrnwy Hotel are situated in an idyllic spot, a drive to get there, yes; but a Welsh hills and valleys drive, which will soothe your soul and have you relaxed and chilled by the time you arrive. The three of us ate with two main courses, two tapas dishes, three large premium ciders and three coffees and our bill came to around £60. The service was professional and friendly, unrushed and the environment was picturesque and super relaxing. We would highly recommend a visit."

Mount Inn

Mount Inn

China Street, SY18 6AB, Powys, United Kingdom

Pub • Pubs • Cafés • Lunch


"arrived for a 3 night stay on Monday 9th August. Already knew we couldn 't book in until 5.30 due to extra covid cleaning but did not realise the pub doesn 't open until 5pm on a monday so as it was raining we sat in the car in the pub car park until the owners arrived. When they did we were promptly asked to move our car as it was in a nearby neighbours parking spot, in a pub car park clearly sign posted for customer use only . we were however given our keys to our room early and grabbed our bags and entered through the door at the back of the pub to be greeted with the smell of damp, some 1970s lino and curtains hanging off the rail. we went upstairs to our room and just stood and looked around in dismay. it was awful. you expect old as in sloping floors ect in such an historic building but it was just awful. not enough room to swing a cat. one of the two wall lights hanging off. the smallest en-suite i have ever seen but to be honest we would have coped with that but it was the filth everywhere . dirt and dust thick on everything. light fittings, tv, windowsill, even the kettle. there was scum around the bathroom taps, the shower seal was black and the wallpaper was peeling off. considering the place was having extra covid cleaning i was stunned. £75 a night for that. We took a walk down the high street and managed to get rooms elsewhere and returned to collect our things and gave the keys back, happy for them to keep the deposit as in the small print for cancellation but it has been paid back to me."

The Tuck Box Takeaway And Cafe

The Tuck Box Takeaway And Cafe

Hall Street, SY21 7RY, Powys, United Kingdom

Cafe • Cafés • Vegan • Vegetarian


"I don't plan on returning to this restaurant. I stopped by earlier this morning and ordered a cup of tea and a prawn salad. However, after the first few prawns, I had doubts about their freshness. I decided to continue eating the salad, but as I had a few more prawns, their chewy texture and bad aftertaste made me realize they were not up to my expectations. (I still have that aftertaste) I finished the rest of the food without causing a fuss. When my plate was cleared, I discreetly mentioned the issue to the lady, but she quickly brushed it off by insisting that they were freshly prepared that morning. I expressed my concern again, but received the same response. I waited for about 10 minutes for a manager to address my issue, but no one came, so I proceeded to pay. I reiterated my concern to the lady at the till, but once again, I was told the prawns were freshly prepared that morning. I explained that just because something was prepared that day, doesn't guarantee freshness, especially with fish. I also mentioned that I eat prawns regularly and wouldn't have left them if they were okay. Still, the manager was not called over. I paid and left, being told to 'have a nice day'. My concern was not raised to a manager as far as I know. I realize I should have insisted on speaking with a manager, but if the staff are not willing to escalate issues themselves, there seems to be a management problem. Constructive feedback is important for businesses to thrive. I don't want to create any problems, and I am not one to speak poorly of a decent business. However, the prawns tasted off, and my comments were not taken seriously when I brought them up."

The Sarn

The Sarn

The A489, SY16 4EJ, Powys, United Kingdom

Pub • Steak • Vegan • British


"We were travelling as two couples and we called in here for lunch as the only place we could find that was open. The place is clean and bright and tables are well spaced. We were seated quickly but sadly the service was then pretty poor. The lady serving us said she was just helping out fair enough but she did not know what wine they had and there was no drinks menu so we had no idea of prices etc.. Eventually I went up to the bar to find out what was available and ordered a house red, but still no indication of price. We gave our orders after short delay but nearly an hour after we had arrived we still had no food. Other tables who had arrived after us were being served. When we eventually asked where our food was, we were told that the other tables were eating salads so it was quicker for them . However, at least one of the diners on the next table had fish and chips and cooked dishes were being served on the other tables too. It was clear that either our inexperienced waitress had not put our order in or the kitchen had overlooked it. Of course these things happen and we would have understood if they had been honest, but to try and fob us off was very disappointing. When the food came, the prawn cocktail was delicious and very good value. The steak sandwich was OK but sat on a slice of dry white sliced bread not what you would expect at £13.95. The other two dishes were Rik 's hot dawgs which sounded very substantial and tempting for our hungry husbands. Sadly the single sausage was very small, the size you would get on a children 's menu. The dish was hugely overpriced at £10.95. So, with one exception, disappointing and overpriced food, poor service and an hour 's wait for food. So, we won 't be back!!"

Horseshoe Inn

Horseshoe Inn

Welshpool Rd, SY21 8AW, Powys, United Kingdom

Cafés • Steak • Pizza • British


"Booked for first time Sunday lunch for myself and my disabled mum who is in her 70s. We arrived and were seen by a male waiter who informed us our table wasn't yet ready which was fine but we were informed there was nowhere to sit inside with a drink whilst we waited. There were two empty tables by the bar so we presumed these were booked for diners about to arrive. We were told we could sit outside but this wasn't suitable for my mum so we sat in the car. We went back 15 minutes later and the table still wasn't ready. We were informed the diners using our booked table were getting ready to pay and the table would be cleaned soon. The one table however which had been empty , had a couple who arrived after us , sitting having drinks and were then taken through to eat ? My mum cannot stand up for long at all but a female waitress did notice her struggle and she was kind enough to fetch mum a chair. We waited 20 minutes until the table was free which wasn't a great start. However the service from the female staff was exceptionally prompt and friendly and our mushroom starters arrived quickly and were delicious. I had a roast dinner , mum had salmon. Part of my food wasn't all hot but i am not too bothered and I enjoyed mine. Most of mums was tepid and although staff checked if our meals were okay we didn't feel we wanted to say anything. They didn't have any cheesecake left for dessert so I didn't have anything else but mum's lemon meringue she said was lovely. So all in all a mixed review with some parts better than others and one we left unsure if we would rush to go back."