GASTRONOMY REVIEW: The Groes Inn, Hotel, and Restaurant. - Conwy, North Wales.

Situated on the main road, the B5106, a few miles south of Conwy, one comes across the oldest licensed pub in Wales. The proud Welsh flags flying outside are ragged and dirty, perhaps a warning to visitors that this establishment is not quite as tip top as it would have you believe.

In need of an evening meal (an horrific tail-back on the roads due to the bridge over the Conwy estuary being closed), we chose this place, since it was the first restaurant on our diverted route. It was that simple. However, had we known the area and the other places available, we would not have stopped here.

This place has pretentions of grandeur. My first surprise came when we walked in and asked for a table for two, and they asked me for my surname. I have never been asked for my name before when simply walking in without having previously made a booking. But the lady was most put out that I questioned her as to why she needed this information! We are passing-trade diners.

The second shock was the prices they were charging for what was essentially pub grub. An inn that was trying to be a Michelin-stared establishment without the requisite culinary skills and service. I lost count of how many members of staff attended our table throughout our dining experience. It was almost as though it was union controlled and only one person was allowed to serve each item...! The food was OK, just! A starter of scallops on a bed of crispy bacon arrived cold, and was served with a cold pea puree (yuck!); whilst the "fresh catch of the day" was proudly announced as salmon, and when it came it was a supermarket frozen steak, and one of the thinnest I have ever seen!

The tin lid however was on the staffs' table behind us, where there proudly stood two huge plastic catering bottles of brown sauce and ketchup, and the vinegar was served at the table in Sarson's bottles. If this restaurant truly was more upmarket and quality as it seemingly is trying to be, this was a faux-pas too far! And the prices....! best not to mention those!

Reviewer - Matthew Dougall