Bar and restaurant that lives up to its reputation

Straight Mile, Rossett, Llay,

Tel: 01244 570570

Website: www.croeshowell.com

It has been a few years since we last went to the Croes Howell Bar and Restaurant on the Straightmile, near Llay, and since then it has gained new owners.

The restaurant offers an open kitchen, where you can see the chefs at work and enjoy stunning views across Rossett, Chester and beyond.

It is a local family-owned 17th century restaurant, independent of large chains and prides itself on being a family friendly place for all to enjoy, in between Wrexham and Chester.

Its website boasts that it has a "brand new team of energetic and enthusiastic staff, the menus, fresh off the press, fully compliment four amazing seasons that beautiful Wales has to offer. Constantly evolving to ‘mirror’ the amazing views just metres from your seats".

It was a cheeky mid-week tea that we were after. Both of us could not face the previous night's leftover lasagne, so we decided to take advantage of the mild weather and venture out.

Upon arrival we had a lovely welcome from the staff and were taken to our table.

Eating out - Wrexham: Bistro menu leaves you spilt for choice

The setting is lovely, with stunning views, and it was great to see children taking advantage of the good weather and playing outside.

Drinks orders were taken, a pint of Madri (£5.50) and a lime and soda, (£3.50) and we then had a decision to make.

The menu is varied and certainly offers something for everyone.

Starters include homemade soup of the day, bread and butter; ham hock & Caerphilly cheese terrine, crispy egg, smoked tomato chutney;

Welsh rarebit, smoked tomato, to name but a few.

The mains offered up roast chicken breast, braised peas, onions, pancetta, baby gem lettuce; beer battered haddock, chunky chips, mushy peas, tartar sauce, lemon; beer battered halloumi, chunky chips, mushy peas, tartar sauce, lemon; roast sea bass, new potatoes, tomato, chilli, olives, fresh herbs, lemon butter; butter chicken curry, pilaf rice, flatbread.

There is also a light bites section, which is available from noon-5pm.

Eating out - Flintshire: Bigger is better at award-winning BBQ restaurant

After much consideration my partner opted for the grilled sardines, tomato, feta and mint bruschetta (£8.50) from the starters section of the menu, with a side order of chunky chips, while I went for the root vegetable curry, chickpeas, spinach, pilaf rice, flatbread, mint yoghurt (£13.50).

More often than not I tend to pick one of the vegetarian options on the menu, and sometimes choosing curry when you are not in an actual curry house is a gamble but not on this occasion.

With age I have discovered my taste buds have become more tolerant to spice, so I was thrilled when I tucked into my veg curry and discovered it was a spice sensation. The mint yoghurt was needed but was a perfect addition to a flavoursome meal. And as for portion size - amazing.

My partner could not get over the size of his portion of sardines also, which was really a starter. His plate was piled high and he said the sardines were delicious and were complimented well by the feta and mint. He also loved his chunky chips and ever the gentleman he did let me have a couple!

I would say the portion sizes are very generous and for once I was unable to clear my plate. I noticed the couple next to us, who shared some breads, could not manage their mammoth portions either, with the waitress kindly offering to box up what they had left for them to take home.

There was no room for dessert but the menu did look tantalising with strawberry posset but we were just too full.

The service we received from the staff during our visit was great and they certainly lived up to being 'energetic and enthusiastic' and it was wonderful to see the place so busy, despite it being early evening on a Wednesday but then it was still half term.

We will certainly be returning to the Croes Howell and can't wait for even warmer weather to enjoy their outdoor seating and those amazing views.