EVER since the reopening of Wrexham's popular Croes Howell, I've been eager to go down, see the refurbishment and try out their new menu.
New management team Richard Watkin, director of the Fat Boar, and Wrexham AFC's Jordan Davies, re-launched the traditional country bar and restaurant in April this year after it's shock closure back in December 2023.
On a glorious sunny evening in June, there's almost nothing better than sitting in a well-kept beer garden with an iced-cold beverage.
I was impressed by the spacious outdoor seating area, with a mixture of high chairs along the patio and family tables on the lawn.
On Wednesday and Thursday, the venue has a 'Steak Club' offer available, drawing customers in for a mid-week treat.
For £20, you get an 8oz Welsh rib-eye steak, sauce, parmesan chips and a free drink (alcoholic and non-alcoholic available). I also added the recommended 'Salt and Pepper Halloumi Fries' from their tempting list of starters.
The food took approximately 30-minutes to arrive on a semi-busy weekday evening, a wait worth it for the quality of the meal and value for money.
The starter was simple yet tasty, enhanced by the sweet chilli sauce. A firm favourite for many customers.
For the main event, my go-to steak is always medium-rare, a preference that leaves me disappointed more often than not. However, on this occasion, that's exactly what I got. The meat was tender, well-cooked and seasoned with a hint of garlic butter, and a little on the fattier side as you'd expect for this type of cut.
The side of chips were crispy, and while the parmesan slices looked slightly out of place, they certainly added a complimentary flavour. The mushroom and grilled tomato were also great additions, including the bed of salad which was beautifully fresh.
Overall, the meal was comforting, tasted homemade and was well-presented, despite being different to the restaurant's promotional images used on social media.
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The weekly deals are great money for value if you're looking to treat yourself and others. I was also impressed by the newly refurbished interior - spacious, inviting and clean, and not to mention the friendliness of the staff which was wonderful.
Bonus points go to there being a 'help yourself' water station on the patio and bowls for your fury friends, a must for the summer months in particular. There was also a selection of games for children to use, as well as a designated play area outdoors.
The Croes Howell was a pleasant experience and left me curious about their other specials and customer favourites. A fantastic place to visit to enjoy great food and great company out in the sunshine.
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