Cafes, Restaurants, Pubs & Takeaways

[Tom Davidson]

Y'see I didn't know that! Must have had a mind blank, fears allayed. 

[Bri Roberts]

There is still a taxi rank for several taxis right outside in Clarence Road.

That is the long yellow line you can see in today's press photograph.

[Tom Davidson]

Salt and Pepper in Llandudno has closed for the winter - they left an interesting note in the door

https://twitter.com/DPTomDavidson/status/797769203952549888

[Blongb]

Salt and Pepper in Llandudno has closed for the winter - they left an interesting note in the door

https://twitter.com/DPTomDavidson/status/797769203952549888

When the Fat Cat closed and the Lilly took its place, the new owners wouldn't pay the rent on the a joining building, which is owned by the Mediterranean, situated on the other side of Salt and Pepper.

[DaveR]

I'm looking forward to it a lot! I like Dylans in Menai (not been to the one in Criccieth) although I do think the menu is too big, it's massive!

I really hope it's a success. Obviously Dylans wanted the site on Conwy quay but it was rejected, I think the Washington is a great choice of venue.

Primark, Dylans, Providero... Llandundo really booming atm.

Dylans buying the Washington is great news, as Mr Fus was obviously never going to happen. I know Dylans will do a fantastic job of renovating the building and providing Llandudno with a few more quality eateries.  ££$

[DaveR]

Do we agree with the owners comments? I'm not sure that I do....


Llandudno at fast food 'saturation' point says restaurant owner forced to close for Christmas

BY OWEN HUGHES 17:26, 15 NOV 2016UPDATED17:26, 15 NOV 2016 BUSINESS

The owners of a restaurant and cafe in Llandudno say they have been forced to close for winter due to the town being “saturated” with cafes and fast food places.

Cindy and Ibrahim Atay have successfully run the Mediterranean restaurant for 24 years and the next door Salt and Pepper cafe for three years.

But they have closed up until next February with the initial sign on the door at Salt & Pepper blaming the opening of too many eating places dishing out “fast food, frozen food, and ready prepped meals”.

The sign added that a number of eating places have already gone bankrupt because of these places and they did not want to join them.

They said that for a business that makes everything fresh it is getting hard to compete outside of the main tourism season.

This was first time they had actually chosen to close for winter with the only previous occasion due to a serious illness.

Speaking to the Daily Post, Cindy said: “We had to make this hard decision because we can’t keep paying staff through winter when we can’t get enough people in to pay their wages.

“In the past we could last the winter but so many places have been allowed to open in the town in recent years that the market is saturated.

“There are now far too many eating places in Llandudno for a town of this size.

“It is okay in the summer when there are lots of tourists around but not this time of year.

“People want to try all these new places so this means less people to come here and because we prep everything from fresh it can mean a lot of food waste if we don’t get as many customers as we expect.

"A lot of these places use frozen food that is ready prepped so there is not the same waste.”

Cindy says that Trip Advisor now shows more than 140 eating places in the Llandudno area, compared to around 70 three years ago.

She added: “We are not happy with the council for allowing so many eating places to open in the town, it will just put other people out of business.

“This town is at saturation point, there are only so many eating places a town needs.”

She added: “We are disappointed for the staff but if we don’t take this hard decision then we could be the next ones going bust, which would be no good for anyone.

“We had to close the previous winter due to Ibrahim being ill but this time we just decided it was best for the business.”

Conwy council have been asked to comment.

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/llandudno-fast-food-saturation-point-12180656

[Fester]

Saturation point? Maybe.
But there aren't enough 'quality' places to eat.
My last visit to Mediterranean was about 6 out of 10,  so freshly cooked it maybe, but still doesn't reach the 'quality' bracket.

[SteveH]

As much as I sympathise with the towns established eateries, it is there responability to keep up to date with trends, it will be survival of the best business minds.

[Bosun]

Saturation point? Maybe.
But there aren't enough 'quality' places to eat.
My last visit to Mediterranean was about 6 out of 10,  so freshly cooked it maybe, but still doesn't reach the 'quality' bracket.

I totally agree, there are no 'quality' venues in Llandudno. Everything appears to be down to a price. Locally, we have eaten at Taly Cafin, (very good) Hayloft, (very poor for the price) Pen y Bryn (it's just good pub grub) and the Jai Ho (excellent) recently, and several places in Manchester and Liverpool, but we don't venture into Llandudno. We've found the Seahorse (that get's good reviews on here) to be mediocre and variable. and we are not tempted to try them again. Incidentally, we do think that the coffee shop at Waterstones does the best coffee in town.

Just a thought, do any of the hotels provide a really good quality dining experience that we don't know about? 

[Fester]

Saturation point? Maybe.
But there aren't enough 'quality' places to eat.
My last visit to Mediterranean was about 6 out of 10,  so freshly cooked it maybe, but still doesn't reach the 'quality' bracket.

I totally agree, there are no 'quality' venues in Llandudno. Everything appears to be down to a price. Locally, we have eaten at Taly Cafin, (very good) Hayloft, (very poor for the price) Pen y Bryn (it's just good pub grub) and the Jai Ho (excellent) recently, and several places in Manchester and Liverpool, but we don't venture into Llandudno. We've found the Seahorse (that get's good reviews on here) to be mediocre and variable. and we are not tempted to try them again. Incidentally, we do think that the coffee shop at Waterstones does the best coffee in town.

Just a thought, do any of the hotels provide a really good quality dining experience that we don't know about?

The food in The Dunoon is amazing....
But I'm not sure if it open to non residents.

[Nemesis]

They are open to non-residents and have a large A board advertising the fact outside. I imagine that it would be a good plan to ring and enquire first as they do a lot of evening events for the Rotary and similar.

[Hugo]

Bosun, have you tried the Signatures Restaurant on the Conwy Morfa?      I've always found the atmosphere and meals excellent and there are also discount offers if you are a member

[Fester]

They are open to non-residents and have a large A board advertising the fact outside. I imagine that it would be a good plan to ring and enquire first as they do a lot of evening events for the Rotary and similar.

Thanks Nem!

[Nemesis]

My pleasure !

[Bosun]

Bosun, have you tried the Signatures Restaurant on the Conwy Morfa?      I've always found the atmosphere and meals excellent and there are also discount offers if you are a member

Sorry Hugo for not replying sooner, we've been away for a day or so. No, we've not tried Signatures but will do so on your recommendation. We actually ate at a Thwaite's pub, the Millstone at Mellor in Lancashire. Although a 'chain' pub, the food was superb, some brilliant takes on standard dishes. I spoke to the head chef and he said that all the dishes were cooked from the basics and nothing was brought in pre-prepared. The prices were about average for good quality pub-grub so there doesn't seem to be a large cost implication, just the requirement for an application of skill and commitment, which certain premises locally could certainly benefit from.