Fans of Gareth Ward's award-winning restaurant Ynyshir get excited because the opening date for the chef's next culinary venture has been announced - and it's sooner than you think.
Gwen, named after his mother, is set to open its doors on Wednesday, March 29, and promises to be an intimate wine bar and restaurant in the market town of Machynlleth. And while Gareth will be the owner of the establishment, he won't be the one whipping up a storm in the kitchen, instead that job will be for Ynyshir chef Corrin Harrison.
As reported previously, the restaurant will have space for just eight covers and will serve up a 10-course menu but one element that'll no doubt have customers queuing to book is that it will be more affordable than the £350 diners pay at Ynyshir - which last year was recognised as the UK's Best Restaurant.
Read more: The Swansea restaurant rated top on Tripadvisor where Giles Coren says the meatballs are 'historic'
For a meal, it'll be around £100 a head at Gwen and despite Gareth handing over the reign to Corrin, he explained how Gwen is "100% Ynyshir DNA". He told The Times' Damian Whitworth: " I haven’t given him menus. I want to taste Corrin’s food."
Customers can expect a small wine bar offering craft beers alongside wine from all over the world as well as a 'snack menu'. In the back of the site, foodies can find an intimate "open kitchen communal dining experience offering a tasting menu".
Announcing the news on Instagram, a post on Gwen's own page read: "Wednesday 29th March - Gwen wine bar officially opens! Drop in for a glass and some food".
Gareth Ward previously explained how the restaurant won't be entirely seperate from his flagship, which has been awarded two Michelin stars in the time since he took over a deacde ago, but said: "It will be the same kind of concept as Ynyshir but more for the locals."
In a mock up drawing of the restaurant on Gwen's Instagram account, followers saw how its plans included space for it to be a "Restaurant - Wine Bar - Off-License [sic]" , and gave a sneak peek at one of the desserts it would be trying out: sourdough ice cream with miso caramel and white chocolate.
Gwen is set to open on Wednesday, March 29 and will open between Wednesdays and Saturdays.
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