The Chandlery

Food

We started with a very small serving of bread with butter and a tomato chutney, which was very pleasant. I ordered the house red, which was the Aresti Montemar 2065 Merlot, Curico Valley, Chile. My 175ml glass was certainly very generous. The entrees were quite boring, so we skipped them in favour of dessert. After driving through the countryside, I was hankering for lamb, and the Loin of Welsh Mountain Lamb (£15.95) - Lamb and potato torte, cumin infused swede, rosemary jus delivered. The cutlet was really tender, but didn’t have that much "lamb" taste or smell. The potato torte was excellent with melt in the mouth lamb. The 8oz Welsh Sirloin Steak (£16.95) - Tomato, mushroom and green salad with a choice of chips, new potatoes or mash potato didn’t really need the Green Peppercorn Sauce (£1.95), but we didn’t know that when we ordered. The steak was succulent, and definitely had a "beef" taste. The mash was well done. We also got to try some chips, which were fat and crunchy.

The Banoffi Tart (£4.95) - Banana, toffee, fresh Jersey cream and shaved chocolate was definitely unlike the ones I get from the canteen. For once, there’s fresh banana, and not any custard in site. I found the whole thing a bit too sweet as the banana itself was already very sweet, but the cream was very nice. For the Selection of Handmade Ice Creams and Sorbets (£4.95) , the sorbets were certainly more interesting. Out of berries, orange and yoghurt, and tangy sweetness of the yoghurt wins hands down.

Rating - 7

Atmosphere

The place was much bigger than I thought, the clientele is varied, from older couples to what looks like a group celebrating a 21st. The setting is like an upper class family restaurant, no fancy cutlery or tablecloth, but everything is nice, with some side table ornaments, fake fireplace, floral arrangements and the likes.

Rating - 1.5

Service

The waiters were quite friendly and efficient. The restaurant wasn’t full so they handled things well.

Rating - 3.5

C-factor

Prices are very good for the quality of the cooking, but then again, things are cheaper in Wales.

Rating - 1.5

Brownie Points - 13.5

Info

Lower Dock Street
Newport
NP20 1EH
Phone +44 (0)16 3325 6622
Website