Square Meal on the Square

What's happened to our restaurants? We're somewhat bereft. The impact this is having on the town is palpable. You used to be able to enjoy a decent lunch in town. It brought people in. If people cannot now do so in a bistro of reasonable standards, fewer will bother to visit the town. This will impact on other shops and services. 

And that's before you consider inflation across the food sector that will see this Christmas' menus at over £30 per head.

Window notice in The Fat Boar this week

The latest to close is the Fat Boar. They say it's only temporary. Yet, they've only recently opened. They blame staff (probably the lack of a chef). I do wonder about the general feeling hanging over the Fat Boar. There are decidedly mixed reviews for high-end pricing. Some seem OK with it, others not. After the initial interest, bookings appear to have dropped. Indifferent service and indifferent food, it's said (by some). The trouble with the Fat Boar is that it isn't On the Hill. The 1/5 hygiene rating doesn't help.

10 day closure at Small Plates. As ever, there are the usual 'Please Notes'. Small Plates always seems to issue commands and instructions, just like On the Hill used to

Almost adjacent is Small Plates. They've shut for their holidays. The message is that August isn't worth opening for. But at least we know they'll be back. Yet, Small Plates' hygiene rating is only one better than at the Fat Boar.

The Myddelton closed earlier this year, in early summer. This was dining in our finest restaurant environment. But no longer. Another gap on the Square. 

Tafarn y Ddraig at Ruthin Castle has enjoyed a boost this summer, thanks to visitors to the hotel but otherwise doesn't have the reputation you'd expect from a four-star hotel. Assuming the Castle still attains four stars. As for hygiene, forget it. They scored zero. 

Wetherspoon's continues but it's hardly haute cuisine and won't win any awards. The very good news is that it's hygiene rating is the highest. You'd expect nothing else. 

And that's your lot. There is, of course, Panda Garden and Himalaya but without disrespecting any of these this post is about 'ordinary' restaurants rather than specialist Chinese or Indian cuisine.  

Your safest bet these days is to go out of town. The Nant y Felin, Pentre Llanrhaeadr, is now the best in the area. When we were there earlier this month, the place was packed and there were at least three large tables of five or more from Rhuthun/Ruthin, including seven people who arrived by taxi.