Wright’s Food Emporium
Destination There are places in Wales you simply have to visit to consider yourself a Welsh ‘bolgi’ or gourmand. Keep these foodie guides to hand, as these epicurean epicentres are surrounded by local gastro treasures. Book a weekend away, and make ‘bwyd a diod’ the highlight of your stay; let Lowri Haf Cooke guide you on the first of our taste.blas Welsh food pilgrimages...
Welsh Food Mecca: Wrights Food Emporium, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire After helping to establish Y Polyn as a Carmarthenshire gastro hot-spot, Simon and Maryann Wright (and family) created something different; today, Wright’s Food Emporium is a mecca for Welsh gourmands . You don’t need to be a food hipster, however, to enter the old Golden Grove – just bring an appetite for life and bold Welsh flavours . Originally based in Nantgaredig, this contemporary Welsh hybrid of cafe-deli-bar-restaurant crossed the Tywi to Llanarthne in 2015. Located just a stone’s throw from the National Botanic Garden of Wales, it shines a similar light on local, seasonal produce. To your left, as you step inside, you’ll find a tableful of cakes, including meringues – served with seasonal fruit - as big as your plate. To your right, gaze above at the daily blackboard – the Rarebit (with or without ’nduja spicy sausage) is a classic, as is the Pork Belly Cubano, both available all year round. But savour those seasonal ‘shooting star’ ingredients – blink, and you
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really might miss them – such as coracle caught sewin from the Tywi. Take a walk through the deli – stock up on Batch 62 Single Botanical Juniper Organic gin from Talog, to the west of Cynwyl Elfed. Or wander into the bar, and take your pick from Welsh ales – Tomos & Ilford from Glamorgan, Loka Polly from Mold, or Seren from Clunderwen.There’s also a variety of natural European wines – also available in Wright’s Wines in Cardiff ’s Castle Arcade. Out back there’s a pleasant sun-trap to while away the hours; grab a book from the extensive foodie library, and savour over Hard Lines coffee from Cardiff, or James Gourmet, roasted in Ross on Wye. Request a bottle of catsup with your meal – it’s plastered with Castro, the family’s three-legged cat. Once a feature in the cafe, he’s now retired upstairs, only rarely heard meowing for his supper. Amongst the friendly foodie chatter, Castro’s spirit is still strong, welcoming all to this Welsh food community that’s like a home away from home. Wright’s Food Emporium, The Golden Grove, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire SA32 8JU; tel: 01558 668929
