Latest review:
We have just returned from West Wales where we enjoyed one of the best dining experiences we have ever had, at Annwn in Narbeth, Pembrokeshire.
You could easily walk by the white house in the centre of Narbeth without a whisper of the genius that lies inside, but once in the door, you won't want to miss a thing. The space is light and airy, and exclusive. When we dined, there were just seven guests - Annwn deliberately caters for a limited number of people each night that it is open (currently Thursday to Sunday). Matt and Naomi invite each of their guests to feel part of the experience. Every table faces the open kitchen so that diners can see the alchemy that takes place. As a result, you also get a clear understanding of how much care, thought, preparation and love goes into each dish.
There is a set menu (although Matt was happy to cater for my non-meat eating dietary requirements), which comprised twelve courses when we dined there. Each features local produce, either foraged for and grown by Matt and Naomi or sourced from local producers - and you can taste the freshness of these ingredients. But it is what Matt does with these ingredients that makes it all such a magical experience. Seaweeds, seeds, leaves and coastal plants play an integral role. The combinations are unusual and inspiring, cleverly put together to showcase the local fish, lamb, oysters, cheese, vegetables.
This is exceptional food. Here lies creativity, passion, craftsmanship and the obviously genuine desire that Matt and Naomi have to share their knowledge and love of the food they source and prepare. Once a course is served, Matt goes to each table in turn to explain the ingredients and how they were prepared, so that you can savour the flavour combinations all the more. We particularly enjoyed the 'Wild garlic preserved in its cycle', the 'tatws a winwns' (potato, onion and onion sauce), the 'pelydr draenen' (thornback ray, spider crab, laver, crab sauce), the 'afal gwyllt' (fermented crab apple ice) and the 'sopas "mead so sweet"' (meadowsweet cheese curd, Boulston honey).
The wine menu includes local Welsh wines; the white we tried was light and refreshing and lasted us the whole evening, which runs from 7.30pm to 11.30pm. Savour every moment - such a dining experience is a rare privilege.
