miss b loves.........a weekend in Wales with a French twist!( Part 1)

A weekend in Montgomery, Wales ..... with a French twist, was the perfect way to celebrate our wedding anniversary a couple of weeks ago.

Montgomery is steeped in history having been fought over in the past by the English and the Welsh. Close to the Shropshire border, it's a picturesque Georgian town which has retained an unspoilt feel. 

The imposing Town Hall  dates from the 18th century.

We were initially attracted to Montgomery as it is home to The Checkers, one of only three Michelin starred restaurants in Wales. It's run by  'The Frenchman and the Farmers' Daughters'

'The Frenchman', Chef Proprietor, Stéphane Borie trained and worked with Michel Roux at the Waterside Inn for seven years, later moving to Raymond Blanc's Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons.

Sarah and Kathryn are 'The Farmers' Daughters' and grew up on a dairy farm. Sarah, also an accomplished chef and Stéphane's partner, met at the Waterside Inn where she was the first woman to work on all sections. Kathryn runs front of house and shares their love of good food.

This is a 'restaurant with rooms' ....just five with French names rather than numbers and we had chosen Le Petit Jardin... so tastefully decorated.

Fresh ground coffee, home-made cookies and L'Occitane toiletries were a welcome touch too.....

It was time for a stroll around the town ....

Bunners is one of the UK's oldest traditional ironmongers dating from 1892, an Aladdin's cave crammed with just about everything for the home and garden ....

Even the Spar convenience store is attractive in Montgomery!

I'd read great reviews about the Castle Kitchen....

.... and they were accurate! Our light lunch was impressive ...... perfect traditional Welsh rarebit (which is a kind of very posh cheese on toast!) made here with Monty's beer from the local brewery and cheese from the Castle Kitchen deli.....  

This was followed by a scrummy quince and apple frangipane tart from the 'today's specials board'....

After lunch we walked up to see the ruins of the medieval Montgomery Castle built in 1223 during the reign of Henry III. 

Lovely views from the castle even on a very dull, wet day!

Bilingual signs were another reminder that we were in Wales!

We'd certainly worked up an appetite for our very special dinner back at The Checkers .....

Perfect from start to finish .....from the delicate melt-in-the mouth canapés to the butternut squash velouté with curried cream and toasted almonds ... but the main courses were the highlight with rich intense flavours.......

Poached Dover sole with smoked salmon mousse,
Jerusalem artichoke purée and Champagne sauce

Grilled wild boar with chervil root, savoy cabbage,
 figs and thyme-infused jus 

Impressive food, presentation and service....faultless, a restaurant without doubt worthy of its Michelin star and my dessert is one that I shall remember for quite some time.......

Sablée of poached pear, Poire William sabayon
and blackberry coulis

Please join me next time for Part 2 ...... Sunday in Wales with a few more French touches.....