Harden's survey result
Summary
“An awesome set up” – “more accessible than Ynshir, but equally inspirational and worth the drive to mid-Wales” – practically all of the growing number of reports on Gareth Ward’s spin-off from his nearby mothership, are a heartfelt shout-out to this wine bar/restaurant (named after his mother) in a historic but somewhat remote and undiscovered, mid-Wales market town. Only 3m wide, there’s a drop-in wine bar up front, but if you stray behind the curtain at the back, you’re in for £135 per person for a ten-course meal, served in a single sitting by chef Corrin Harrison to eight diners at a time grouped around the open kitchen. It’s “so much fun and a perfect blend of top quality and enjoyment”… “Love it: tiny… intimate… unforgettable!”
Summary
“It‘s a dark little dining room, with eight covers all sat around one high table, and an open kitchen with open flames at the end” at this “small and personal” spin-off from the team at Gareth Ward’s nearby Ynyshir: a wine bar/restaurant named after his mother in this nearby un-touristy Welsh market town. Launched too late for feedback in last year’s guide, this year’s reports carry little but superlatives. “It’s a stunning little location and so intimate with the chef and staff”. The tasting menu offers 10 courses for £135 per person: “bursting with big flavours and inventive cooking” (“BBQ pork jowl with jalapeno sauce was outstanding”). “You need to be ready to get to know your neighbours though!”
Summary
Fully open in May 2023, as our annual diners’ poll concluded, this wine bar / restaurant – a "little sister to Ynyshir", named after Gareth Ward’s mother – offers a more affordable destination in this un-touristy Welsh market town, but offers many of the same ingredients as its famous elder sibling; and uses similar preparation techniques. Head chef Corrin Harrison cooks 10-course meals for just eight diners at £100 per head. The wine-bar (also selling craft beers) is walk-in only and drinks-led for the time being, but there are also plans to open a pizzeria, using a pizza oven bought from fellow-chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias following the closure of his Pi Shop in Bristol.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Gwen?
21 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, SY20 8EB
Gwen Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Great idea and outcome in such a small space. Friendly fun evening with some seriously excellent tastes. Imaginative wine flight to accompany. "
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £135.00 |  |
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| Drinks |
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|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
| Extras |
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|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
21 Heol Maengwyn, Machynlleth, SY20 8EB
Opening hours
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