The Beach House in Oxwich won a Michelin Star in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2020.
This striking restaurant is situated at a stunning beachfront spot on South Wales’ Gower Peninsula, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Here’s what you need to know:
The Chef
Head Chef Hywel Griffith was born in North Wales but travelled to London early on in his career, gaining experience in some big name establishments. He has since worked at various high-profile restaurants around Britain, including Ynyshir Hall near Machynlleth and Freemasons at Wiswell. In 2016, Hywel settled in Wales, making his home on the edge of Swansea.
Hywel is a fluent Welsh speaker and the Beach House menus are written in both Welsh and English. This proud Welshman is a keen forager and has a passion for supporting local farmers and fishermen, so expect Gower salt marsh lamb and Ty Siriol pork alongside fresh Swansea Bay Bass and Oxwich Bay lobster.
The Food
Rooted in the classics, Hywel’s dishes are recognisable and reassuring in their construction, relying on refinement rather than complication to impress. Dishes are technically accomplished, contrasts in flavours are well-judged and the various components work together to put the spotlight on the main ingredient.
Alongside the à la carte menu, Hywel offers 5 and 8 course tasting menus – and at lunch there's a great value 3 course menu too. Some of the dishes enjoyed by the Michelin Inspectors over the past year have included veal sweetbread with asparagus and Morteau sausage; poached salmon with ponzu, wasabi mayonnaise and shimeji mushrooms; and egg custard tart with poached rhubarb and blood orange ice cream. The Inspectors also very much enjoyed Hywel’s signature dessert: the bara brith soufflé.
The Restaurant
This low-slung stone building used to be the coal store for the Penrice Estate; where the coal was loaded onto boats destined for England. Its stylish interior has a nautical, ‘New England’ feel and features local art and pottery, with lots of well-spaced tables and an on-view kitchen.
You won’t be spending too much time looking at the kitchen, however, as it’s the wonderful view of Oxwich Bay which commands your attention. The secluded beachfront location means that in the summer months, a seat on the wraparound terrace is a must.
Wales’ newest Michelin-Starred restaurant has got the looks, the location and the lush food – in fact, as one of the inspectors commented, what’s not to like?
See highlights of the launch here
For a list of all the NEW Star Distinctions for 2020 click here
For all UK Star listings click here
For all Republic Of Ireland Star listings click here
