Evening Meal @ ronni’z lounge
When you’re on holiday, it can be a difficult choice (and admittedly, a champagne problem) figuring out the best place to go for your evening meal. I came to Tenby this summer with a long list of restaurants to try, aided by TripAdvisor and a handful of best-of-Tenby blogs.
As a keen foodie with a penchant for an accompanying cocktail, I knew I needed to try out Ronni’z Lounge in Tenby. This place promised to sate my need for mixology, food innovation and carefully crafted interior design. In other words, vibes.
Walking into ‘Ronni’z’ on a Friday night, I was glad I had bothered to get my glad rags on. The lighting was moody, a live musician was setting up and there was a cosmopolitan feel in the air. Most importantly, I could see a serious looking mixologist carefully applying a physalis to an amber concoction. I felt confident I had found my tribe.
We were seated by a friendly server who had made sure to put us in the window, as requested. I love a window seat, the perfect place to people-watch, both inside and out. Languishing in what I can only describe as an armchair (nice touch!), I browsed the extensive cocktail menu before plumping for an Espresso Martini. I intended to start the night with some oomph.
Sipping one of the smoothest cocktails I have ever encountered, I selected the salmon and prawn cocktail to start, followed by the creamy garlic mushroom chicken. Absolutely raving about her Clover Club cocktail, my friend opted for the bruschetta and the fillet steak. There was a warm, easy atmosphere as we waited for our meals, and the live musician was keeping up a Bublé-esque backing track for our listening pleasure.
the food
A moment for the food. The smoked salmon in my starter had me sitting back with disbelief, such was the impact. It was somehow both lightly smoked and packed with flavour, thickly cut and amazingly, produced by a Tenby-based company called ‘Salt + Smoke’. If you have read anything I’ve written before, you will know I am a smoked salmon enthusiast. I dare say I found my go-to that night.
My main was another stand-out event. I wouldn’t ordinarily choose chicken, being something of a safe choice, but I was glad I took the leap. The chicken was tender and well complemented by the creamy sauce. The potatoes were elevated with the salty addition of bacon. Cutting through the richness, the vegetables refreshed the palate and were served a little al dente. Just how I like them.
With no complaints from either of us, we sat back, sated, and ordered two more cocktails for dessert. I chose a Bramble, and the heady mix of juniper, berries and a lift of lemon more than satisfied my sweet tooth. Hannah chose a Gin Sorbet, which was the light and refreshing cherry on top of her more decadent meal.
Merry, full and about ready to don our dancing shoes, we clinked glasses. Clearly, we had decided, Ronni’z Lounge was an overwhelming success.
