Bistro 8 - Carta

The Cross Oak

➤ Cross Oak Cottages, Blackwood I-NP12 0DJ, United Kingdom

Carta • Pub • Cafés • Asiatic • British

---

"The place was welcoming and the staff were very nice but the food really let it down. I ordered the Chicken Pasta Alfredo and it came with macaroni noodles that were thin like the ones you get in instant pasta pots and were either overcooked and mushy or reheated, overall it was bland. Though I must say the garlic bread that came with it was to die for! The food really didn't condone the price and I felt a bit ripped off by it but the staff made the experience a lot better so it feels right giving three stars still despite what I didn't like about the food."

The Black Prince

➤ The Black Prince Ynysddu, NP11 7JF, Caerphilly, United Kingdom

Carta • Pub • Vegan • British • Burgers

---

"Fabulous Sunday lunch. The best value meal I have had out in a long time. 5 of us had starters of soup and prawn cocktails. 3 large beef, 1 chicken and 1 mixed meat all with roast potatoes, stuffing and Yorkshires. The vegetables came in serving dishes swede, carrots, cabbage, peas, cauliflower cheese and a bowl of amazing creamy mashed potatoes. 4 gravy jugs of hot delicious gravy. What more could you ask for for 13.95 main course. Starters and desserts £4.50. Only 2 has dessert as the rest of us were full up! Would definitely recommend and will return."

Islwyn Inn

➤ Glanhowy Rd, Wyllie, Blackwood, Gwent, NP12 2HN, Caerphilly, United Kingdom

Carta • Pubs • Tapas • Welsh • Mexican

---

"Went for Sunday lunch for our daughter's birthday. The food is outstanding and very good value for a 3 course meal 10/10. Sadly the same cannot be said about the service. Our meal was booked for 12.30 so we thought it would be nice to arrive a little earlier as they open at 12 and have a drink in the separate bar area. A gentleman came in and told us to go straight to the restaurant area and made us feel very unwelcome, like he didn't want us there. Why have a bar area if you don't want people in there. This spoiled our experience which is a shame as the food is so good. 10/10 for food 4/10 for service."

Fish Kitchen 1854

➤ 58 Main Road, Maesycwmmer I-CF82 7PP, United Kingdom

Carta • Fish • Curry • British • Chicken

---

"I visited this chip shop for the second time in recent weeks. My first experience wasn't great, but I decided to give it another chance, thinking it might have just been an off day. I'm glad I did, because the chips were very tasty this time, and the gravy is truly special. The mozzarella sticks and jumbo sausages were decent as well. Plus, the prices are a bit lower compared to similar chip shops in the area, which is always a plus. The only downside to this place is the parking; access to the shop is via a road with very limited parking spaces, which is unfortunate."

Fireside Coffee Lounge

➤ 24 Hanbury Road, CF81 8QT, Caerphilly, United Kingdom

Carta • Coffee • British • Breakfast • Vegetarian

---

"Rating this under my cafe list since I separate restaurants, cafes and franchises. I gotta be honest this was pretty solid and a lucky find. It’s one of the few places I could find open on a Sunday in a town I’m not familiar with and everything was cooked perfectly I decided to go off the beaten track and order something weird and not exactly on the main menu and went with the pancakes, bacon and eggs. The only issue I had was you had to tell them you wanted the eggs and bacon and it’s not made super clear on the menu so I had to order them later and wait for them to arrive (it was definitely worth it though. Interior is colourful and pleasant enough, it’s cosy and it’s very clearly popular with the locals. But most importantly it’s comfortable and clean. It’s got your traditional cafe meals on there : breakfasts, coffee, ham and eggs and so on, But the menu was actually quite extensive beyond that with steaks, mixed grills, pork chops and even a build your own roast dinner section. It even included an actual picture of the dishes made in house rather than just using text or some generic online photos which somehow makes the whole menu more appealing. I wish I had taken a picture of the menu but there was a wait for tables and I didn’t think about it until I had left felt a bit daft going back in but it’s where I’ll be coming next time I end up in Bargoed for any reason."