Review : Alfreds, Pontypridd

Posted on February 14th, 2006 filed in Entertainment, Ponty, Re-View, Valleys

Alfreds Restaurant and Bar
3, Market Street
Pontypridd
CF37 2ST
Tel. (01443) 404060

Alfreds is a stylish restaurant and bar situated in Market Street, Pontypridd. It was opened in late Summer 2004 and named after Alfred John who was the founder of Pontypridd Market. The same family also own the Market Tavern nearby.

Nick John - the owner - was kind enough to come down from a busy restaurant and talk about his vision for Alfreds. He described his ambitious plans for “a restaurant that would appeal to age range 18 to 80” and how the design evolved. He exuded confidence in this business.

Beers

In Alfreds there is plenty of choice if you want a popular keg beer. I counted twenty eight taps on the bar. There were many lagers (Kronenburg 1664, Carling C2, Fosters, Grolsch and San Miguel) one cider (Strongbow), one black beer (Guinness), and two smooth ‘nitrokeg’ beers (John Smith’s and Worthington).

There is beer, beer, everywhere but not a drop of real ale to drink. I found this disappointing as real ale is a sophisticated drink which is becoming ever more popular, as the recent opening of local micro-breweries in Pontypridd and Rhymney prove. Perhaps Alfreds could consider stocking a small range of bottle-conditioned real ale beers to appeal to even more customers.

For wine drinkers Alfreds offered a fantastic selection of wines. Many wines are on display behind the bar and there is a well-stocked wine cellar. Staff are knowledgeable about the wines available.

Atmosphere

Alfreds has style. If only other restaurants and pubs could take a leaf out of this book.

Comfy and high-value leather furniture beckon the customer to relax.

There is music playing in the background but it is totally unobtrusive.

I find a suitable perch and admire the variety of settings here : the way the designers have chosen to light different areas, the corners, the snug over there, and the careful choice of furniture.

It works well. Nothing more, and nothing less is required. That’s good design for you.

Alfreds is a two-storey building. There is a lift between the two floors. Disabled access for this building is excellent. It’s a very cold day outside but the temperature inside this large building is just perfect. The decorations are all very tasteful.

Management of the ‘air’ flow within the building is superb. It’s very clean with no hint of smokiness or any other unpleasant smells. The restaurant has a smoking and non-smoking area, though this will change in future, as the recent vote in Parliament reminded everyone.

Nothing here is over the top. It’s an understated and confident style.

Presentation

It’s pretty flawless. I can see some sort of video screen downstairs above the bar area and it seems to be displaying adverts in a carousel fashion. It looks out of place here. It’s the type of thing one sees in the local Post Office nowadays. This is a wee niggle, not a complaint.

Alfreds has a dress code for customers. No workclothes, no trainers, no pins in clothes, no ripped jeans… I nod my head in agreement as this is explained to me. It all seems like common sense. Hopefully other bars will follow Alfreds example.

Staff

Staff at Alfreds were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable.

I spoke to them on the phone and at length at Alfreds and they were true ambassadors.

Staff were dressed immaculately and everywhere I visited showed signs of graft and dedication.. I looked at carpets, tables, tiles, glasses, bottles, all kinds of surfaces, nook and crannies, but I was unable to discover dust or grime or evidence of slipshod presentation.

Food

This is the jewel in Alfreds crown… the restaurant food.

Consistently excellent service with friendly and courteous serving staff in a spacious restaurant (upstairs) located in the middle of Pontypridd town and all at reasonable prices.

Plenty of choice on the menu … for example if you like pancake you can have them Mediterranean style, Rosti, Hawaiian, Mexican, Norwegian, and American!

Everyone seems to have only good words to say about the food at Alfreds.

Conclusion

Alfreds stands out from the competition.

It stands out because it is something fresh and stylish here on our Valleys doorstep in Pontypridd.

There is tremendous attention to detail here.

And a Herculean effort has gone into designing this building and delivering a matching service.

Alfreds in Pontypridd… it’s great!