Taste Test: Pen Y Bont Farm, Mold

Telephone: 01352 860101​

Website: https://www.penybontfarmpubmold.co.uk/​

WHEN I have guests staying over, one pub in Flintshire has become my go-to-destination for eating out.

Whether its a young family or friends with certain dietary requirements, Pen Y Bont Farm in Mold is certain to have plenty on the menu to satisfy.

This time my guests were vegan identical twins (yes really!) and I decided to take them to Pen Y Bont before we went to see The Batman movie at Cheshire Oaks.

Although Cheshire Oaks has an abundance of eateries, in my opinion, none come close the atmosphere and menu at Pen Y Bont.

The welcome at the converted farmhouse is always warm, and although it is a chain (Marston's) it feels like a family-owned independent pub.

One member of staff in particular seemed to have taken on the role of "mine host" during our visit, creating an intimate, homely atmosphere despite the pub bustling with diners.

Dining at Pen Y Bont, Mold.

It was Saturday lunchtime and there were lots of customers inside, several larger tables had family members of several generations while others had smaller groups of friends or couples enjoying each other's company as well as dishes from the varied menu.

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It isn't a slight to call Pen Y Bont Farm a "one size fits all" venue as it seems to have something for everyone.

My friends chose a portion of chunky chips each (£3.25).

This is not to say the pub doesn't have a decent vegan menu - it does. It's just they would order just chips wherever they went, whether it was Wetherspoons or Noma in Copenhagen.

Pen Y Bont Farm, Mold.

For me, on the other hand, the world of pub food was my oyster (or scallops and mussels which featured on the list of daily specials).

On this occasion I wanted a home-cooked style meal - what I call a nan dinner - rather than burger and chips.

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The Pen Y Bont's famed farm-assured rotisserie chicken was tempting, but instead I went for the duo of chicken and beef (£15.25). My decision was swayed by the dish coming with two pots of gravy - as all meals should do in my book.

We added a mini loaf (£3.50) to share.

My meal was excellent. A little elevated from what you'd get at home (sorry, nana) but still homely and comforting. And, most importantly, plenty of gravy.

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For dessert, I had the strawberry cheesecake (£5.75) while my companions opted for vegan zesty sundaes. The sundaes were plentiful and, I'm assured, very zesty.

My portion of cheesecake, served with pouring cream on the side, was both generous and delicious.

Finally, part of the charm of the venue is the building itself. Originally a row of 17th Century cottages before being transformed into a sprawling farmhouse in the 19th Century, the building has Grade II listed status.

So if you like dining amid raised beams and exposed brickwork (and who doesn't?) you'll be in heaven.