Lakeside Golf Course, Garthmyl

Kirsty Smallman joins a family outing to a golf club restaurant which scores highly.

Where have the last 12 months gone? My nan's birthday had come around once again and I arrived at her home in Montgomery with my mum to take her out for lunch.

My nan had heard people in the town recommending the nearby Lakeside Golf Course at Garthmyl. The "rumour" spreading around the town about the good food was supported by a birthday visit from my mum's cousin who said they had been there and had also had an enjoyable meal.

Word of mouth was good enough for me.

On arrival - (I must admit I wasn't expecting anything spectacular, it was only a golf course after all) we were left impressed by the beautiful lake surrounding the clubhouse and the river running down below the course.

We entered the clubhouse and a board stating their food serving times assured us our appetites would be fulfiled. Lunch 12 - 2.30pm, followed by afternoon cakes, before evening meals.

A friendly barmaid served us drinks and showed us to a ready-laid table in the raised dining area of the clubhouse – we were one of the first diners and I feared the word on the street was wrong. Instead I was proved very wrong.

The lunchtime menu boasted starters, wraps, sandwiches, jacket potatoes, while a specials board offered a host of main courses, including traditional meals of gammon, scampi, lasagne and pies.

Although a great lover of lasagne, I don't see the point in ordering it while dining out if it is a frozen, microwaved version (even I can do that!). Not wanting to miss out I asked the waitress if the specials were home-made which she proudly said they were all made by their chef.

Both mum and I ordered the soup to start – also home-made, while nan opted out. With such a small appetite she was saving herself to enjoy her main meal.

Often at so many places, requests for smaller portions of main meals are refused but the waitress once again pleased us by saying the chef would do a small portion of her choice.

Home-made cottage pie off the specials board it was then, while both mum and I went for the lasagne.

Sadly the day we visited was pretty overcast and miserable but throughout our meal I eyed up the large patio area – I have already booked my place for the summer afternoons I am hoping for!

We arrived at the right time, as soon after ordering our meals, the tables started to fill up. This place was no secret and since opening just over 12 months ago, obviously word had spread.

Nan enjoyed seeing familiar faces from her nearby town enjoying their meals and lunchtime menu meals served, such as wraps, were obviously not a light option and looked a good portion and very tempting.

The home-made soup had a lovely texture and taste to it and was finished off with a decorative swirl on top with slices of warm French stick. Thumbs up so far.

The starter dishes were cleared and our main meals arrived shortly after.

Our lasagnes were served as a deep, plentiful, portion with lots of meat. But the greatest surprise came when we saw the browned, chunky, crispy, home-made chips on the plate.

They looked delicious and my empty plate at the end proved they tasted fantastic too. Mum also managed to clear her plate – although we did say how full we were and "no-way" could we fit in a sweet.

Nan had enjoyed the portion of her cottage pie we had served onto the smaller plate for her with a few chips. I was so full nan's leftover chips couldn't even tempt me.

However, when a dessert menu board was placed on the table and again the waitress told us they were all home-made – we couldn't resist. Spoilt for choice, we ordered the fresh fruit pavlova to share.

The sticky meringue piled high with cream and fresh fruit including strawberries, raspberries, apples and berries was beautiful.

And nan's birthday meal – where, as you can tell it wasn't the birthday girl who overindulged, but rather her daughter and granddaughter – was finished off to perfection with coffees.

The spacious clubhouse with generous sized tables and a fabulous view proved a great dining experience – and a sneaky peak at the evening menu looked even more impressive. Inquiring about the good quality Sunday lunches nan had been told about – we were told people needed to book two weeks in advance. I know where my choice of a family meal will be next time.

I have since learned from head chef Frank Rudman that he only joined the clubhouse a month ago and created his own menu to boast locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. But Mr Rudman needs to stop being so modest and put "home-made" on his specials board and on his menus as it makes so much difference when deciding what to order.

A brilliant meal and venue but I'm a little bit worried I may be shooting myself in the foot by writing this as it might shortly become a three week wait for Sunday lunch!

MENU SAMPLE

Starters

Stuffed oven-baked field mushrooms on rocket with a balsamic reduction (£4.25); goat's cheese panacotta, salad, home-made chutney (£4.50)

Main courses

Grilled lamb cutlets with slow roast plum tomato, field mushroom, home-made onion rings and sauce bearnaise (£13.95); pan fried supreme of salmon, baby beetroot, Jersey royal new potatoes, water cress salad, sauce bearnaise (£12.95)

Desserts

Sticky toffee pudding (£3.75); meringue nest with chantilly cream, fresh berries (£3.75)

ATMOSPHERE

Relaxed with beautiful views

SERVICE

Young professional, polite, efficient and enthusiastic staff

DISABLED FACILITIES

Disabled access and toilets.

Contact

Lakeside Golf Club, Garthmyl, Powys. Tel: 01686 640909.