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THE GASTRO GRAZER by Carl Housbey
I realise by the time you read this, we will be well into 2017, but I had such a fabulous time at New Year that I just had to share it with you all. Instead of the usual hassle of trying to find a taxi at daft o’ clock in the morning, this year I decided to book a three-day break at Palé Hall, near Bala in North Wales.
Palé Hall is a Victorian mansion that was built in the early 1870’ s for a wealthy industrialist called Henry Robertson. Over the years the hall has changed hands many times, before eventually being purchased in 2015 by current owners Alan and Angela Harper who have lavished a small fortune on the place to turn it into a grand country house hotel with restaurant, which opened in September 2016.
When you first arrive and crunch down the gravel driveway you can’ t help but imagine you’ re in an episode of a period drama such as Downton Abbey. The feeling never seems to go away either, especially as Alan and Angela have made a deliberate effort to make Palé feel more like a home than a hotel, and I must say it works amazingly well.
New Year’ s Eve began with a Champagne reception before we sat down to a delicious dinner expertly prepared by 2 Michelin Star Chef Michael Caines and his protégé Gareth Stevenson. The dress code for the evening was“ Black Tie” which gave all the ladies the chance to dress to impress, and I’ m sure I wasn’ t the only man in the room who secretly thought he was James Bond. by a nine piece band called Dodgey Practice who played a setlist that included everyone’ s favourites.
In no time at all the clock struck midnight and we all stood outside wishing each other a very Happy New Year, drinking yet more Champagne whilst watching the most fantastic fireworks display that was the envy of the whole of North Wales.
You can tell Alan and Angela are used to throwing amazing house parties, as not only had they organised bacon butties after the fireworks, but they made sure a hearty breakfast was served on New Years Day until 1:00pm to allow everyone the chance of a decent lie in.
New Years Day can sometimes be an anticlimax, but not at Palé, as we spent the afternoon in the gardens watching a display of some magnificent birds of prey, which gave us the opportunity to get some fresh air, and recharge our batteries before another superb dinner hosted by Michael Caines himself who not only cooked, but also introduced each course in the dining room whilst providing some fascinating and amusing anecdotes.
I can’ t wait for my next visit, and I predict that Palé Hall will receive many accolades in 2017, so don’ t miss out, book yourself in via www. palehall. co. uk or by telephone 01678 530285.
To stay up to date with my adventures: follow @ carlhousbey
Once dinner was finished it was time to break out your best moves and throw some shapes on the dance floor accompanied
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