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Jon Appetit, Aberdare (2026)

24/02/2026

Takeaway Review

Crust & Crumbs

Trecynon, Aberdare

Having spotted a few Facebook posts from Crust & Crumbs over the past couple of weeks, I decided it was time to pop in and see what they had to offer.

From the name, I was half-expecting a quaint little café – gingham tablecloths, floral crockery, the works. It’s not that at all! Instead, it’s a tiny takeaway – and judging by the menu, very much a proper café-style takeaway. I can’t recall seeing many like it, at least not without some seating inside.

I went for a classic: a bacon and egg baguette with tomato sauce – something I often grab from a large national chain on the way to work.

The first thing I noticed was that the owner (who is very friendly and chatty, by the way) cooks the thick-cut bacon fresh to order. No reheating pre-cooked rashers here – always a good sign.

As the baguette was being filled, I quickly realised my revised plan to eat it in the car wasn’t going to end well. There was a generous helping of sauce and a beautifully runny yolk involved. There was absolutely no chance I’d manage it without redecorating my nice clean T-shirt. I decided to head home and eat it properly at the table – definitely the right call!

And what a baguette it was. Two thick slices of salty bacon paired perfectly with a nicely fried egg. Delicious. The only warning? It goes everywhere. This is, at the very least, a two-sheets-of-kitchen-roll kind of eat!

At £4.60, it’s competitively priced and a very welcome change from the much larger chains.

Would I go back? Absolutely.

18/02/2026

Bunch of Grapes

Pontypridd

I popped in for a relaxed midweek lunch, accompanied by my daughter and her dog, Oakley, and once again had a very enjoyable meal.

Starters

BBQ Pork Belly Burnt Ends
Pork Ribs with Kimchi Coleslaw

Both starters were served with a BBQ sauce made using Otley beer, that’s brewed on site. The sauce had a lovely balance of smoke and sweetness, complementing the richness of the meats perfectly.

The burnt ends were beautifully cooked, rich, and full of flavour. The addition of pickled ginger cut through the fattiness brilliantly, adding a sharp, refreshing contrast.

The ribs were equally well cooked and packed with flavour. The kimchi slaw, however, was slightly underwhelming. It lacked the punchy, fermented heat you’d expect from kimchi, and the texture was a little thin where the vegetables had released some water.

Mains

Haddock & Chips, Crushed Minted Peas, Tartare Sauce
Burger with Bacon, Mature Cheddar & Chips

The “small” haddock was anything but small, and larger than what many chip shops would serve as a standard portion. The batter was mostly crisp and golden, with just a small softer patch. The fish itself was excellent: flaky, moist, and perfectly cooked. A quick big-up for the excellent tartare sauce, with good amounts of chopped pickle and capers.

The burger was superb. The bacon was cooked spot-on, the mature cheddar was clearly good quality, and the crispy onions and fresh tomato added great texture and balance. A really well-executed dish.

The only slight disappointment across both mains was the chips. While well cooked inside, they could have benefited from a little more colour and crispness, perhaps a slightly hotter oil or an extra fry to give them that extra crunch.

Desserts

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Vanilla Ice Cream & Butterscotch Sauce
Smoked Apple Baked Cheesecake with Cinnamon Ice Cream

The sticky toffee pudding was every bit as good as on our previous visit — rich, indulgent, and faultless. It’s hard to imagine it being done any better.

The smoked apple baked cheesecake was my first time trying a baked version. It arrived with a sharp raspberry purée that cut beautifully through the richness of the cheesecake and cinnamon ice cream. The subtle smokiness was interesting, though I’m still undecided whether it elevated the dish or slightly distracted from it, but it certainly made it memorable.

Overall, another very solid meal. A few minor tweaks could make it exceptional, but there’s no doubt this remains one of the best places for quality food and well-balanced flavours.

14/02/2026

Junjira

Aberdare Market

Junjira is a very small space, three tables, for about ten people, with a small table for the menus, that can be used for two extra people.

I’ve been here a number of times, and ordered several different items from the menu, and never been disappointed.

This time I go for the fried chicken wings and Kao Pad Khung, or prawn fried rice to you and me.

The two dishes arrive together. I immediately dig in to the fried rice, after a few forks full, the owner suggested I may want to add some fish sauce,with freshly chopped small green chillies, from the squat pot in the middle of the three pictured. It is no exaggeration to say that the already very good dish was lifted to a new level of excellence.

Having given the wings a few minutes to cool down, I take one from the basket they arrived in. They are not only the crispiest wings I’ve ever had but they are up there with the best I’ve ever had.

The cost: an unbelievable £2.99 for five large chicken wings and £6.99 for the fried rice. Go along and give them a try, you won’t be disappointed.

09/02/2026

Bella Roma

Haverfordwest

A trip west for a family birthday lunch,13 of us descending on what looks like a nice old pub from the outside, that is reflected inside, with a homely wood fire.

Drinks first, and I stepped away from my usual non-alcoholic choice and went for a Limoncello spritz. Light, refreshing, and a great start to the meal.

For starters, I chose the melanzane al forno — small chunks of aubergine in a rich tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella. Comforting and full of Italian warmth.

Mains was spaghetti polpette: four medium-sized meatballs in tomato sauce. The meatballs themselves were good, though the sauce needed a little extra salt to really bring the flavours to life.

Dessert was an apple pie with ice cream — not very Italian, I know, but I love apple desserts. It was a little too sweet for me personally, but that’s more down to my lack of a sweet tooth than anything else.

Overall, the general feeling around the table was that the food is good, though some of the pasta dishes were slightly under-seasoned.

That said, the service was excellent. Fabio was a fantastic host, and the staff were friendly, attentive, and efficient — especially impressive with a group our size.

A lovely spot for a relaxed family meal, while on a break down West, with warm hospitality at its heart.

Oh, and they allow dogs too.

Address

Aberdare

Website

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