About The Shed
New directions at The Shed
After ten frantic years , we have reached our goal and building on the success of the Bistro and the ever popular Fish & Chip Days, we have decided now is the time to develop other interests - building a home, boat trips, etc and now want to simply alter the demands of such an intense and hectic lifestyle.
So Fish & Chips with simple and favourite specials - Please look at our sample Fish and Chip menu for our new sample menu -
still focusing on local and fresh using a variety of sustainable and local catches.
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A small, but intimate & welcoming bistro in the renowned village of Porthgain - small enough to provide a unique & local experience
We have a small outside seating area so you can watch the world go by....
We have an extensive Wine List with house wines starting at £14.95, as well as a full range of lager, beers, spirits & soft drinks.
Home-made cakes, Fresh Coffee, Cappuccino, Latte, Hot Chocolate, Ice Creams etc, are served.
The emphasis of our menu is fish and shellfish, however we always offer a meat alternative.
We think that'll be it for now as we have utilised every inch of our building and our only aim will be to work on continually improving and enhancing our venture.
But watch this space…………
2010
Coming up to our ten year anniversary - where has that time gone - we have ‘grown - up’ and the running is so much easier! Plans to start up our boat trips again are in the offing - we have many bizarre conversations with folk wanting ‘fishing trips’ - when really they want Fish ‘n’ Chips and vice versa! We appeared in quite a few national newspapers which always boosts our morale. We now have a Deli counter - with a good range of Welsh & Local Cheese available, with a selection of Chutneys and Relishes to compliment. We also now serve the famous ‘Joes Ice Cream’ in cones rather than tubs - a wider range of their yummy flavours.
2009
Another busy year - Our Fish and Chips served on Mondays have seen a huge following - we aim to keep this night going all year round. We have finished our kitchen refurbishment which is a delight to work in - when we think back to how we started we are amazed we even tried!
2008
New Tapas style menu offered in conjunction with A La Carte menu. The Tapas was well received in the winter months and will return in the Autumn
2007
We finally opened the new bar in late December. There are windows overlooking the harbour, an open fire and a comfy sofa. Our 'Pub' licence allows our customers to enjoy a drink without a meal. We also gained entry into The Michelin Guide.
2006
Wow - what
a year! Amazingly busy all year - a tremendous learning curve
- we seem to have moved into the 'league' without knowing. Not
without it's up & downs mind you - mistakes, complaints,
giggles, hair tearing & tears etc.
I'm still trying to become a 'chef' by attending the local college
and completing an NVQ2 in Catering, which has helped my amateur
skills - hopefully I'll move on to the higher levels in due course!?
Wwe learn by our mistakes & improve our service. Rob & I
are both astounded at the good feedback we get - and overwhelmed
by articles & attention in the National Papers - scary - expectations
have been increased which has been a challenge - to say the least.
Our aim now this winter is to remain open every week - both day & night
- albeit with reduced hours - and of course to - utilise knowledge
gained this year in improving all aspects for next year.
2002
The following year we started with all mod cons, and truly thought it was a doddle compared to the year before. We have to say without the patience and support of our staff, friends and family we would have given up quickly. We began the 'Evening Bistro' in late June, just opening three nights a week and operating a 'BYO'. In 2003, we opened with a Supper Licence and now had a wine list - relative sophistication. Our regular customers got used to coming through the kitchen to use the loo at the back and stopping for a chat on the way back! During the Winter of 2003, we began to develop the first floor and although we have only gained one table, and two toilets, we believe the 'experience' has been improved and refined.
The Beginning
The Shed Tearoom was opened in 2001 - shortly after the outbreak of 'Foot & Mouth', initially to improve the bookings for the boat trips. We began without mains water or electricity - using a generator for lighting and carrying in water on a daily basis! We borrowed tables & chairs, teapots, saucepans, went to Oxfam shops - and even climbed in skips to retrieve cast off picnic tables! Many thought we were mad, given the devastation caused by the farming plight and the lack of modern facilities, but it enabled us to prove that the tearoom would be viable. The following winter we invested in securing the lease for the building, as well as digging up half of Porthgain to lay in services.
View toward Strumble Head Lighthouse