Food critic Gary Hanna, known as Gary Eats, visited Ynyshir restaurant in Wales and spent £540 per person on a 30-course meal that took over five hours. He gave it a 10-star rating.
The Restaurant and Its Reputation
Ynyshir is run by chef Gareth Ward and his partner Amelia in Eglwys Fach, western Wales. On TripAdvisor, it holds the top spot as the number one hotel in Eglwys Fach with an average rating of 4.6 out of five across 465 reviews. The Michelin Guide praised it, stating: "For a truly unique experience, head for rural Wales and this matt-black house with an immersive approach and a mellow soundtrack." The guide also noted Ward's reverence for Japanese cuisine, with sashimi and A5 Wagyu beef likely appearing on the surprise menu of around 30 vibrant servings.
Gary Hanna's Review
Hanna, accompanied by a cameraman, was overwhelmingly positive. Regarding the price, he said: "How much did this cost? £540 per person. You book in advance... The only way you can understand what I've just experienced is experience it yourself." He added: "Not every dish was to my liking and we actually disagreed on certain points. The other thing is you think this has gone on all night and it takes forever to do.... It took just over five hours."
Despite the high cost, Hanna said it was worth the money because of the memorable experience, which he likened to being in a dream. He suggested booking a room to enjoy the full experience, including wines and whiskies. He concluded: "The marks I'm giving it is 10 stars. It's a simple 10 star. Quite a few are going to say it's ridiculous price. Yes, it is a ridiculous price. Are you paying for the whole experience? You're paying for this. You're paying for a dream and that's what it is. I think it's their dream, they have smashed it out of the park."
