THEATR Brycheiniog launched its new canalside dinner service in Brecon last month with a selection of invited guests to try out the new menu.
The Waterfront Cafe, based downstairs in the theatre, provides refreshments to people either enjoying the canal or before they see a show.
Around 20 guests attended the launch where they received a free drink on arrival – either wine, orange juice or water before picking a table with plates and cutlery set out.
Guests were told to help themselves by taking small amounts of each dish on tables in the middle of the room and eating from their own smaller plates with their individual parties.
The vice chairwoman of the theatre’s board, Elizabeth Jeffreys, made a speech at the launch of the new dinner service on Thursday, July 22 before the mayor of Brecon Manny Trailor cut the ribbon.
She said: “Aren’t we fortunate to have such a stunning location for this new dinner service? I want to say thank you to everyone who’s helped to make it happen, particularly the two chefs Ryan and Gareth who designed the menu.”
Diners broke bread over antipasti to start the taster experience, before tucking in to samples of the steak, lamb shank, sea bass, pasta and salad.
Dinner guest Richard Dommett, from Gilwern, was at the launch along with his wife Monica – he said they were both in Brecon when the theatre was built..
“It’s nice – it’s rustic, they’ve got to be careful that it stays rustic and doesn’t go to be ‘posh food’, as I call it”.
Richard said: “We used to come here quite a lot to see the shows, particularly when we had visitors we used to bring up here.”
Serving a mix of hot drinks and cakes in the day and Llanfaes Dairy ice cream in the summer, the cafe’s dinner service runs until 9pm from Tuesday-Saturday.
Brecon-based friends Helen Tinniswood, Liz Jenkins and Trish Fetten were also at the launch, which was attended by Cllr Trailor and town clerk Fiona Williams.
Helen said: “We’ll all be regulars after this, the food has been really nice.”
Liz said: “It’s a very welcome addition to Brecon dining, it’s just so nice to have a meal in the town.”
Trish added: “It’s a nice place to eat out where we can bring our friends when they visit.”
The Waterfront, which takes bookings for pre-show dining through the summer and autumn, also caters for private events and business meetings. For more information about The Waterfront, contact the theatre’s box office on 01874 611622.