The Dragonfly, Tredegar Park, Newport Review

Overall Rating

Car parking is plentiful
Service is excellent
Just off the M4
The quality of the food

Menu NEVER changes

The Dragonfly is a posh-ish pub and looks like it's been there forever. Low ceilings, mish-mash matching of old chairs and tables, partly carpeted / partly flagstone floored; it's really quite nice. There's a huge selection of wines by the glass, and they make their own lemonade and other soft drinks, which is a nice touch.

I nipped in for lunch during a working day, and I was firstly disappointed that the menu STILL hasn't changed, though they do a daily-fish special.

It's not a large menu, stocked with usual things from gammon and steaks to sandwiches and wraps. What I've eaten I've enjoyed, but I do enjoy a surprise when I'm out! I wish they'd update it or expand their "specials" selection.

Seated with my glass of wine I opted for the Scampi, which arrived incredibly promptly. Large, juicy, sumptuous prawns in a light breadcrumb covering - exactly as you'd expect but better. The salad leaves were indeed "dressed" (as it said on the menu) with a light and tasty dressing, which included tomato and herbs. It came quicker than I expected, as the place was fairly full.

At £7.50 it wasn't exactly cheap, but the quality was excellent. This place does tend to appeal to older couples or groups who maybe come from the more affluent villages which surround this otherwise industrialised area. Think WI or Miss Marple.

The service was amazing - the Manager flitted about serving dishes from the kitchen, smiling, proffering home made sauces (well at least some were) and checking all was OK. Waitresses too checked I was OK, and I suppose if you're going to be very tetchy, I don't think I needed quite so many enquiries as to how my meal was going.

The quality reflects the price, and it's always busy at peak times, but that doesn't appear to spoil anyone's experience. Meals are under £10, but once you add drinks then you're looking at £15 a head.

This is somewhere for special lunches, with friends and family (they are child friendly, though I'm not sure if there's a children's menu)! I bet Sunday lunch is good here too.

Worth giving it a try.