The Pilot, Penarth

The Pilot, 67 Queen's Road, Penarth, CF64 1DJ

Open all day

The Pilot is a Victorian pub situated on the North side of Penarth, overlooking Cardiff Bay and the City. The pub is marked on the 1880 map of the area, whilst most of the surrounding area was being developed. The original building is the one adjacent to the steep lane, it has since been expanded into an adjoining house. The pub features a colourful pub sign with a picture of a rugged-looking seaman at the wheel of his boat in stormy seas.

Below the sign, on the corner, is the pub entrance, this leads to an entrance hall with the bar on the right, towards the front and the lounge on the left at the rear. The large bar is bright and features painted wood panelling throughout. An eclectic mix of seating is available throughout the pub, from couches to unusual chairs.

 An old photo of one of the pub regulars can be seen in the pub, and the doorway was originally in the corner of the building. The front room is the perfect place to experience the rays of the afternoon sun before it sets below the hill on which Penarth is situated upon. There are also tables outside the pub for smokers or those who prefer outdoor eating and drinking.

There are four gleaming chrome handpumps on the bar serving real ales, with most of the beers coming from Brain's, although with guests ales from breweries such as Otley, Arbor or Dorset breweries. A more unusual beer is the Milk Stout from the Bristol Beer Factory which will be on this weekend and beers from Brains Craft Brewery are also on sale when available. Bottled Budvar from the Czech Republic is also available along with Brains SA Gold and Dark in bottles, together with an extensive wine list. The Pilot is owned by Wales' largest real ale brewer, SA Brain, but is leased to award-winning pub group Knife & Fork Food Limited who also run the New Conway in Pontcanna and the Old Swan in Llantwit Major.

The rear room features a wood-burning stove and an impressive view across Cardiff Bay towards the City Centre. There is a large-projection screen television used for major sporting events such as the Six Nations. Sunday nights are quiz nights in the Pilot.

Food is served all day from extensive chalkboard menu with dishes such as orange and fennel glazed pork with mustard mash together with more traditional pub fayre such as fish and chips or even haggis, neeps and tatties, a favourite of the Scottish-born pub chef.
Free WiFi.

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Penarth pub reopens as The New Pilot

The traditional Penarth watering hole that was the Pilot has been stylishly reincarnated by South Wales food company Knife & Fork Food Ltd.


The Brains–owned Penarth pub, The Pilot reopened this Saturday (1st September) as The New Pilot, the latest venture from South Wales based food company Knife & Fork Food Ltd.

An extensive renovation project has seen the venue undergo a similar transformation to that of The New Conway. The Pontcanna pub, an entrant in the Michelin Good Food Guide 2013, has become a huge success story for the Knife & Fork brand, since its launch in 2008. Have previously covered the New Conway here.

"We have been very much inspired by the success of The Conway", said Sean Murphy, Managing Director of Knife & Fork Food, "The new Pilot will have the same cosy, family friendly feel as The Conway, complete with log burner, bookcases and snug sofas."

"We think Penarth will be a perfect fit for our brand – the wonderful community feel is something that is hugely attractive to us. I’m really looking forward to establishing our position as a neighbourhood hub that is very much at the heart of the community, much like The Conway has become in Pontcanna."

Martin White, previously Sous Chef at The Conway has been appointed as Head Chef and Executive Chef of the Knife & Fork group, Stefan Nilsson, will be chalking up locally grown, seasonal produce, on the continually evolving blackboard menu.

Foodies can expect an eclectic and hearty selection of dishes that will have taste buds tingling in anticipation. Starters include rabbit cromesco with pickled wild mushroom and butternut squash puree, as well as courgette and feta fritters with raisin and caper dressing.

Mains are equally enticing with Brains Dark braised ox cheeks, celeriac mash and braising liquor, not to mention The Pilot’s fish pie and Chef Martin’s haggis, neeps and tatties being particular highlights.

Desserts don’t disappoint either, with the Napolitana – a combination of chocolate ganache, vanilla parfait and strawberry espuma being a strong contender for most tantalising sweet.

Quiz fans will also be pleased to know that weekly quiz nights will be on the social menu, as well as culinary themed evenings, which have garnered quite a following since their inception at The Conway earlier this year.

The New Pilot
67 Queen's Road
Penarth
CF64 1DJ

Golden Lion, Penarth

Golden Lion, 69 Glebe Street, Penarth, CF64 1EF
Open all day


The Golden Lion is a two-story Victorian building on the corner of
Glebe and King Streets and was one of the original ten pubs built when
this area of Penarth was constructed in the nineteenth century. The
pub was originally owned by Hancock's Brewery, then was taken over by
Welsh Brewers but was recently bought by the locally-based JW Bassett
Pub Company who have leased the pub for a number of years previously.
The frontage consists of large windows and black painted wooden beams
with a decorative pub sign of a golden lion with the words 'Serving
the finest ales and lagers' written underneath. The entrance doorway
is on the corner and this leads to the small and compact bar area.
Polished wooden floorboards give way to black and red Victorian floor
tiles approaching the tall wooden bar counter.
Three gleaming brass handpumps serve real ales and a cider, the Golden
Lion is a rare local outlet for beers from Wales oldest brewery,
Felinfoel of Llanelli and also a rare local outlet for one of Wales'
newest breweries, Kite of Gorslas. The ciders and occasionally a perry
are from Westons of Much Marcle, a traditional Herefordshire maker.
All the drinks are served in branded glassware with the beers from the
Kite Brewery being served in their own oversized vessels.

A large real fire is a feature of the bar area and to the left hand
side of this is a passage into what once was the next door house, now
encompassed into the Golden Lion as part of the pub. This part of the
pub features a dart board as well as more seating. To the rear of this
room is a doorway that leads to a courtyard which features as the beer
garden and smoking area. An outside drinking area is unusual to find
in Penarth and this one is even equipped with its own weatherproof
flatscreen television. Live sports events are a feature of this pub
and there are 6 plasma screens in total, including one for 3D
broadcasts.

Food is served all day with grills a speciality and a carvery on
Sundays. One of the menu items is a 32oz mixed grill for under a
tenner. A chalkboard in the bar gives details of a Pick 'n' Mix combo
or 'Welsh Tapas' which prove very popular during major sporting
events. Real Crisps and pickled eggs are also available.
The Golden Lion is a thriving, friendly community pub with regular
charity events and drinks promotions on Monday nights and a poker
night on Tuesdays. Free WiFi.

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