I ARRIVED at the View restaurant at the Marian Resort and Spa on Sunday with a mix of curiosity and genuine excitement.
Curiosity, because only months ago the resort made headlines for all the wrong reasons after receiving a shock zero hygiene rating.
Excitement, because since then it has not only overhauled its kitchen and leadership team, but has now officially regained its Five‑Star Food Hygiene Rating—a remarkable turnaround that had already begun to generate a quiet buzz. If ever there was a “zero to hero” story in North Wales dining, this felt like it.
And after spending a long, indulgent Sunday afternoon there with a vegetarian friend, I can say with confidence: the View is firmly back on top.
View
The restaurant itself is aptly named. Perched high within the Marian Resort, it opens out onto sweeping views of the Denbighshire coastline, with Rhyl’s familiar skyline in the distance.
We were lucky enough to be offered a table right beside the floor‑to‑ceiling windows, and the effect was instant—light, space, and a sense of calm that made the whole place feel both elegant and wonderfully cosy.
It’s the kind of setting that makes you think immediately of Mother’s Day, Easter gatherings, or any special occasion where you want to treat someone properly.
A live singer added a layer of warmth and classiness to the room, soft enough not to intrude but present enough to elevate the atmosphere. It felt like the kind of Sunday lunch experience you’d happily linger over.
The staff were a credit to the restaurant’s revival—friendly, confident, and knowledgeable.
My vegetarian companion was given clear, thoughtful advice, and I was impressed to learn that all desserts are made in‑house, meaning dietary questions can be answered accurately rather than vaguely. It’s a small detail, but it speaks volumes about standards.
Sunday lunch
We were there for the Sunday lunch menu, and it didn’t take long for the food to justify the restaurant’s revitalised reputation.
We both started with the curried carrot soup of the day: a velvety, gently spiced bowl of comfort, paired with a miniature cottage‑loaf‑style bread roll that was as charming as it was delicious. It set the tone beautifully.
For my main, I chose the rump of lamb—served with garlic and herb roast potatoes, carrot and swede mash, fresh greens, maple‑roasted parsnips, a crisp Yorkshire pudding and beef jus. This was no carvery plate where everything blurs together. Every element earned its place.
The lamb was tender and full of flavour, but it didn’t overshadow the vegetables, which were sweet, bright, and cooked with real care. The roast potatoes were also exceptional. The Yorkshire pudding was enormous—crispy, fluffy, and frankly a triumph. If I were being picky, a small jug of extra jus wouldn’t have gone amiss, but that’s splitting hairs.
Vegetarian option
Across the table, the vegetarian option was a showstopper in its own right: a marinated harissa cauliflower steak with roasted lemon and chilli chickpeas, basil velouté and pomegranate. No imitation meat, no afterthought—just a bold, colourful, flavour‑packed dish.
My friend described it as a “punchy cocktail of zest and freshness,” and I couldn’t disagree that it looked amazing. In fact, it was good enough that I suspect many meat‑eaters would happily order it.
He said: "Many places try cauliflower steak and in a lot of instances it feels not much thought was put into it. Glad to say this was not the case. The sauce it came with was delicious and it was cooked perfectly all over. The flavours were perfectly balanced and I was surprised at just how well done it was."
Despite being full, we couldn’t resist dessert. The Biscoff cheesecake with honeycomb ice cream was indulgent without being heavy, while the warm chocolate brownie with burnt white chocolate and white‑chocolate ice cream was rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. Both were excellent.
As we left, it struck me how quickly the View has reclaimed its place as one of the standout dining spots in North Wales. The Marian Resort itself feels like a village—alpine touches, luxury lodges, boutique spas, and a sense of escape nestled between mountains and coast.
But it’s the restaurant, open to visitors as well as people enjoying the resort, that feels like its beating heart.
After everything, The View isn’t just back—it’s better than ever.
For anyone planning Mother’s Day, Easter get-togethers, or simply a long, indulgent Sunday lunch, I can’t think of a more elegant yet welcoming place to celebrate.
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