You know what it’s like, you need to book a place to eat for you and your mates on a Friday night and instantly forget the list of restaurants as long as your arm that you’ve been meaning to try for yonks.
Well in this instance I did not forget about one destination, located at Dinas Powys golf club in the Vale of Glamorgan , because I’d been itching to dine there for at least a year, maybe more.
One O’Clock Gate is the spot to visit if you love really well-thought-out flavour combinations made with carefully-thought-out ingredients. The cuisine theme at One O’Clock Gate, named as such after a local landmark, leans heavily on the hugely influential Asian flavour palate which seems to be all the rage at the moment.
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But far from capitalising on the current trend of sweet v sour v spicy and tart, sticky and crisps, One O’Clock Gate executes its created dishes with aplomb.
I’d see their burgers making people drool over social and couldn’t wait to get stuck in. So will do that right now.
On a busy Friday night service, when I was just there for a girls’ dinner, not to review, the destination restaurant served up one of the most delicious burgers I’ve ever tasted. And, I’ve eaten a fair few to be perfectly honest. For the latest restaurant news and reviews, sign up to our food and drink newsletter here
I chose their Korean burger (£19.95) which comes with fries and smokey gochujang aioli and some panko cauliflower (£8.95) and cucumber salad (£5.95) to share with my equally excited friends who came with me.
The Korean is a stack of Korean fried chicken, gochujang, cheese, slaw pickles and mayo in a shiny, toasted, fluffy bun. Gochujang is a thick, fermated paste made from red chillies and is an amazing addition to the wider food scene in this country, it just elevates any dish it’s used with. I love it, it’s a little bit sweet and a little tart and makes sure this Korean chicken dish ticks all the boxes.
The chicken itself is outstanding, the coating has a substantial crunch but doesn’t overwhelm the meat, it’s also evenly drenched with sauciness. So a crunchy, saucy slab of chicken and said chicken was succulent inside the crisp exterior. If you’re into finding top level Korean chicken, or just fried chicken, I hope you’re planning on checking out One O’Clock Gate if you haven’t already. Other favourites of late include Brother Thai’s efforts in Whitchurch Road, Cardiff and Parallel’s small plate in the capital’s centre.
To contrast with the unctuous, saucy crunch of the main character filling, the slaw and pickles were the perfect layer for the burger.
The only challenge to this burger was getting all the elements in one bite, but I”m sure it can be done!
The cauli and cucumber sides were a desperate attempt by me to feel this meal out wasn’t overly deliciously indulgent, but, the cauliflower was covered in honey and panko breadcrumbs, so obviously lush. A lovely crunch and the seasame and chive elevated the flavours. I really enjoyed the cucumber which was dressed with chilli, lime, soy, mint and seasame – that combo on your everyday salad item also produced an effectively tasty side that provided a freshness to the meal that was needed with the heavier burgers and fries. I would have preferred the cucumber to be cut a little smaller but that’s just preference rather than a criticism.
So I was over the moon to both finally try out One O’Clock Gate’s menu and that it was such a cool place to visit with a great menu, it has an amazing cocktail menu with regular specials and the service was swift, friendly and informed. If you don’t dig a fried chicken burger then they have solid favourites like the bulgogi or Sichuan beef and plant based Korean or cauliflower burgers.
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Its location is great, too, it’s part of Dinas Powys Golf Club, but it’s a contemporary and airy room, with uncomplicated but fresh decor which is separate to the main venue. You don’t feel like you’re tucked away in a Welsh village but equally that is a huge part of the appeal, I think. And if you visit in the day – they operate as a cafe, too – you can walk the nearby salmon leaps iand explore the VoG countryside.
I’m determined to revisit as soon as I can (and take better pictures!) and would say that if it’s already on your list to book into, bump it right up the chain. I’m fuming it’s taken me so long to get there.
One O’clock Gate, Highwalls Road, Dinas Powys, CF64 4AJ
