We tried the freshly reopened pub on the 'best beach in North Wales'

The last few years have been particularly trying time for those in the hospitality industry as between lockdowns, staffing issues and rising costs many have been forced to close down for good. So in the wake of these challenging times it is good to see some positive news coming through, with one pub making a heroic comeback.

In this case The Toad on West Promenade, between Rhos-on-Sea and Colwyn Bay, suffered an arson attack last September forcing the venue to close for repairs. The pub has now re-opened after a busy nine months getting itself repaired after pub group Admiral Taverns spent £200K on the site, allowing it to re-open on recently dubbed best beach in North Wales.

This positive outcome after a trying time will ideally offer some hope to fans of the Gaerwen Arms in Anglesey, which recently suffered from a major fire. Back in Colwyn Bay through, the freshly reopened Toad has given the team a new lease of life, so we thought we'd pop down to give it a go.

The pub sits quite prominently in a unique location overlooking the beach of Rhos-on-Sea, the main entryway and dining floor raised to easily look above the traffic of the road. Inside it holds much of the character it did before the attack, with the added bonus of everything looking fresh and new.

Given it was only the second day since reopening, the bar wasn't too busy as I stepped in, which involves a bit of a hike up a staircase, an exercise easier on the way up than on the way down I would imagine. I was quickly offered a table which I gratefully took, as when I'd set out to visit the venue I wasn't quite sure what to expect, a relaxed pub setting or more of a pub diner. It turned out to be the latter.

The Toad, Colwyn Bay. (Image: Christopher Davies / North Wales Live)

Not wanting to miss the opportunity to try the place out then - especially after I was shown the menu - I decided I might as well at least have a main to go with my drink. The trouble was the waitress then told me about the bacon fat butter that came with the sourdough, so suddenly I had to try that for a starter too.

Even if she hadn't told me that, I'd have had a hard time trying to persuade myself not to pick a starter off the menu, just as I did when I glanced at the mains. Not one of them didn't seem tempting. In the end I opted for the pan fried chicken supreme, with a whole heap of extras that I'll get to in a bit.

The interior is fresh but maintains a similar feeling. (Image: Christopher Davies / North Wales Live)

But here I am waffling on about food, and I've not even told you about the bar, which is what I imagine most of you are here for. Well good news on that front as well, the bar has a solid collection of ales, beers and everything else you could wish for, alongside an extensive wine list - for those slightly more elegant than me.

To those just looking for a drink, the location is a perfect spot to grab a pint and head back outside to the beer garden, which sits overlooking the coast, beach, sea and beyond. Had the weather not been so decidedly Welsh summer (rain) then I might have considered sitting out there too.

Sourdough with bacon fat butter. (Image: Christopher Davies / North Wales Live)

Meanwhile, back at my table I had begun smearing my bacon fat butter on to my sourdough, which safe to say, did not last too long. This was down to two reasons, it was incredibly tasty but there were only two slices, for a £5 'Nibbles' dish I would have appreciated a couple more slices to enjoy the butter on.

Still this minor gripe didn't put me off my excitement for my main, which arrived soon after. The presentation of the dish was superb from the off, and must could have easily been taken off the set of MasterChef, and I'm happy to report the taste was the same.

The Pan Fried Chicken Supreme. (Image: Christopher Davies / North Wales Live)

With an eclectic mix of flavours from the chicken, brown butter mash and chicken jus, to the crispy bacon and onion bits sprinkled on the charred cabbage with pickled red onion gel, the whole dish was a smorgasbord of flavours. I didn't dare waste any, had I not been in a public place I'd have been so inclined to lick the plate clean, just to savour the taste.

At this point I was committed, and knew I would have try to a dessert to round out the experience. I opted for a crusted lemon cake with crème diplomat and a sour lemon jelly, which in turn became another taste sensation, with each part offering a different level of texture and taste, slowly building as you added each part to the next, finishing with a satisfying crescendo.

Crusted lemon cake with crème diplomat and a sour lemon jelly. (Image: Christopher Davies / North Wales Live)

Frankly speaking this turned out to be some of the best food I'd had all year, and to think I'd only original planned to pop in a pint and quick lunch. One thing's for certain though, the Toad may have only just come back, but it is certainly stronger than ever.