Choosing the perfect place for a romantic meal is never easy and this Valentine’s Day I had the extra consideration that my girlfriend had recently started a vegan diet following “Veganuary”. A couple of friends recommended Madison’s down Milford Waterfront because of their vegetarian and vegan menus from their “Green Genie” sister restaurant. It was already on my long list of Pembrokeshire eateries I wanted to visit, so I finally took the opportunity to do so.

For starters I went for a vegan option with “Creamy wild mushrooms with truffle oil and warm bread” and my girlfriend had the “Soup of the day”. As we waited we were brought out some bread with a selection of garlic and lava bread butters, with olives. 

I would not have known that my starter was vegan if I had not read the menu, with the bowl full of creamy rich flavour. As I reached the bottom of the bowl I was offered more bread to help polish off the sauce which was packed with delicious flavour.

We were greeted by warm, welcoming staff who were attentive and talkative between our courses. I enjoyed conversing with Neale, Maddison’s owner, about the various actors and musicians surrounding us as part of the restaurant’s decor. On our table, we had a small photo of Clark Gable, and Neale was impressed as I identified Marlene Dietrich to our side table, and jazz trumpeter Miles Davis up on the wall. As a huge film enthusiast, I loved the homely environment and the attention to detail from the Madison’s team, in particular from Neale and Hayden, which made us feel comfortable.

For our mains, I had “Pan-seared Hake” which came with a lava bread, cockle cream sauce, fondant potato and vegetable garnish. As a huge seafood fan this did not disappoint, in particular with the sauce which Neale shared my enthusiasm for, “I could bottle this up and drink it”. 

My girlfriend had the “Creamy pea and red onion risotto” which she also enjoyed, packed full of flavour like her starter. 

We didn’t have desserts this time, but I washed down my food with a couple of glasses of San Miguel, always a great draught lager. My girlfriend enjoyed a couple of cocktails which she said were some of the nicest she has ever had, first “Bogart’s Martini” containing Vanilla Vodka, Passoa, passionfruit, and fresh lime juice, served with a shot of Prosecco, then an Espresso Martini - premium vodka, Kahlua, espresso, sugar syrup to end the night.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable night with great food and cocktails, definitely somewhere I look forward to visiting again - this time to try the “Lamb two ways” - also enthusiastically recommended by Neale. Highly recommended with a bit of something for everyone.