One of Tenby’s most popular restaurant has closed its doors for the last time.
The Blue Ball on Upper Frog Street, which has been run by Debbie Neal and Mel Fairman since they teamed up in 2005 to create a casual bistro-style restaurant within the walled town, has served many famous faces down the years, including the likes of actor Bill Nighy and comedian Jack Whitehall.
Best friends since their college days, the duo who have worked together sharing their passion for cooking for over 35 years, made the announcement today (June 24) on Facebook.
“To our very dear customers, who have become friends, to our friends, who are like family, and to our family, who are awesome...we have decided the time is right to pursue other dreams and look further to the future, and we have decided now is the time to do it,” they said.
“We are immensely proud of what we have achieved and done over the past 17 years, we have nurtured and grown the Blue Ball Family, in which lasting relationships have been forged between us, our amazing staff and wonderful customers. These are bonds which will continue.
“The Ball has been a magical haven of great food, brilliant service, fun, laughter, celebration and love over the years. A place where you have munched your way through the dishes we were inspired by you to create. Love and passion goes into every plate that leaves our kitchen, and nothing has given us more joy over the years than the overwhelmingly positive feedback we have received.”
The establishment was voted the best restaurant in Pembrokeshire in 2013 and received a GOLD award; whilst it has consistently been listed in the TripAdvisor ‘Top 5 places to eat in Tenby’ - and to this day mentioned in the Lonely Planet guides as the best place to eat in Tenby.
“Whilst we are saying goodbye to our baby The Blue Ball, which is like waving your teenager off to university - with a very heavy heart, we, Deb and Mel, are very much looking forward to the future,” they continued.
“Keep your eyes peeled as who knows where ‘The Blue Ball’ May pop up next?!”
“The restaurant will continue when it opens in a couple of weeks as ‘Il Caminetto’ and we hope you will join us in wishing the new proprietors success and good luck, and hopefully they will go on to gain a name and a following in the beautiful town of Tenby, just as we have.
“We have met so many wonderful people through our Blue Ball journey - customers, staff, friends and family - have all been amazing this last 17 years, which has shaped us to be who we are today, and we thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. We are now ready for our next adventure and look forward to spending the future with as many of you as we can.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, to each and every one of you that made our dream come true back in 2005, and supported us for 17 years. We will see you again soon, somewhere!” they added.
