I HAD long been intrigued by the prospect of an authentic German cafe here in North Wales.
So when a "Snakes, Shakes and Cakes" event was advertised at C&T Cafe & Bistro in Bodelwyddan, I jumped at the opportunity to try some of the food being served.
On entering, I felt the place was very welcoming, almost like walking into someone's home - and the smell of freshly-baked bread and cakes was near intoxicating.
There were many regulars who were greeted like old friends, but newbies like me here for the event were also given a warm welcome.
There was even a puppy loose in the dog-friendly eatery, which was a bonus for an animal lover like me.
In hindsight, I wish I'd been more adventurous and gone for one of the German dishes, but I was in the mood for a traditional cooked breakfast.
I also had a late, which was made with soya milk at my request.
The cooked breakfast was good, very good in fact.
The fried egg was one of the best I've ever had, with a rich, unctuous yolk.
MORE: Chance to meet snakes while enjoying cakes at Bodelwyddan cafe
The meal came with a thick slice of buttered freshly-baked bread instead of toast, which was an inspired addition to mop up the egg or beans, or improvise a bacon sandwich.
The bacon was really good, cooked well so that it has a crispness and deep salty flavour.
The hash browns were pleasantly crisp on the outside and fluffy in the middle.
All in all, one of the better cooked breakfasts I've had.
I couldn't visit the cafe without trying some of their famous cakes.
I opted for a to go box with a selection of cakes that I later shared with my sister and niece (honest!)
The cakes and pasties are next level in terms of quality. A delightful spectrum of textures from crisp pastry to velvety cream and custard.
The addition of blueberry to some of the cakes gave an unexpected zing, while some of the cakes were almost like a set dessert.
I can only highly recommend the cakes, which are baked fresh every day, with that day's wares shared on the cafe's social media.
At the heard of the cafe is Tanya Bauer, a chef and artisan baker who has brought a slice of her homeland to North Wales.
She began making cakes during lockdown and, due to the response, took the plunge to open the cafe.
Locals have taken the cuisine to heart, with the German favourites schnitzel and bratwurst being particularly popular.
I will definitely be returning to try them.
C&T Cafe and Bistro is situated at the entrance to Kinmel Bay Golf Club.
As well as the cakes on offer each day, the Sunday dinners with a difference served up every week are shared on the cafe's social media.
At the heart of the community it serves, the cafe holds regular events like Snakes, Shakes and Cakes, and recently invited locals to authentically celebrate Oktoberfest.
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