One of Sketty's best-known restaurants has closed its doors for the final time after more than a decade in business, although the team behind Slice is already preparing to welcome customers to a new venture just around the corner.
Slice, the small but highly regarded restaurant at 73–75 Eversley Road, served its final customers on Sunday 25th October, bringing an end to a successful chapter for owners and chefs Adam Bannister and Chris Harris.
The restaurant, which had just 16 covers, earned a reputation far beyond Sketty for its modern British cuisine, regularly changing menus and carefully prepared dishes. It was featured in both the prestigious Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide, becoming one of Swansea's most celebrated dining establishments.
Bannister, who trained alongside Harris at Gower College Swansea, also represented Wales on the BBC's Great British Menu in 2015 and 2016. Both chefs previously worked under Michelin-starred chef Stephen Terry at The Hardwick in Abergavenny.
The decision to close was first announced in June, with the owners explaining that the demands of running an evening and weekend restaurant had become increasingly difficult to balance with family life. Harris was also due to undergo heart surgery, prompting changes to the restaurant's service during its final months.
Following the last service, the team shared an emotional farewell with customers.
"Last night, we served our final customers, switched off the ovens, and closed the doors to Slice for the last time," they wrote.
Reflecting on 14 years of memories, they thanked the customers who had supported the business, recommended it to others and become part of its story.
While the closure marks the end of Slice in its familiar form, the owners have confirmed that they are preparing to open Slice Eatery, a new premises on Gower Road in Sketty.
Computer generated image of what Slice Eatery will look like.
The new business will take a different approach to the fine-dining restaurant, concentrating instead on freshly baked bread, cakes, tarts, desserts, handmade chocolates, coffee, breakfasts and savoury food. Customers will be able to sit in, take food away or pick up freshly made products to enjoy at home.
The owners have promised to retain the same emphasis on quality ingredients and traditional preparation, while creating a more relaxed setting suited to everyday visits.
Explaining the thinking behind the new venture, they said: "We loved what we built, but the demands of evenings and weekends meant we were missing too much time with our young families."
They have also thanked Beacon Cymru for its support in providing the premises for the new business.
The move will keep the Slice name in Sketty, with the new location just a short distance from the original restaurant. It also means customers who might previously have visited for a special occasion will soon have an opportunity to enjoy the team's cooking in a more informal setting.
No opening date has yet been confirmed for Slice Eatery, with the owners acknowledging that there is still plenty of work to complete before they can welcome their first customers.
For Sketty, the closure means saying goodbye to a restaurant that brought national recognition to an otherwise unassuming spot on Eversley Road. Fortunately, it seems the familiar faces behind Slice will not be going very far.
