Summer Tasting Menu at Park House Cardiff

As a belated birthday treat for my husband, we went to the fine-dining restaurant Park House in Cardiff, to sample their 7 course tasting menu.  We've been to their cocktail bar before, but this was the first time that we'd been to the restaurant, housed in a grand gothic building.  We'd booked an early table, as we'd spent the day shopping for vintage goodies in the street market and were both famished by 6 o'clock.  It's a formal place, so for once we weren't overdressed!

Truffle Swansea Restaurant Review

Recently I had the pleasure of attending Truffle Swansea's opening night, for a friend's birthday dinner.  Truffle has been taken over by very capable new hands, and after a fabulous refurbishment has opened its doors again.  I passed by the venue earlier in the afternoon and was a bit concerned to see work still in progress.  I hesitantly queried with one of the workmen if the venue was indeed opening that night, which he jovially affirmed whilst confiding that it was a hectic, last-minute push to get it all done.  Sure enough, bang on 5:30pm and the doors were flung open and they were ready for their customers.

Benugo Comes to Cardiff

We're spoilt for choice with places to eat and drink in Cardiff city centre, but it's sometimes a struggle finding somewhere for a quick lunch that has that holy grail of decent food, central location and free wi-fi.  You might not know that the café on the first floor in John Lewis has changed hands and had a bit of a facelift.  London chain Benugo have branched out into Wales with this café, bringing their American deli style sandwiches and salads, and a good range of teas and coffees.  The John Lewis team recently invited some bloggers to try out the menu, and I popped along after work.

The range of food includes quite a few salads, including Moroccan style ones and a really lovely tomato salad.  I wish more places did reasonable salads for lunch, as I know I'm not alone in not eating bread regularly.  As for the sandwiches, these are deli style and are a bit more interesting than most cafes, again with some Moroccan flavours or American deli combinations.

Mãe Maria Portuguese Restaurant Cardiff Review

It's been a while since I've reviewed any local restaurants, but I have a special one to write about today.  Mãe Maria is a new Portuguese restaurant and deli, in Canton, Cardiff.  They had their grand opening last week, and I was pleased to get an invitation.  I went with my husband, and we were treated to an impressive spread of tapas and main dishes, along with some wine tasting.  It felt quite festive also, as the restaurant had their Christmas decorations up.

Steak of the Art Cardiff Review

I'm a carnivore that loves a nice steak.  I love art too.  What better way to combine the two than to visit Steak of the Art, a new restaurant in Cardiff that's opened up on Churchill Way?

Red Hot Buffet World Cardiff Review

I was delighted to win a meal for two at Cardiff's Red Hot Buffet World, as part of my runner's up prize from Capital FM at St David's Ladies Night, for not winning the big prize of a trip to New York.  Who needs New York, when you can travel the world's cuisine in one restaurant?

Looking at their website, I was impressed with the range of dishes on offer, with a good offering of vegetarian options, gluten free, halal, etc.  I eat low carb and it seemed from the website that this wasn't going to be a problem at all.

I then read lots of online reviews, and my delight turned to trepidation.  A free meal, is nonetheless a free meal, and so I thought we had better find out for ourselves what the experience was like.