Sunday 13 January 2019

The Greek Spot, Cardiff restaurant review


January is a funny old month.

Many people seem to have a post-Christmas hangover and are avoiding booze, hunks of fatty meat, bricks of cheese and tubs of chocolate i.e. the foundation blocks of my diet.

So, whilst Mrs G is currently showing restraint, I’m constantly suggesting we go out for dinner and offering her a beer. Of course, this is all in the name of supporting local independent businesses at a quiet time of year.

On Saturday lunchtime, Mrs G finally caved in and agreed to go out for some grilled meat and salad.


The Greek Spot recently arrived on Whitchurch Road and it takes the number of Hellenic restaurants on the strip of Whitchurch Road, Crwys Road and City Road up to five (including the soon to open SouvLike).

A cafe-restaurant hybrid, the Greek Spot has a bright family friendly vibe. I’d be equally comfortable there munching on a light lunch or a hearty dinner washed down with a handful of bottles of Mythos.

The menu incorporates all of the Greek essentials including dolmades, meat balls, beef stifado, moussaka and homemade pies.

We kicked off with a bunch of mezze which were undoubtedly the high point of the meal.

Courgette fritters (£4) were properly crisp golden disks filled with a light and soft courgette mash seasoned with small bits of feta, chive and onion. They were a tiny bit on the greasy side but it was a lovely dish 


Little cheese pies were also top drawer (£4.30). Crisp filo triangles were loaded with an ooze of chive studded melted feta. 


A Greek salad (£6) was fresh and plentiful. It was topped with a brick of oregano scattered feta. 

 
The highlight of a generous mix of dips (£6) was tangy feta-laced and deceptively well-spiced tirokafteri. Enjoyably pink taramasalata and lightly smoked aubergine studded melintzanosalata were also good.


Mains didn’t hit the same level as starters but they were still enjoyable.

A pair of chicken souvlaki (£9) were brilliantly juicy but a little lacking on the seasoning front - a hit of herb or lemon juice wouldn’t have gone amiss. Accompaniments of bronzed hand-cut chips, fresh salad and dill-twanged tzatziki all hit the mark. 


A chicken gyros psomaki (£5) was described as made with “special bread” which actually turned out to be run of the mill hot baguette. 


This was still a tasty sandwich filled with crisp yet slightly dry chicken shavings which were lubricated by soft grilled halloumi, tzatziki and salad. 


Our friendly waiter, who had given us a beginners’ Greek lesson during the meal, brought a complimentary bowl of sweet and sour cherries to accompany the bill.


We had a very tasty lunch at The Greek Spot. I’d gladly return for a tableful of great value mezze.

The Details:

Address - The Greek Spot, 138 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff CF14 3LZ
Web - https://www.facebook.com/The-Greek-Spot-Cardiff-Ltd-408495939687635/
Telephone - 029 2065 4007




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