Arbennig, Pontcanna, Cardiff restaurant review

It’s been a couple of years since my last visit to Pontcanna's Arbennig and the menu is still packed with interesting seasonal dishes including octopus with smoked aubergine and braised blade of Welsh beef with turnips, pickled mushrooms, king cabbage and bone marrow.

This time we visited for the great value set lunch menu that offers 2 courses for £15.95 or 3 courses for £19.95.

To start, a trio of light finely-textured fragrant Thai-style fishcakes were dressed in a sticky, not too sweet and sour glaze scattered with sesame seeds. Crisp leaves, pink pickled onions and sour cream provided balance to the plate.

Golden crumbed pucks of seriously meaty shredded mutton and haggis were served with a creamy root vegetable slaw and smokey slightly acidic walnut puree which cut through the richness of its accompaniments.

A meat-packed main comprised of a pair of plump middlewhite pork sausages and a big porky rissole thwacked with juniper and sage. Glossy caramelised onion gravy, buttery mash and a generous scattering of crisp onions completed the dish.

Mussels weren’t the plumpest of specimens and a few were on the gritty side but they were bathed in a lovely lemony and buttery sauce.

Their accompanying french fries were impeccable.

Truffled mac and cheese was a lovely plate of comfort food. The huge bowl of pasta was coated in a velvety cheese sauce fragranced with just the right amount of truffle and flecked with soft sweet confit onions and pieces of kale. Crispy kale and onions provided welcome crunch.

We had a bit of a wait for dessert but it was worth it. Light vanilla cream, crumbled oat biscuits, golden honeycomb and sweet and sharp lemon curd was a bowl of tasty things.

A dollop of airy and not too sweet chocolate mousse was accompanied by hot and tender caramelised roast pear, warming pieces of stem ginger and a crunchy chocolate crumb.

We had a really tasty and good value lunch at Arbennig. If you haven’t tried their interesting comfort food yet then add it to your list of places to visit.

The Details:

Address - Arbennig,  6-10 Romilly Crescent, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9NR
Telephone - 029 2034 1264
Web - http://www.arbennig.co.uk/ 

Mint and Mustard, Cardiff South Indian restaurant review

Mint and Mustard’s restaurant on Whitchurch Road is where it all began for high end South Indian cooking in Cardiff.

Whilst I’m a huge fan of Anand George’s Purple Poppadom and have had lovely meals at Dill Jeera, Chutney Roti, and Chai Street, I’ve been back to Mint & Mustard more times than anywhere else. As well the consistently lovely cooking, its proximity to Penylan helps provide an explanation.

Taking advantage of a great value voucher deal, Mrs and G and I feasted on tasting menu 2 (normally £36.95 a head).

A trio of starters kicked ass - a good wodge of soft, smokey and creamy tikka paneer was spiced with mustard and honey; a bronzed tiger prawn was coated in a punchy paste of kashmiri chilli and turmeric; and a juicy turkey seekh kebab zinged with fresh coriander. 

A little pot of lemon sorbet was just the right side of sharp and sweet. 

Mains were a triumph.

Dhaba murgh saw pieces of tender chicken tikka cooked in a rich tomato sauce fragrant with garlic, ginger and coriander. 

A whopper of a tandoori king prawn was sweet of flesh and licked with smoke.

Majestic lamb was a deep flavoured dish of yielding meat in well-spiced gravy.

A light and fresh tarka dhal was tempered beautifully with garlic, cumin, onion and tomato. 

Steamed basmati rice was as fluffy as it gets. 

Perfectly soft naans were brushed with butter - there was a mix of sweet coconut stuffed peshwari and tomato, coriander and red onion topped varieties.

The chocomosa is a classic for a reason. A crisp filo pastry triangle oozed hot chocolate ganache and was balanced by a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a piece of caramel topped banana.

We had an ace meal at Mint & Mustard. If you’re looking for first rate Southern Indian food then you're always in safe hands.

The Details:

Address - Mint and Mustard, 134 Whitchurch Road, Cardiff, CF14 3LZ
Web - http://www.mintandmustard.com/locations/cardiff/

Telephone - 029 2062 0333