food/drink
THE NORTH STAR ***
11 North Road, Cardiff. 02 2062 00
This is an unexpected surprise, I thought, as I sat huddled in the corner of The
North Star’s intimate restaurant while swathes of students in matching t-shirts
looked on from the bar. The pristine venue was hosting its first pub crawl, and a
horde of chatty (but surprisingly polite) first-years had assembled on the thresh-
old of the restaurant to knock back shots and eagerly scrawl their numbers on
each other’s outfit.
A shame, because megaphones, Sambuca and lost dignity are not three things that
you would associate with The North Star. A chic, stylish bar and mellow restau-
rant full of neat touches, there is nothing quite like it in the area. Warm lighting,
friendly staff and an unpretentious drinks list prevent it from feeling intimidating
DAY: Great Coffee, Freshly Made Food, Amazing Brownies
The North Star, formerly The Maindy Pub, is a converted
Welsh Music Award winning club offering some of the best
and should ensure a diverse clientele of students and locals alike.
NIGHT: Live Music, Acoustic Nights, Jazz Nights, DJs,
boutique Victorian pub on North Road, With a huge open
live music in town. Plus mouthwatering homemade stone
The menu of largely Italian dishes was simple, homemade, and good value, relying
Private Hire, 1am License
heated courtyard, drinks lounge, live music stage, an italian
baked pizza and pasta and inventive new cocktails, including
on its use of fresh ingredients for impact. To start, I opted for the bruschetta
open kitchen serving the best pizzas, pastas and grill dishes.
their Barry Island Ice Tea!
(£2.90), which was light and uncomplicated. My friend’s Italian sausage pan-fried
SPECIAL EVENING OFFERS
SPECIAL OFFER
with onion, garlic, chilli, white wine and fresh spinach (£3.90) was delicious. We MON: 12” Pizza + 2 Pints just £10
SPECIAL OFFER Any pizza or pasta £5 before 9pm.
both followed this with pizza – mine roasted peppers, aubergine, artichoke and THURS: £2 a pint and £2 on selected drinks
Buy one meal and get one free Mon-Fri between 12pm and Cocktails 2 for £5.50 before 9pm.
5pm. NUS discount is also available. Free entry to weekend gigs before 11pm.
mushroom (£6.50), and his rocket, parma ham and buffalo mozzarella (£8.50). The
bases were light and yielding, and the toppings generous. Strawberry and mint
GWDIHW (GOODY-HOO) THE NORTH STAR TOUCAN
cheesecake (£3.95) and tiramisu (£3.95) to follow were yummy but not divine.
Brimming with atmosphere, warmth and potential, it is only a matter of time 1
6 Guildford Crescent, Cardiff
2
131 North Road, Blackweir
029 2039 7933
www.gwdihw.co.uk
3
Womanby Street, Cardiff
before The North Star secures a reputation for itself as a hidden gem amongst the
www.thenorthstarcardiff.com
www.toucancardiff.co.uk
corner shops and takeaways of North Road. BEN BRYANT
pic: NATALIA POPOVA
THE NEW CONWAY PUB *****
4
Conway Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff. Info: 02 2022 7
“Our way is the simple way. Seasonal, fresh and local” is the statement that personi-
fies The New Conway. The once weary drinking den in the heart of Pontcanna has now
been lovingly transformed into a sophisticated gastropub. Bursting with quirky furni-
ture and people friendly bookcases, you can easily find a comfy chair or cosy corner to
ROATH
enjoy one of the many board games whilst perusing the daily changing menu.
2
7
Stefan Nilsson of Woods Brasserie has been whisked across to preside over and bring
a touch of personality into the carefully selected menu, as well as being responsible
W
A
TERLOO
RD
for quality control. Crispy saffron mozzarella risotto balls with a tomato compote,
CIVIC
CENTRE
and an incredibly light grilled goats cheese with citric courgette and chilli salad
arrived as our starters, followed by hake pan-fried with grilled courgettes, goats
8
Queen St
cheese, black olive tapenade and organic chicken stuffed with truffle mousse served
CASTLE
Station
with sautéed potatoes and spinach in a brandy sauce. The entire meal was expertly
With a tasty selection of food on offer and 2 4 1 cocktails If you fancy something a bit stronger than a hot cuppa with
between 5pm and 8pm, Steam is guaranteed to impress all. 3 your food then don’t despair, as a wide range of alcohol,
presented and incredible. Perhaps a little too rich for me as a lunchtime meal, but
CITY
1
including three specialist beers, wine, and some awesome
the quality was unmistakable, nonetheless. Stefan ventured out of his kingdom for a
SPECIAL OFFER
5
CENTRE Bloody Marys are served. Open 9am til late.
STADIUM
chat and insisted we try the strawberries with cream, strawberry mousse, jelly and
Send an email to
kirsty.pearson@hilton.com quoting ‘Buzz
homemade shortbread. Map’ and you’ll be sent a privilege card giving you 20%
6
Central
Station SPECIAL OFFER
The space dust, which was sprinkled everywhere, was an unexpected surprise, and
discount on food & drink, unlimited visits, anytime! Free homemade muffin/tiffin/Rocky Road with any drink
that familiar popping at the back of the throat was a blast from the past that suited
when y
OSCARS B
ou mention the Buzz Map.
STEAM BAR
AR &
the dessert perfectly. A fun and interesting finale to a superb lunch.
RIVER
Cardiff Bay
AY THÉ POT
Mains and a shared starter for two with soft drinks came to around £45.
TAFF
Station
HEMMINGW
RD
ANTONIA LEVAY
8
The Friary, Cardiff
029 2064 6369
CARDIFF
4
138 Crwys Road, Cardiff
WMC 029 2025 1246
www.thepotcafe.co.uk
BAY
THE PROMISED LAND *****
pic: NATALIA POPOVA
Windsor Place, Cardiff. Info: 02 20
‘Life is a journey; along the journey you need friends, food and great music,’ is the
opening gambit of Promised Land’s menu. Owned and run by Nick and Beverley,
both music lovers struggling to find decent restaurants offering unpretentious
food, good music and great service, they bravely decided to open their own place.
After twelve months their hard work is paying off.
The Promised Land is the clandestine, cosy venue in which touring bands/super-
stars hang out after gigs (check out the website and walls for proof). It’s already
established itself as cool, laid back, friendly and an essentially great place for food
and music.
We were treated to a humungous mezze platter (£7.95 for one; £15 for two): a com-
bination of hummus, aubergine, baba ganoush, tzatziki, roasted sweet peppers,
crudités and artichoke hearts, a selection of smoked and cured fish, and locally
baked bread. This feast alone would have been enough, but having been steered
Opposite Millennium Stadium and located on the banks of the Cardiff’s best loved cocktail bar, with happy hour on cocktails
towards the classics we went for the ‘legendary’ Elephant burger (homemade with Eat in - takeaway - home delivery
Taff, Tafarn serves quality food with a traditional Welsh flavour all until 8pm every day - and all day and night on a Wednesday.
welsh beef to a secret recipe) and double-cooked fries (£6.50), and the Welsh ale-
day and drinks from around the world. Perfect for those cheeky cocktails after work.
Monday - Sunday 12-10:30pm
battered fish and chips (£7) – also homemade, using the famous Otley Ale. Note
SPECIAL OFFER
the Welsh theme here. All produce is sourced locally and, from small independents
SPECIAL OFFER
www.noodle-box.co.uk
If you mention the Buzz Map to the lovely people at Tafarn,
Like tapas? Well make the most of Pica’s amazing food with
where possible. By now we were ready to explode and couldn’t manage a dessert, they’ll knock off 10% from any food and drink orders.
six dishes for only £15 until 6pm every day - and all day and
but chocolate tart (£3.50) and sticky toffee pudding sit nicely among a few care- night on a Tuesday.
fully picked favourites.
The Promised Land is a friendly and genuinely fun place to go, run by caring
NOODLEBOX
TAFARN @ NOSDA
PICA PICA
owners and very pleasant staff – traits that some other places should take note of.
62 Salisbury Road, Cathays, Cardiff
7
ANTONIA LEVAY
029 2025 1007
6
53-59 Despenser St, Riverside, Cardiff
029 2037 8866
www.nosda.co.uk
5
Westgate St, Cardiff
029 2034 5703
www.picapicacardiff.com
BUZZ
october 2009.indd 38 25/9/09 15:17:30
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