The Armless Dragon

Koroviev

The Charmless Dragon 14th June 2009

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Last night our party of three darkened the door of the Armless Dragon.

We were greeted with grimaces by two waitresses, and directed to a table, set in the sort of decor that could best be described as well used, and at worst, cruelly laid to waste by the ravages of time.

In no time at all, three bowls of complimentary leek and potato soup were plonked down on the table, allowing us to whet our palates with a broth which could only have been born in a can and ended its life brutally executed in a microwave.
At this point, I was thinking we should leave. I don't think I was the only one.

Wine was ordered, and without ceremony our bottle of 1er cru Chablis was torn open, and sloshed into cheap glasses (the ones from your local bowls club with the imperial measurements) with little attention.
With prices like these, surely they could invest in some decent glasses.

My starter was the Perl Las & Pear Tart with Toasted Walnut.
An item which could have had some potential had it not apparently been accidentally toasted upside down, with the result that the base was as solid as granite and the contents on top pale and drawn.
My companions both had the Cawl, which we suspected consisted of water flavoured with more water. Gulag quality stuff.

The vacuous middle-of-the-road music burbling out of the stereo system did nothing at this point to add to the restaurant's charm.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more...
Two plates of Woodland Mushroom Ravioli, and one Mountain Lamb Rump with Smoked Potato.
I won't go into any great detail about these delicasies as words fail me.
Well, all except one. Tesco.

We declined the offer of dessert, added £10 gratuity (God only knows why) and exited £105 lighter than we did one hour earlier.

I wish I could be less harsh, but the fact that the Armless Dragon offered us so very little for so much singles it out for particular criticism.

I suggest a change of name - The Charmless Dragon.

markturner

Not the best 20th February 2009

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The Welsh-themed food is good, if expensive, but the rest is poor.

The layout is cramped and awkward and the service is slow and we were brought the wrong bottle of wine twice, despite pointing on the menu and quoting the number! We were happy to drink the first one we were brought as long as they charged us for the one we asked for (a pound cheaper) but they were having none of it and promptly opened up another completely different bottle to what we wanted.

I think frankly it's pretty difficult to mess up that badly, but the staff here managed it, and having to wait so long for a drink really soured the already mediocre experience. Combined with the price, this makes it very difficult to recommend.

bron99

Amazed 9th December 2008

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On my only ever visit to Cardiff a couple of weeks ago so my brother and my man could go to the rugby I searched desperately to find somewhere that sounded good online for lunch before kick off. I found the Armless Dragon.

Off the train into the freezing streets we wandered off in the general direction of the restaurant through streets initially broad and lined with magnificent buildings. Ten minutes later we were a little more hesitant as the streets were narrow and decidedly skanky to the point where I was glad my first foray was in daylight.

Then we arrived! And still I was not entirely reassured - not exactly lux. But the woman who greeted us was lovely, showed us to our table amongst all the other patrons - also looking for prematch sustenance. And what sustenance we had.

Ordered the scallops because they came with laver bread. There were six thick discs atop a slick of melted parsley butter with the aforementioned laverbread. They were possibly the best scallops I have ever eaten - succulent centres with a burnished outer and utterly sweet. Wow! The Australian element of the contingent were thoroughly impressed.

Mains were slightly less amazing but very good nonetheless. Rare welsh beef was perfectly judged but a little underseasoned, the mushrooms were lovely though the quails egg was cooked too long. The crisped air dried ham garnish was divine.

Bara brith with whisky custard was a comforting warm spicy finish to a very very good meal.

Not cheap, but really good value.

PS Wales won.

NRK

Could do better... 10th September 2008

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We ate here a few months ago and we’ve eaten here a number of times previously. I must admit to being quite disappointed with this recent visit, after being quite happy on other occasions. We’ve had the Earth, Sea and Land starters mentioned in other reviews before and quite enjoyed them, but they didn’t seem to be on offer on the evening we attended. I ordered a starter of Scallops with lardons of smoked Pork Belly. When it arrived, I was very disappointed to see that “scallops” consisted of one scallop cut into three thin slices. The taste was excellent, but at £6.50 (?), I think it reasonable to expect more than one scallop. The complimentary soup (cauliflower) was good, and we enjoyed it even though it’s something I guess I wouldn’t normally order. All in all, it’s OK, but for the price they charge and the location it’s in I expect better.

ro616

Themed welsh cuisine.. 3rd September 2008

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The dingy setting of Cathays-the student quarter of Cardiff-belies the classiness of this Welsh-themed restaurant. And Wales isn’t the only theme on offer here. For the first course instead of the usual al-a-carte offerings you are presented with earth, air, sea or fire. You can probably make a decent stab at the sea option, but you’ll have to enquire further for the other three. Or just pick blindly and have the chef surprise you. I guess this sort of thing is passé in London, but for a backwater like Cardiff it’s a revelation! Overall the food was good, but as a vegetarian I was forced into the usual goat’s cheese [blank.] Expensive but decent.

vjm63

Reasonable - an occasional treat 31st August 2008

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We ate here several months ago, and I enjoyed it. The restaurant is not big, sand was not crowded or noisy.

The meal did last a whole evening, really - we had the set menu, and the courses arrived with plenty of time between them, so we could talk and not rush the food.

The food itself was good, and the set menu meant we tried things we would not normally have eaten - so it was an interesting and relaxed meal. I must admit I would not be desperate to go there again in a hurry - although I enjoyed it, it was quite expensive compared to our normal meals.

Overall - worth going for a luxury treat, but not likely to be a normal meal out.

dbuk44

Doesnt live up to expectations 22nd August 2008

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We ate once at the Armless Dragon as it looked to offer something different. 'hearty food', 'Authentic Welsh dishes', 'Warm atmosphere' were among the comments I found.

However, Dissapointing and Dissatisfied are the only two words that I can take away with me.

The premises are set in what appears to be a circa early 80s red brick modern pub thats been via a cheap house extension to the staff catering room that it come across as today. The choice, comfort and finish of the furniture do it no favours.

The staff were welcoming, sweet and friendly, but unfortunately our waitress that evening had not even mastered the minimum basics of the trade making simple mistakes which were just unacceptable, bringing a new knife and glasses to table holing it by the blade and with her thumb and forefinger holding the glasses. Neither her nor her colleague could explain the items on the menu or open a bottle of wine. They apologised with a giggle and shrug....

The food presentaion was below the standards I was expecting. More pub grub then creative fair. The food was indeed simple and tasty but far from outstanding and the place is so desperately trying to be. Our lamb was tough and dry. My guests dishes weren't seasoned properly and none of our meat dishes were cooked as ordered. The vegetables were also overcooked and poorly prepared.

I cannot recomend this restaurant because it failed for me on so many levels but I may of been unlucky the night I went, but with so much competition in Cardiff these days. I would need to hear a postive review from a very respected source before I would give this place another try.

Tess1

Stylish, thoughtful, contemporary 11th March 2008

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The Armless Dragon is a stylish restaurant, which offers a delightful menu of modern Welsh cuisine. I particularly like the starters (you choose Earth, Sea or Land, and get a selection of little starters based on that theme). The main courses are nice, but I would say they are the least exciting aspect of the dinner. This is mostly because I think the vegetable are not as good as the meat/fish accompanying. The desserts are always delicious and well presented. You can tell there is a lot of thinking behind each dish, with delicate combinations of tastes and textures. The menu changes seasonally. The wine list is extensive and good. I would definately recommend this restaurant to food lovers, and people who are looking for something a bit more refined.

nathanwoolls

Not too bad, not too great 7th February 2008

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Quite pricey, and they ran out of Stella!