Latest favourites and wishlist by Madafi

Cafe Mina - review by happywithlife

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:12:31 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by happywithlife

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: expensive, family & home feel, middle eastern

The best thing about CafÃ© Mina is the atmosphere. From the moment you walk in the door, the staff at CafÃ© Mina are effortlessly friendly, making you feel very much at home. It is usually busy with a real mixture of ages, but the overall feeling is always of a cosy family party.

The dimly-lit room with its Arabic wall-hangings and photographs form the best-imaginable backdrop for a truly delicious meal, with a menu packed with delicious mezze and Lebanese-style dishes.

A short walk out of town leads to this Middle Eastern paradise! The prices are a little on the steep side, but for the ambience and tasty food, itâ¬"s worth paying that little bit extra.

Cafe Mina - review by kaardiff_boy

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 21:35:24 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by kaardiff_boy

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: middle eastern

The menu concentrates on Lebanese dishes but thereâ¬"s sufficient choice to cater for most palettes. None of the dishes weâ¬"ve tried on our 6 visits there have been too spicy, and my kids (9 & 14) love it. I canâ¬"t agree with Madafi that itâ¬"s not child-friendly, but I guess raucous kids might be intrusive in a small restaurant. You canâ¬"t go wrong with the couscous, and the garlic mushrooms are heavenly. The service is good, but not over-attentive, and itâ¬"s a relaxing place to eat. I wouldnâ¬"t say that itâ¬"s cheap, but you feel that youâ¬"ve had good value. It gets very busy on weekends, so you may want to book.

Cafe Mina - review by NRK

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 11:12:57 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by NRK

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: lively, family & home feel, cheap eat, middle eastern, good value, crowded, romantic

Iâ¬"m probably a little under qualified for this review, having only visited on one occasion, but we had a lovely meal at the time. CafÃ© Mina is on Crwys Road, fairly close to the Spar at the corner of Woodville Road. Traditional Lebanese hot and cold mixed meze for a starter was a great way to get a little taste of a lot of different dishes and the hummus and pita were delicious. The tagine that followed for a main course was also superb with very tender lamb in a subtly spicy piquant sauce. The atmosphere is cosy and intimate and the staff were helpful and friendly.

Cafe Mina - review by dbuk44

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:09:51 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by dbuk44

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: romantic, good value, mediterranean

Delicious Lebanese food at reasonable prices! The selection of hot and cold mezzes is wonderful!

I would like to highly recommend Cafe Minas on Crwys Rd, Cathays for its absolutely fantastic food. When we went we had a delicious selection of traditional Lebenese starters, and then some of the gorgeous meat dishes - everything was very tasty, well presented and reasonable too. Perfect for couples and larger parties alike!

The service is always excellent and super friendly. a great atmosphere, fantastic place to relax and neve feel like you're being herded out the door. one of my favorite places in cardiff, bring on the meze!

Cafe Mina - review by Tess1

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:21:25 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by Tess1

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: cosy, proper food, quiet & relaxed, good brew, quick bite

Cafe Mina is a lovely restaurant/cafe on Crwys Road. It has a nice atmosphere, with Marakesh-red walls, wooden floor boards, and candle light. The staff is friendly and helpful, always keen to explain the menu. I particularly like their selection of mezzes (especially the houmous!) which come with warm crunchy pita bread. Their vegetarian couscous is delicious, and huge! It is served in a very attractive tajine dish. I have been there many times, either on a romantic dinner or with large groups, and I have nerver been disapointed.

Guggenheim Museum - review by Madafi

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 23:40:06 +0000

Guggenheim Museum - review by Madafi

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1071 Fifth Avenue (at 89th Street), 10128, New York, United States of America

Phone: 212 423 3500

Website: http://www.guggenheim.org/new_york_index.shtml

Tags: modern art, paintings, sculptures

While there is a lot of controversy about the Guggenheim building, visiting it and walking through the spiral walk ways is an experience. OK so the acoustics are a bit uncontrollable and you have no choice but to follow the way up the spiralling walkway, but this was not so bad an experience, really. You can hire an audio unit which can be used to learn about the pieces exhibited (through keying in a number corresponding to your piece of interest). This was easy to use and informative in many cases.

I visited during high season in June 2007 and the feature exhibition was The Shapes of Space; it was interesting to say the least but I have to say that I find some 'new age' creations a bit to the trivial side. (at least I have the guts to admit it, OK?)

The museum's permanent collection was most impressive and less than 15% up the spiralling walk way you realise that you are in the presence of greatness. I got tingly down the spine when I stood before Pablo Picasso's Woman with Yellow Hair, where the face of his mistress is drawn beautifully using one continuous stroke.

I think that the Guggenheim Museum is a must-see if you go to New York City.

Cafe Mina - review by Madafi

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 18:44:30 +0000

Cafe Mina - review by Madafi

Rating: 4.2

Location: 43 Crwys Road, CF24 4ND, Cardiff, United Kingdom

Phone: 02920 235212

Website: http://www.minarestaurant.co.uk/home.html

Tags: cozy, lebanses, proper food, friendly

Café Mina is a Lebanese café/bar. It is a bit on the small size in terms of the number of tables but the atmosphere is intimate and friendly. Third time there and I am now on first name bases with the management of the place. The food is of an acceptable level (the mixed grill is exceptionally good) but the prices are slightly above average. I have discovered that this Café/bar is not child friendly and the staff, while not objecting explicitly to having children there, make you aware that the café was not designed with children in mind.