• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Preston
• Category: Restaurants

Preston PR3 5DB

NRK said
Woeful
Woeful. That’s the word that best sums up my experience of this establishment. We went there as part of a large group of friends meeting for a pre-Christmas meal. The service was generally shoddy. We were left waiting for a long time before we were seated at our table and then the meal was punctuated with a Basil Fawlty style catalogue of errors. The food was OK. Drinks were slow to appear and different people’s food appeared at different times so that we weren’t all eating together. The final straw came when the bill appeared and several items we hadn’t had were listed. When questioned, we were told by one of the waiters that some items weren’t on the bill, so that the extra items on the bill made up for what was missing. What’s that all about? List what we did have. We were very disappointed and I’m disappointed that I have to give it one star.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Restaurants

Cardiff CF24 4DY
029 2022 8863

NRK said
Mmmmm curry
Balti Cuisine is on Woodville Road at the Crwys Road end. There’s a good choice of Indian restaurants in Roath and this is just one of the many. We had a good meal in there recently, although it must be said that by this time in the evening our palettes were less than refined. The lamb was tender and tasty, a side dish of spicy chick peas was just that and the service couldn’t be faulted. So all in all, it was satisfactory. Nothing really good. Nothing really bad. Nothing that stood out either way really. I know it’s in the student’s summer holidays, but we were there on a Friday night and it was very quiet, which makes me ask the question – where were everyone else eating their curries?

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Restaurants

Cardiff CF24 3JJ
029 2048 1888

NRK said
Best Japanese in Cardiff
Tenkaichi is on City Road in Roath, in the middle of a popular student area of the city. The restaurant is a stone’s throw from “Death Junction”, if you’re local. The first thing you note when you enter the restaurant through the curtain is that seating is at long benches rather than chairs and tables. If you’re fine with that, then you’ll be quite happy, but it’s worth pointing it out. Couples are normally sat opposite each other and if it’s a busy time you can end up in fairly close proximity to strangers. The food is excellent with a wide choice of noodle dishes, sushi and sashimi. The bento boxes are good value and give you a variety of flavours to try.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Cardiff CF10 1BB
029 2038 8388

NRK said
A bite of the big apple!
Another Cardiff institution that has been here as long as I have, albeit that it’s now moved a little further along the arcade and to the other side. Always popular with locals, office workers and students the NYD really knows how to make a sandwich. I was baptised into the NYD with the Meatball Grinder – a whopping subway roll covered in meatballs in a tomato sauce and your choice of cheese and dressing – fantastic. Also to be recommended is the Sausage sub, using a Gorno’s Toulouse sausage – very tasty. There’s always a good, friendly atmosphere in here. The owner’s a big ice hockey fan and the walls are adorned with Cardiff Devils and other hockey memorabilia.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Restaurants

Cardiff CF11 9NR
029 2037 2768

NRK said
Authentic Italian Taste
Stefano's is a good quality family-run Italian restaurant in the Canton area of Cardiff. I’ve been here twice recently, once for a quiet anniversary meal and another time with a large group of friends to celebrate a birthday. Both occasions were thoroughly enjoyed and staff, service and food were excellent each time. I don’t suppose the menu is the cheapest in Cardiff, but it certainly tastes very much like the authentic cuisine of Italy. The menu is extensive with a good choice of pasta, pizza and risotto and a wide variety of secondi including rack of lamb and sea salt cured pork shank. I love risotto and sea food and had the scallop and king prawn risotto both times! The tiramisu was excellent too.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Restaurants

Cardiff CF10 5BZ
029 2045 4078

NRK said
Expensive burger and chips
There’s a lot of choice on the menu, but what it comes down to is essentially a burger with a large number of different sauces. There’s chilli, satay, Cajun, you name it. The venue’s in a good spot, on a busy corner in the now thriving Cardiff Bay. Only time will tell if this venture lasts longer than the previous ones in the same location. It’s standard pub fodder. Burger, curly fries and a salad that’s been hanging about for a bit, but at twice (or more) than a pub would charge. The beer was nice, but you can’t really mess up bottled lager from a fridge. I wouldn’t visit again.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Sightseeing and Attractions

Cardiff CF10 5BW
029 2047 2475

NRK said
Fun for kids!
We liked this place so much we bought an annual ticket. First of all, entrance to Techniquest is fairly expensive. I would recommend buying an annual ticket if you live in Cardiff and will go more than once every few months. Buying the annual ticket means you can get rid of the feeling of having to do everything on the one day of your visit in order to “get your money’s worth”. Techniquest is fun for adults and children alike. There are presentations that change every couple of weeks and the exhibits are rotated so that you don’t see the same thing on every visit. I must admit that now we have an annual ticket, Techniquest has become a place where we can just pop in for an hour or two on a rainy weekend just to keep the children amused. And there are lots to keep them amused. It’s worth taking some spare clothes if your children are likely to get wet playing with the water exhibits.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Restaurants

Cardiff CF24 4ND
02920 235212

NRK said
Mmmmm meze
I’m probably a little under qualified for this review, having only visited on one occasion, but we had a lovely meal at the time. Café 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.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Cardiff CF24 4AA

NRK said
Mmmmm breakfast
Ramon’s is a Cardiff institution. I have no idea when it opened, but it’s been here all the time that I have which is soon to be 15 years. It’s THE place for a greasy spoon breakfast in Cardiff. Always trust a greasy spoon that has umpteen bin lorries and council pickup trucks parked outside. Breakfasts are cooked at lightning quick speed to arrive at your table barely after you’ve sat down and sugared your tea. Ramon’s changed very much for the better when the smoking ban was introduced and the fugg inside disappeared. If you haven’t been there in a while, it’s also expanded. Most popular with students, workmen and those nursing a hangover, get there early on international days when the queue can stretch out of the door onto the street. A full breakfast is about £4 I think.

• Added: 10th of September 2008
• Area: Cardiff
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Cardiff CF24 4EH
029 2034 5653

NRK said
Kids love it
Not your run of the mill café, this place is set up purely for children and parents. You have to buzz to get in off the street, but rather than admission to a secret members club, this is mainly to stop little ones escaping! There are lots of things to keep children amused including things to play on and ride, a train set, cars, dressing clothes and books to read. Food is the usual baguettes and panini with good coffees for adults and squash for children. It can get crowded at times and you do sometimes have to compete with groups of Mums intent on reserving the comfy sofas for friends who have yet to arrive. There are also classes that children can attend including Monkey Music and Baby Massage. Admission is £1.25 for Adults, £2.50 for 1 to 5 Year Olds and Under 1s are free.