Buzz Magazine April 2013 | Page 30

food/drink BAR 44: TAPAS Y COPAS **** 14 Windsor Road, Penarth. 029 2070 5497 / www.bar44.com Following in the footsteps of its well-established sister restaurant in Cowbridge, Bar 44 has re-energised the eating culture in Penarth. Midweek is buzzing, and at the weekends you’ll be hard pushed to get a table unless you’ve booked in advance. The owners have created a lively and authentic tapas experience, with a selection of old favourites which most people would recognise from around £3 per dish, and some new interesting dishes. Chorizo ibérico, venison salami, acorn-fed ibérico pork tenderloin, aged manchego salad with shallots in a sherry vinegar, whole lemon sole la plancha, and on this occasion, from the daily changing specials board, purple sprouting broccoli with new potatoes, quail egg and anchovy dressing plus a particular favourite of slow-braised pancetta, chorizo, morcilla and lechoso chickpea stew and roast belly pork. There is a fabulous selection of meats, cheeses and carefully selected wines and sherries to enjoy. The chefs are from all over the world and they have worked in some of the best restaurants. They are keen to ensure all produce is sourced locally where possible and also from particular suppliers in Spain. The quality and flavours are exceptional, and if you’re a tapas virgin, don’t be afraid as the staff are knowledgeable and helpful. Everything works here: the food, staff, layout, atmosphere and music. The only minus point being that they could do with a few more tables. So, if you fancy a quick bite after work, a Saturday night celebration or a coffee and one of their fabulous desserts, Bar 44 lends itself to all of the above. As an added bonus, most of the raw ingredients, charcuterie, cheeses and store cupboard essentials are available to buy. ANTONIA LEVAY LLANERCH VINEYARD ***** Hensol, Vale Of Glamorgan. 01443 222716 / www.llanerch-vineyard.co.uk Since reopening at the beginning of 2011 as a bespoke hotel, restaurant and bar, owner Ryan Davies has strived to make Llanerch Vineyard a five-star location in the heart of the Vale Of Glamorgan countryside, whilst also thoughtfully protecting the sensitive wildlife in the area. Ryan has dived headfirst into this huge responsibility with aplomb, creating a stunning escape and delivering an exceptionally high standard of service. Llanerch is Wales’ oldest working vineyard and a lot of their own produce is on sale and available in their bar and restaurant. Llanerch’s restaurant is very Spanish in its decor: deep reds, stone walls, warm wood furniture and a refined selection of artwork on the walls. The à la carte menu is tastefully presented; four to five starters and mains, all seasonal, all locally sourced. To start, Welsh goat’s cheese, spiced candied beetroot, pine nut chilli pesto and truffle honey, a ragu of wild mushrooms, toasted brioche and poached duck egg. This was followed by free-range woodland pork tenderloin, sautéed savoy cabbage, crispy pancetta shallots, cinnamon apple jelly and red wine reduction alongside a Welsh rump of lamb, roasted garlic, petit pois, Parmentier potatoes and salsa verde with a side order of seasonal veg. For dessert we shared an assiette of chocolate – chocolate and walnut brownie, dark chocolate and peanut butter truffle, and chocolate shards, pineapple and chilli salsa. Be warned; only try this if you are a serious chocoholic. At two courses for £20 and three for £25, the quality and overall standard is impeccable and surprisingly reasonable. The chefs and owners know exactly what they are doing and they have created a fabulous retreat, whether for dining, staying a weekend, or getting out of the city for an afternoon tea. You have to try this if you haven’t done so already. ANTONIA LEVAY OSCARS’ VERY VEGETARIAN NIGHT **** 6-10 Romilly Crescent, Cardiff. 029 2034 1264 / www.oscarsofcardiff.com On our way to Oscars I asked my husband if he could remember an occasion where he’d ordered a vegetarian meal at a restaurant. Immediately he replied with, “no, because it’s never happened.” At home we’ll often have meat-free meals, but as demonstrated by his answer, this isn’t a choice he’d extend to a meal in a restaurant, until now. So impressed by the food at the vegetarian themed night, he’s asked if we can go back again to try the other dishes. With a menu comprising of eight dishes, you pick three plus a side dish for a very reasonable £15 per person. I chose the caramelised chicory hearts with goat’s cheese, butternut squash with feta, and roast halloumi with caramelised pineapple. Whilst my meat-loving dining partner picked flatbreads served with beetroot, hummus and baba ganoush, a broccoli and blue cheese tart and a portion of fried brie. For our side dishes we opted for the chips and garden salad. Until they brought the plates to our table I was under the impression that each dish would be served in a tapas-style, i.e. individual dishes. However, I was pleased to see that the dishes we’d each chosen were served on a long rectangular plate in three separate portions. I couldn’t find fault with any of the food we tried, but my favourite of the night was almost certainly the butternut squash, whilst my husband was particularly fond of the broccoli and blue cheese tart. The normal menu is available on these Wednesday themed nights, but I’d strongly suggest sticking with the theme. Other nights in the series include fish supper, sizzling steak and a burger night. The dates of these can be found of their website. ANGHARAD BROWN BUZZ 30