Las Iguanas

Add some warmth to your winter dining and inject some Latin fever into a wet Welsh evening: Las Iguanas has come to Cardiff Bay. A long standing favourite among the Mill Lane crowd, its sister restaurant on the waterfront is proving just as popular.

Using top-quality, fresh British produce along with carefully sourced ingredients from around the world, the menu is a fusion of native Latin American Indian, Spanish, Portuguese and African influences. Combining Latin rhythms and vibrant colours the restaurant is a welcome addition to the Cardiff Riviera.

Unable to make a decision from the impressive starter/tapas menu we resorted to the old faithful and classic for sharing: nachos never disappoint. The home-cooked corn tortilla chips came topped with melted cheese, jalapeños, salsa, sour cream and guacamole. Feeling more adventurous we decided to head further south for our main courses and try out some of their recent Brazilian additions. Choosing ‘The Extraordinary Xinxim’ will keep you in good company, it’s apparently a favourite of Pele. Creamy lime chicken in a crayfish and peanut sauce served with rice and fine green beans, with toasted coconut to sprinkle for some added crunch and sweet plantains on the side. The seafood Moqueca, an indulgent, creamy coconut curry with cod, mussels, crayfish and prawns cooked with peppers, garlic and tomatoes. (Also available as a vegetarian option. With rice, sweet chunky plantain, spicy salsa and toasted coconut farofa to sprinkle.

When in Brazil there can only be one drink of choice – the Caipirinha – and when it’s 2 for 1 on cocktails during the Happy 7 ½ Hours (12-7.30pm every day and all day Sunday & Monday) it would be extremely rude not to.

Check out the website for classic cocktail recipes and details of upcoming offers:

Las Iguanas
Unit 27, Ground Floor
Mermaid Quay
Cardiff, CF10 5BZ
029 2045 9165
www.iguanas.co.uk/locations/cardiff-mermaid-quay

Greenwood & Brown
Taking the name of the local wine merchants they bought the business from in 1956, S.A. Brains’ Greenwood & Brown Bar and Grill is a new steak and seafood specialist restaurant, with interiors that combine Parisian chic with a New York sophistication.

With my two guests erring on the side of traditional, we took a degree of masculine reassurance from both the surroundings and the menu – a no-nonsense mix that offered everything from Chateaubriand to Fruits de Mer. L started with the Blanchbait (a close relation to Whitebait fish that resemble little comas, wrapped in flour and deep fried) which were perfect for snacking on (and sharing) during our early debates about the new place. A more old-school Calamari (definitely not chewy - excellent chilli dressing) for P meant I opted for proper meat, in the form of the Salt Beef with Herb Salad. Though a starter, my inner carnivore was adequately sated, allowing me to opt for the ‘light’ option – mussels. It was actually a Kilo of Welsh Coast Mussels in SA Gold, Pancetta, Garlic and Parsley sauce and yes, my tummy can testify there was a full 2.2 lbs of shellfish in that pot. P savaged both strips of beef from each side of his Porterhouse Steak (all 20oz of it) with equal gusto (the fillet side being his favourite). L thought he’d taken a bullet for us by trying out the burgers. It turns out that the Homemade Rump Steak Burger with Crusty Cob, Apricot and Stilton Chutney was as good as it gets, and would teach a thing or two to those who profess to serve ‘Gourmet’ burgers for a living. With the tank nearly full after our mammoth refuelling, it was left for our host Adam to suggest the $1 Desserts - effectively dessert tapas with each miniature option only setting you back a quid. Perfect.

Greenwood & Brown
Quay Street
Cardiff
CF10 1EA
029 2022 7972


The Corner House
Despite the controversy surrounding its transformation, the Corner House is proving extremely popular with both drinkers and foodies alike. Previously one of Cardiff’s oldest alehouses, it continues to thrive as a bar and restaurant. The Corner House is one of a (thankfully) growing number of establishments moving away from the shiny and tacky to the simple and classic.

The menu aims to change with the seasons and stay true to modern British cuisine, with some Mediterranean influences. It ranges from traditional favourites, such as, fish and chips and steaks, to freshly made pizzas and pastas along with daily specials from acclaimed Head Chef Ian Povey. From the deliciously comprehensive list of starters came scallops, served with ginger, soy, noodles and watermelon, and a chicken and chorizo spiedini with piri piri, feta, fregola and mint and lime yoghurt. Meaty yet refreshing.

For mains the duck confit cooked with honey, chili, sweet potato and butter beans and a perfectly cooked T-bone steak with all the trimmings. We took full advantage of the ‘Steak and Wine Supper Wednesday’ which gives you 50% off a bottle of red when you order one of their steaks. A bottle of the Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, Pauillac, Baron Philippe, complimented the food perfectly. If it’s good enough for Wills and Kate… Don’t be afraid to ask for wine recommendations or advice and help with the menu. The staff are attentive and knowledgeable and the all-round service is excellent. Something else which is, hopefully, a growing trend in our capital.

Other offer nights include ‘Sparkling Thursdays’ and ‘Fish Fridays’. Check out the website for more details and for January’s wine offer.

The Corner House
The Corner House, Caroline Street
Cardiff, CF10 1FF
02920 228 628
www.cornerhousecardiff.co.uk/contact/

Food for Thought