{AD} I know it’s only Wednesday but I’m already dreaming of my weekend plans 🙏🏻 Usually, for me, Sunday’s mean lazing around and recuperating for the week ahead. Not anymore. After discovering Cardiff’s first board game cafe Sunday’s are now for getting way too competitive over games of Sagrada and Ticket to Ride 🎲
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I have forever been a huge fan of board games. Sadly though I am temporarily banned from playing any at home because I apparently “take it too seriously”. Whatever. At least I have a safe space now with fellow games lovers. ❤️
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Chance & Counters is a über cool bar, situated on High Street, tucked above the Victorian arcades. It boasts an impressive library of 500 games. Daunting? Yes. I’m a bit of a traditionalist myself - Scrabble, Monopoly and Trivial Pursuit are more my speed. But, I needn’t worry. One of the lovely staff working there helped us pick out 3 games and got us started with the rules, including this beautiful vintage version of Ticket to Ride New York. Obsessed. We also got oddly addicted to one game, Sagrada. When nibbles were delivered part of the way through I tried to insist we finish the game before eating. I was winning. I sacrifice victory for nothing, not even mini sliders. 🍔
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Luckily for me the menu is designed with exactly this in mind. It’s made for nibbling at, sharing and dipping into between arguments about whether it’s 2 doubles you need to get out of jail or 3. We went for a selection of 3 small dishes - pigs in blankets, buttermilk chicken and mini sliders and a big bowl of chilli and nachos. It’s food to get involved in and it’s oh so good. 🌭
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I can’t believe I’ve only just been introduced to this little Cardiff gem. It’s going to be the new answer to my Slow Sunday’s, my date nights, my work socials, my... well probably everything. It may also be the reason that Joe leaves me if I don’t learn to be less competitive. This coming from the guy that once called me a snake over a game of Risk. 🤷🏻♀️ {Invite}
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I’ve got so much more to say about this little beaut. So check out my stories for much more!
The rugby might not be that beautiful right now but at least your surroundings can be! 🍁
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There are only two weeks left to sample the very lovely RBS Six Nations cocktail menu at The Ivy, Cardiff. There are six specially designed cocktails, each one representing one of the participating nations. 🍹
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For me, I’m going to have to try and dig out some Scottish ancestry because the Scottish Thistle is 100% my front runner. Very Whiskey Sour-esque. Or, opt for something sweet, light and fragrant like the French Iris. Perfect for anyone that loves a bit of bubbly with their cocktail 🍾
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For more info on each of the cocktails check out my highlights. Have fun celebrating the rest of the tournament the only way I know how, with a good old knees up ❤️🏉
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Also pictured the scrum-ptious @m0lliedavies 📸 {Invite.Gifted}
There is nothing I love more than a City institution. Those places that survive the test of time, that have stories and memories of golden years gone by. Bully’s is just that. 🍽
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11 years this little French bistro has sat in its current home in Pontcanna. Now, it’s neighbours are the likes of Heaneys, Thomas by Tom Simmons and Uisce but Bully’s has been serving up fine dining long before this little part of Cardiff got its foodie reputation. 🏴
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It’s everything a French restaurant should be - warm, inviting, a spot to spend hours eating and drinking bottle after bottle of Languedoc (which we did). Then, the food. And the butter. Because everyone knows that the secret to french cooking? Butter. And plenty of it. 🧈
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Every course was brilliant from start to finish. Joe opted for the fillet steak with truffle and feuille de brick. For someone that eats steak at every occasion he can, he insists (on both times that he has had the steak at Bully’s) that it’s the best he’s ever had. I try a small piece and he’s right. It’s like butter, it’s cooked in butter, it’s heaven. 🤍
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The feuille de brick. Cauliflower cheese in a thin, crisp pastry. Now, if that doesn’t sound like heaven to you I don’t know what does. It’s the most indulgent thing you can imagine, particularly with all that shaved truffle topping it. 🧄
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I could go on and on about every dish, but, I would be here all day. There is a reason that Bully’s has been around as long as it has. There is a reason that you cannot even dream of getting a table if the French fans are in town, like today. Actually, you’ll struggle to get a table as it is... it’s bloody popular. It is a Cardiff institution after all. 🇫🇷
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As much as I love French food, French wine and well, just France in general, I cannot abide French rugby so let’s leave the rugby to the boyos’ today aye. 🏉
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Lots more courses on my stories to follow.
Where do you even start with somewhere like this? How do you even formulate the words? I’ve sat for at least an hour trying to type this and I am still no closer to beginning to describe just how unbelievably immense our meal at Dark was. 🌌
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Those of you in the know have probably already frequented this new spot in Castle Arcade, Cardiff, or have at least lusted over doing so. The brainchild of the infamous Dusty Knuckle team, Dark is cwtched away in the Victorian arcades, all dark and moody and mysterious with its minimal decor and slightly ominous menu. 🖤
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Dark specialises in nose to tail cooking. A sustainable, use everything approach that changes the menu week on week based on what cuts of meat they can lay their hands on. This week? Offal, Diaphram, Liver. Ok, it isn’t what pops into your head when you think about what you fancy for tea tonight but that’s what Dark is here for, to hold your hand and lead you gently into a new realm of eating. One where offal is your new favourite meal. 🍽
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We opted for a few dishes to share: Crispy Jerusalem artichokes with ajo blanco, fermented leeks and chive oil, the Fiery chicken, chilli and eggs and the Spiced lamb offal kebab with pickled red onion, yogurt, parsley and fermented chillies. 🌶
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Every dish was utter perfection. Cooked beautifully, balanced, packed with flavour, all the textures you could dream for and not a single bite of “Oh god but it’s Offal”. Every single part of each dish is just executed phenomenally. Dare I say it, this is one of the best meals I have ever had. 👌🏻
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Some of you may already be team offal, some of you will be petrified at the very thought, but I promise you, you’ll be a convert the second you take that first bite. If anyone is in town for the game this weekend, I seriously recommend bypassing your usual fast food take out and popping your head into Dark - they’ll even roll up your kebab so you can grab it on the go. Go over to the Dark side, you won’t be sorry. ✌🏻
Brunch without bubbly is just a sad breakfast. Now that’s a life motto to live by 🥂
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Cardiff may not be spoilt for choice with bottomless brunch options but it does have one of the best - Grey at the Hilton 🏴
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I’m a little in love with the space alone - flooded with light, even on the greyest of days, it’s the perfect spot to sit with friends and enjoy a spot of brunch. I’m normally more of a savoury girl but the desserts here are such showstoppers. The sticky toffee pudding and accompanying salted caramel ice-cream is to die for and the buttermilk pancakes with berries and vanilla ice cream may sound simple, but it’s absolute perfection 🥞
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For £28.50 a head you get a selection of two courses and, of course, unlimited Prosecco for 90 minutes. Brunch is the new out-out guys and in Cardiff this is the spot to do it ✌🏻{Invite.Gifted}
