La Cuina

NYE 2012 — my husband and I were at a loss. Not really fancying the crowds of the City Center, or the $ 95 per head price tag that most restaurants were offering we opted to celebrate in Pontcanna. A friend had recommended La Cucina having had a light lunch there, so for NYE we really didn’t know what to expect. A quick phone call and a warning «we will have our family here, we will not be partying but you are welcome to come for dinner» later, we decided, why not.
The ground floor houses a delicatessen, and a staircase leads you up to the restaurant. More rustic loft that restaurant, the mixed furniture and chunky wooden tables give the room a very warm feel. It’s almost like a food speak easy. If you are uncomfortable with small eating establishments and prefer the bigger louder feel of lets say a Jamie Oliver restaurant, this may not be for you. For me; Perfect!
The waiter (the owners 17 year old son) was absolutely fantastic. Warm and welcoming he greeted us in Welsh (my native tongue so this always pleases me) and we was eager to please.
The Food: To start — a beautiful glass of Spanish Cava. A great selection! Followed by cured duck and fig salad. My husband had the rabbit which just fell off the bone, like butter. Both were divine. Followed by a steak of the most beautiful Welsh Black variety — cooked perfectly with a side of seasonal vegetables. My husband had the Spanish cannelloni; bursting flavors from the meat inside and a subtle and light cream sauce enveloped the dish nicely. Desert was a dark chocolate orange cake — we weren’t sure what this was going to be. A light sponge cake infused with orange zest, accompanied by a crisp and moist (I know!) dark chocolate topping. Fresh, light and delicious.
The whole tab, for three courses, lots of wine and cava was $ 86. on NYE!
I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. I live in NYC, where we have all the food in the world, but i just can’t wait to get back to Cardiff and dine at La Cucina again.