This small, quaint restaurant is located on one of Pontyclun's busiest streets, Cowbridge Road. In an area that is dominated by Indian and Oriental restaurants, it was a refreshing change to find a venue that offered more traditional meals as well as more extravagant, foreign dishes.
The quiet midweek evening meant service was very speedy and I had a menu in my hand before I'd even had chance to wipe the drool from my chops. And what a menu it was, with starters ranging from pates and soups to fried mushrooms and whitebait, accompanying mouthwatering mains that would leave Gordon Ramsay's cookbook looking like a hobo's diet plan.
For my starter, I chose the lemon prawn bruschetta and when the first mouthful hit my tongue, it released a taste so satisfying it could make the Antichrist praise the lord. Pan seared with garlic and chili, the prawns were a taste sensation and the chili gave it a distinct kick in the aftertaste for good measure. Served with a modest side salad, this starter got an immediate thumbs up of approval from the spotless state of my plate.
For main, I put my love of steak to one side in favour of the pork cacciatore, which was absolutely gorgeous. Two slices of lean pork topped with a tomato and basil sauce was exactly what the doctor ordered, and I would happily OD on that prescription any day.
The only downside of the whole experience was that the first two courses were so delicious that, by the time I saw the dessert menu, I was fit to burst. But after such a triumphant first impression, there will definitely be another opportunity to sample that. read more