Tasty treats in store at development
THE list of the bars and restaurants coming to Cardiff’s trendiest new city centre development has been revealed.
From fancy cocktails to full-on burgers topped with piles of cheese, Church Street in the centre of the capital is set to be the next go-to place. The development will see four new spots open in the city with one more unit still open to offers.
Confirmed so far is a three-floor cocktail bar and restaurant, a Vietnemese restaurant, an Indian street food spot and a popular burger joint.
Work on the site has been going on for several months, and now the hoarding once covering the front of the building is beginning to come down. The site is expected to be open by the summer.
This is the list of the confirmed bars and restaurants coming to Church Street. ■ The Botanist: The description of The Botanist on its website is as a “secret garden” and they’re known for serving their drinks in plant pots.
Their menu at their other bars across the UK includes everything from cocktails, Sunday roast, brunch and non-gluten options.
On the menu will be themed cocktails described as being “interesting combinations of fresh fruit and citrus... alongside much more that Mother Nature has to offer”. According to the brochure for the development, The Botanist will stretch from the ground floor through to the second floor.
■ Pho: The Vietnamese restaurant was founded by husband and wife team Stephen and Juliette Wall after travelling the world and loving Vietnamese street food.
Pho (the dish is pronounced FUH, the restaurant is pronounced FOH) is the Vietnamese national dish, a rice noodle soup served with a side plate of fresh herbs to add as you please.
Other than Pho the rest of the menu is full of sharing starters, spicy salads, wokfried noodles, fragrant curries, Vietnamese beers, a fab wine list, fresh juices and cocktails. The Cardiff venue will seat around 110 people. ■ Mowgli Street Food: The popular independent chain offering authentic Indian street food will also be joining the Church Street development.
Mowgli, which specialises in healthy and vegan cuisine, has already proven a hit with foodies in Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool - where it opened its original eatery in October 2014.
It’s so popular in both Liverpool and Manchester that there are now two branches in each city.
Not to be confused with Mowgli’s in Whitchurch and on Crwys Road, owner Nisha Katona confirmed in March 2018 that Mowgli will open on Church Street.
The food writer quit her high-flying job as a barrister to follow her passion for food, and she admits that she continues to feel the heat.
In March she said: “This was a bold move for me. Some would counsel against the inevitable risks that come with growth and ambition. Many urge caution, but I feel passionately about taking Mowgli to the cities that would have her. We have many followers in Cardiff who are calling for the smash and grab of the Mowgli home kitchen.”
■ Honest Burgers: One of London’s best loved burger joints will also be coming to Church Street. The hip burger shop has more than 20 sites across the English capital and was launched in 2011.
They boldly claim to serve the best burger patties in the UK, with their menu including the Tribute – made from 35-day dry-aged British chuck steak, with cheese, mustard, bacon and pickles – and the Chimichurri 2.0, with beef, chorizo, relish, red chimi, Taleggio cheese, Malbec onions and shallot mayo.
All burgers come with rosemary salted chips, while brunch items include a full English breakfast and Cheese Burger toastie – a mustard-fried beef patty with pickles and American cheese, sandwiched between Cheddar and Gruyere toasties and accompanied by beef and bacon gravy. There are also veggie and vegan options, including a sweetcorn, cauliflower and shallot fritter in a bun and a plant-based burger served with vegan smoked Gouda, chipotle ‘mayo,’ mustard, red onion, pickles and lettuce.