Will this new 100 seater cafe bar on Wellfield Road encourage more people to visit this boutique shopping street? Try a traditional 'vege breakfast' around midday, any day of the week (assuming you can get a seat) and you'll have the answer. Corn fritters, toast, hash browns, mushrooms, roast tomatoes and peppers, and a freshly ground silky smooth latte - you can't go far wrong. Wholesome; hearty, although probably not that good for the heart; tasty, certainly; and to be recommended.
5Greg Cannon
am 24.09.2007
(aktualisiert am 07.12.2007)
The Vatican's gallery after gallery collection of fine art, sculptures, ceramics and tapestries confirms this is one of the world's wealthiest institutions. There is far too much to take in in a single visit, yet the queues put you off hurrying back. We spent over 2 hours queueing in 35 deg temperatures, and had arrived well before the 10am opening. The Sistine Chapel is amazing; although the current bright coloured figures may not have been how the artist actually intended them to be seen - the layers of varnish and glue provided a depth that is now missing. The food however was a real disappointment, and to serve coffee in disposable plastic cups is sacrilege.
After the morning spent visiting Cardiff Castle, lunch at Madame Fromage proved even residents in a small city can make a new discovery. This speciality cheese shop in Cardiff's Castle Arcade offers a quiet relaxed setting, and superb range of traditional Welsh dishes. The breads are organic and are freshly baked, often arriving still warm - just how I like it. The cakes and deserts all looked very tempting, but stood little chance of being consumed on this visit as the Welsh cawl and Salami baguette were both large portions, with each dish able to satisfy two people. As the coffee is freshly ground, maybe a return visit is required to liberate those cakes.
Whether you prefer the house filter, foamy cappuccino, a pure latte, americano or macchiato the coffee here never disappoints. Good barista training is clearly evident. For a change in liquid refreshment the exotic smoothies, teas or freshly crushed juice provides a welcome caffeine break.
If you're after a quick snack, late breakfast, or afternoon energy boost the cheese cakes, pastries, mini quiches (with side salad) and paninis are tempting, fresh and well presented.
The slate flooring, soft brown leather sofas, wooden tables and padded chairs are apparently inspired by coffee houses in British Colombia and echo its Atlantic Coffee past. Sam's paintings of Abergavenny farm animals are not to everyone tastes, but then Van Gogh also failed to find buyers during his lifetime.
The international staff and clientele reflect the cosmopolitan character of the community. Yummy mummies share tables with middle aged actors, newspaper photographers, real estate negotiators, university students and telecom sales teams.
Albany Road is not one of Cardiff's better shopping streets, more for the locals; but this coffee house makes up for the lack of sophisticated alternatives.
Based on the site of a 12th century castle this restoration by William Burges for the third marquess of Bute may not be everyones idea of a banqueting lodge; but as most of us well never get the chance to design our own this one is well worth the entrance fee. Managed by CADW (the ‘official guardians of Welsh built hertiage’), the castle is an ideal place to visit on a wet day. The tracks leading from the car park provide the more energetic with some great walks and moderate mountain biking.
- Das Beste der Stadt entdecken & eigene Bewertungen schreiben.
- Ein Netzwerk mit Freunden bilden und ihre Bewertungen lesen.
- Deine eigenen Gruppen und Guides mit den besten Plätzen anlegen.
Greg Cannon
am 07.12.2007
