Armless Dragon

A early visit to the newly refurbed resturant, our party was met with a warm welcome and service was excellent as was the quality and quantity of the meals, the wine selection complemented the food available.
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Vic
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

We booked this restaurant as a special treat on the Saturday night that Wales won the Grand Slam. The restaurant was full and the atmosphere was excellent, I wish I could say the same about the food which was just about OK but certainly overpriced. The service was friendly enough although I would have preferred to have a menu card to browse through rather than a large shared blackboard. I was surprised that some influential publications have given this restaurant good reports on their website. These quotes do not have dates on them so I am assuming that they are quite dated reviews and that perhaps the food was once really good? Disappointing, but on the this great rugby occasion I don't think too many Welsh people would complain. I do wonder, however, what the two French guys sitting at the table next to us thought. Double Whammy comes to mind.
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Owen Evans
Monday, March 17, 2008

After spending quite some time researching restaurants in Cardiff for my mothers birthday, I decided upon the Armless Dragon as it looked to offer something different. 'hearty food', 'Authentic Welsh dishes', 'Warm atmosphere' were among the comments I found.

However, Dissapointing and Dissatisfied are the only two words that I can take away with me. To be fair, I will attempt to appraise the restaurant compared to its own proclamations from its website and the positive press that I am surprised it had recieved. The reader of this review should know that I am an ex catering professional who has worked back and front of house in small family restaurants to Michellin starred venues in London. Whether that makes my expectations too high or a more valid critic, Will be for you to decide.

The premises are set in what appears to be a circa early 80s red brick modern pub thats been via a cheap house extension to the staff catering room that it come across as today. The choice, comfort and finish of the furniture do it no favours.

The staff were welcoming, sweet and friendly, but unfortunately our waitress that evening had not even mastered the minimum basics of the trade making simple mistakes which were just unacceptable, bringing a new knife and glasses to table holing it by the blade and with her thumb and forefinger holding the glasses. Neither her nor her colleague could explain the items on the menu or open a bottle of wine. They apologised with a giggle and shrug....

The food presentaion was below the standards I was expecting. More pub grub then creative fair. The food was indeed simple and tasty but far from outstanding and the place is so desperately trying to be. Our lamb was tough and dry. My guests dishes weren't seasoned properly and none of our meat dishes were cooked as ordered. The vegetables were also overcooked and poorly prepared.

I cannot recomend this restaurant because it failed for me on so many levels but I may of been unlucky the night I went, but with so much competition in Cardiff these days. I would need to hear a postive review from a very respected source before I would give this place another try.
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Raphael, London
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

I went to the armless dragon and i was simply staggered by the audacity of the place to even call itself a restaurant.

Of course you will get the comment that its fab (cus thats probably the chef trying to defend his job!!)

I went there on more than one occasion, had the meat and boy oh boy how small it was. Two tiny peices of meat on very common mash with a miniscule bit of veg. The fish on the other hand was a bit bigger, obviously my mistake. So next time I orders the fish and get a cheap bit of smoked whatever on yes you guessed it on the same drab mash and miniscuale veg.

Both were served in what can only be descibed as a fruit bowl which made it all the more uneasy to eat and quite embarrassing.

To add insult to injusry the desert was also tiny oh and dont forget the VERY uncomfortable chairs.

All in all if you like tiny bland food that in no way constitutes what we call 'a meal' then go here.

To be very honest I can 'cook' better than this and believe me I am no cook.

pretentious pretentious pretentious pretentious and very bad and I mean bad value for money.

PS pretentious

by the end of each tiny portion I just became more and more annoyed until I was angry. If you like this sort of pretend rubbish then please feel free to waste your money.. just maybe have a meal beforehand eh

PSS if I could put minus ten for value and food I would. What service? What atmosphere??
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Monday, October 08, 2007

This is an excellent restaurant. The food was fresh and interesting, with a good choice of meat, fish and veggie in the starters and the main courses. Good value for money as well. Really enjoyed ourselves on a belated valentine date!
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Catherine
Monday, February 19, 2007

thanks
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braedon hoegler
Tuesday, March 28, 2006

i love this site it is so cool it is great good information
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collton griffith
Tuesday, March 28, 2006