Armless Dragon review by Raphael, London
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.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
review comments
Leave a comment
Please note this is to leave a comment on the readers review above.
To review this restaurant please click here
To leave a comment about the review above, please log in or register first.
To review this restaurant please click here
