Cardiff Bay/Mermaid Quay developments

I thought that Carluccio's was going into the Cafe Rouge spot. Punk Panda sounds pretty ghastly.

Carluccio's is taking over the Cafe Rouge unit.

Some good independent restaurants would be good in the bay, not like Demiro's!!

It's a rare day indeed when I use the word 'ghastly' but I can find no better description for a cocktail bar called Punk Panda.

Mermaid Quay is getting very corporate nowadays isn't it? Starbucks, Prezzo, GBK, Costa, Cote, Las Igaunas, Pizza Express etc etc. All of them have menu's and decor devised by accountants.

In commercial terms I think Mermaid Quay has been a success. I'd say it's well over 90% let and has been for years now. Thats a good thing mostly but I suppose there is absolutely no pressure on the owners to remodel/regenerate and so it's unlikely that the dismal architecture will get a face lift anytime soon. I wonder if the developers regret having been so unambitious now? I'm really surprised that they didn't try to incorporate apartments into the scheme and build higher at the outset.

I wonder if they will ever seek to develop the MQ car park? In terms of income I imagine that it brings in as much per annum as 10-15 commercial units. In terms of the urban grain it acts as a barrier between MQ and the older Bay area and even after 10-15 years or so the two areas both seem cut of from each other.

I think the best form of connection would be to pedestrianise Bute street from the bay station right down to Mermaid quay (with a crossing by HSBC). Link it up through the arcades/high quality paving. Also looks like they were working on the metal frame that's stood for ages untouched last week. With work on apartments by the bay station i think development is moving to this area again, just hope the more major buildings are renovated as well.

It's a rare day indeed when I use the word 'ghastly' but I can find no better description for a cocktail bar called Punk Panda.

The Twitter feed for this "BBQ Chill and Grill" will confirm your worst fears.

"Attention Panda Cubs! RT for the chance to win an all expenses paid night to VIP @punkpandauk launch! #punkiscoming"

https://twitter.com/punkpandauk



Mimosa is no great loss. It was fab under its original owners but it had gone down a lot.

I must be getting old....

Punk Panda have a Twitter feed, a Facebook page and some other social media. Not one of them talks about their food and drink, though the Facebook page has a link for their pricing and their hours. They seem to think that talking excitedly like faux-teenagers will get people excited.

I don't think I've ever seen a less appetising set of opening gambits for a restaurant. At least Bills, Carluccios and Cote are about the food and not just the buzz.

I make love like a panda - eats shoots and leaves

I'll get my coat

I make love like a panda - eats shoots and leaves

I'll get my coat

I make love like a panda - eats shoots and leaves

I'll get my coat

I'm sure panda's have a micro penis as well. It's all making sense now.......