Cardiff restaurants and cafes

I go to the Bosphorus from time to time - basically whenever I forget how awful it was last time. It's been up for sale for ages but the lease is vastly overpriced. There are far better Turkish and Middle Eastern places in Cardiff, like Mezza Luna - I wish someone like that was in the Bay. But I think we could also do a lot better than more overpriced burgers.

Burger and Lobster has put its lease up for sale, but say they wish to remain in Cardiff and relocate to a smaller premises that is closer to the size of their more intimate Mayfair restaurant.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/business-news/burger-lobster-close-cardiff-city-11607240

I feel like they'd prefer to remain in the city centre. Apparently Zizzi are planning to downsize to one city centre branch later this year and are therefore closing their Mary Street restaurant. I think Burger & Lobster would fit in quite nicely there... Nice open space, grand frontage, not significantly large... Sounds more like what they are looking for?

In all honesty, the Habitat building should have been split into two double height restaurants rather than one ground floor and one upper floor. It's hard to entice people upstairs...

Nevertheless, I could certainly see Gaucho taking over the Burger & Lobster property. They have been looking for premises in Cardiff and this unit certainly fits the brands image....

I agree on the layout of the two units. I never saw the commercial rationale for having one on the ground and one on the first. Having ground floor seating is useful for those who want to look in before committing to coming in. And having some upstairs space can be useful if you want to close off an area during quieter times, or want to provide some room for group bookings separate from the rest of the restaurant. I can only imagine it was something to do with the listed status of the building. Perhaps it was not possible to carve up new the units and add extra staircases in?

Is there enough passing trade on St Mary's St? Is there a unit in or close to Mill Lane?

Would Gaucho want to go head to head with Miller and Carter on the ground floor? Given Gaucho's pricing (which seems to me to be beyond the range that most diners in south Wales are prepared to bear) I can see only one winner.

Bella Italia have closed on High Street (now in Brewery Quarter). There are plenty of units for Burger and Lobster at that end of town which does have a bit of a dining scene (Potted Pig, Pizza Express, Greenwood and Brown, Casanova, Cafe Citta, Turtle Bay etc).

Gaucho is much much better than Miller and Carter. But I think I agree with Karl. My dad is in the income range Gaucho would target as an occasional diner. He'd balk at the prices and considers TGI Fridays, Cafe Rouge and Chimichangas good places for a meal out.

What are the best restaurants in Cardiff nowadays? People used to talk about Casanova and Potted Pig but that was a while ago now. It does get a bit boring having town full of all these chains. The interesting action is probably elsewhere. Cowbridge Road East? I've heard people say good things about Kimchi.

Burger and Lobster are closing permanently. Apparently Cardiff just wasn't ready for them. I'm not sure many places are ready for a £20 burger. I think the same is happening with their Manchester branch.

Restaurant confirmed for the old Natwest in St Mary Street -

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/wal ... ty_article

Banks tend to be good buildings don't they?

I'm surprised The Potted Pig hasn't moved. A prime restaurant needs a better location that that!

The Potted Pig has a great location, it makes the atmosphere!