Bar 44, Cowbridge

Today, my mother and step-dad came to visit with the intention of heading to the Vale of Glamorgan to see where her Auntie Bunny used to live. Then it was off to lunch in Cowbridge. I already had Bar 44 in mind to eat, but when I saw their tweet this morning with their specials featuring razor clams it was a must. 

Pissed Patagonian

My Cardiff and Surrounds Experiences list

And my final list for now – this one is for experiences. Things to do in and around Cardiff, some may not be possible, it seems the Cardiff Barrage Skyflyer may not go ahead (boo) and spending a night in St David’s Spa could be beyond my budget and after eating a meal there I’m not sure I want to!

Again, I’ve done some already, but I wanted to show my complete list.

• Watch Cardiff City play
• Cycle along the Taff Trail to Castle Coch



Cardiff Bay Barrage

• Walk across the Cardiff Bay Barrage - in fact I've done the full circle, all around the bay, barrage, Penarth marina and back via Grangetown, a great stroll in the sunshine.
• See a live band in Clwb Ifor Bach

My Cardiff and Surrounds Places to Visit list

Adding to my dining wishlist, I also have a list of places that I’d like to visit in Cardiff and around and abouts. It won’t be my final list – I like making lists, it helps me feel more organised and also gets me out and about.

St Fagans

So this list is for places to visit the majority of which of historical or cultural sights. Though I think I’ll need to kidnap some kids to visit Techniquest. 

The ongoing search for the perfect chip shop

The National Fish and Chip Awards for 2012 were announced this week, so in my quest to find the perfect chip shop, I have three more to try out. I will say that I don't have chips that often, in fact maybe once or twice a year, but when I do, I want good chips - don't mind about the fish, as I have sausage normally. I just want good chips, is that too much to ask?

I’m not sure if it’s the case that chips just don’t taste the same anymore, or I have a rose tinted view of chips from when I was little. On the very rare occasions that we had them, it was usually when we visited my Nan in Swansea and went to her local one down the road. A proper old school chippy, blue tiled inside, with just the counter, no seating, and pickled eggs and salt and vinegar and maybe the old can of pop to add to the fish or sausage and chips. And they were lovely. The right proportion of sogginess and crispness and all of them cooked (seems that, in itself, is a challenge these days).

Anyway, the three award winners in various categories in Wales are:

• The Crispy Cod, High Street, Tonyrefail
• Frydays Fish and Chip Emporium, Old St Mellons Post Office, Newport Road, Cardiff
• Zero Plus Fish Bar, in Cowbridge Road, Canton

Does anyone have any other recommendations? 

My Cardiff and Surrounds Dining Wishlist

I've now been living in Cardiff for nearly a year and have been trying to work out the best places to eat. I have finally created a list of places I hope to visit in the future. They’re different cuisines and different styles of eateries. But all have been recommended at some point by someone. So here they are:

In Cardiff

• Purple Poppadum, Cowbridge Road East
• Vegetarian Food Studio, Grangetown
• Chapter, Canton
• Mint & Mustard, Whitchurch Road