140 Clifton Street, Cardiff. 029 2132 2829 / Twitter: @CardiffAmazonas
Food: **** Atmosphere: ***
Nestled in the multicultural clutter at the Broadway end of Clifton Street is Amazonas; an unassuming snack bar offering a range of Brazilian and Portuguese street food. What sets this humble establishment apart from the plethora of street food eateries in the capital is its ability to provide top quality tapas-style food for a fraction of the inflated prices that has become the norm.
My dining companion and I opt for a pre-food sharpener of a freshly made – and delicious – Caipirinha, made with what seems like the best part of a bottle of cachaça and priced at a none-too-ambitious £4.95. We start off with a selection of bite-sized starters including the Milho Frito – a Madeiran fried polenta dish and Bacalhau, a trio of salted cod fishcakes deep fried with a creamy mashed potato. This was accompanied by a Franqueijo pastel; a thin crispy pastry with a moreish cheese and chicken filling (which is in turn accompanied with a warning that the contents are hotter than the sun!).
There is a ‘set’ special each day of the week and my co-diner goes for today’s; a rich and hearty black bean stew (Feijoada) crammed with cured meats served with rice whilst I plump for the multi-layered joy that is the Prego Especial – a tasty steak sandwich with all the trimmings, including a tasty, fragrant garlic butter. With starters averaging just £2 and mains just north of £5, you could easily fill up on authentic tasty goodness and still get change from a tenner.
The enthusiasm and warmth shown by owner Claudia and her small team give it more of a home-grown feel than many of its competitors so if you’re in the mood for a coffee and a pastry or something a little more filling then it’s well worth the short trip to Clifton Street.
words BEN GALLIVAN