85 Pontcanna Street, Cardiff. 029 2002 0212
****
Fish At 85 is a brand new fresh fish restaurant in the heart of Cardiff. With an abundant selection of fish displayed hours after being caught as locally as possible, you can be assured of the best quality from the local catch ferried from Pont Henri in West Wales. Not only a restaurant, but also a wholesaler, Fish At 85 supplies the restaurant and hotel trade in and around Cardiff. With its own compact restaurant catering for around 10 covers, the Fish At 85 menu offers a fine selection of fish dishes along with a comprehensive wine list.
The high quality fish counter comprises of Welsh cockles and mussels, turbot, gurnard, pollack, megrim, sea bass from Cardigan Bay, and wild salmon all displayed in an impressive fish counter along the length of one wall. We popped in one lunchtime and were treated to a pint of shell-on prawns served in a pint glass with salad, a Devon crab salad (£12.50), half a Welsh Caldey Island lobster served with mayonnaise (£15) and two beautiful glasses of Sancerre. The menu also included eggs benedict, grilled kippers, and a selection of Devon oysters served with lemon, Tabasco and shallot vinegar.
The food is undoubtedly fresh, uncomplicated and as it should be: served with minimal fuss and as nature intended. The next welcome step for Fish At 85 is to extend the restaurant upstairs, allowing for more seating , a viewable kitchen and a more comprehensive and hot menu – which should be in place by the end of the year.
Fish At 85 is a very welcome addition to Cardiff and worth indulging in for its impressive display and informed staff. ANTONIA LEVAY