Trinity Street, Cardiff
029 2167 6982 / www.lockeandremedy.com
Where Cardiff’s Old Library once stood, there have been a number of restauranteurs and investors interested in the central location, but none quite so promising as the latest addition to the Hayes’ culinary scene: Locke & Remedy.
Equipped with an impressive selection of spirits and the latest in mixology technology, including a smoking gun, Locke & Remedy offers a host of cocktails with a unique twist, like the sweet Mesmerist and lemony Old Wives Tale. If you prefer a tipple or a beer to a cocktail, then they offer a wide range of whiskeys from all over the world, and they even have their own beers, like the firm and heady Locke & Remedy stout.
In terms of food, what stands out most is their stone hearth oven, where you can watch Italian-style pizzas being made before your eyes. I chose to sample their spicy chilli chicken pizza, which managed to get the spice level just right, without overpowering the other flavours. Their black pudding burger was beautifully prepared, with a sweet bun and a careful combination of beef patty, melt-in-the-mouth black pudding, and cheese, served alongside the best sweet potato fries I had ever had. While the chocolate brownie sundae, with a remarkable combination of honeycomb and salted caramel sauce, was delicious, the food options are somewhat limited compared to the choice in cocktails.
However, this is more than made up for by the quality of the food and drinks, and the reasonable prices. Locke & Remedy also offer a fine selection of coffee and breakfast dishes, perfect for a break during weekend shopping. This is all topped off by the genuinely friendly staff, who showed how much effort and innovation pays off.
words LUKE OWAIN BOULT