2 Pen-Y-Lan Rd, Cardiff. 029 2048 2222 / damaracardiff.co.uk
Food **** Atmosphere ****
Larger than its previous location in Lakeside, this family-run trattoria is situated in Penylan near Roath Mill Gardens. Da Mara has elected to keep previous occupants Il Pastificio’s modern-meets-rustic décor, and our party of 14 couldn’t have had a more enjoyable dining experience. Ordering various options of meat, fish, pasta and pizzas, we began with an antipasto misto of olives and a selection of meats and cheeses, along with homemade focaccia. A designated diner raved about his zuppa di calamari e cozze (squid and mussels) starter – “an 11 out of 10” and a paccheri ragu – “beautifully seasoned chunks of meat”.
About half of us opted for Da Mara’s choice of 12 pizzas. You can watch them being made by a master pizza maker in a striking white and blue tiled wood-burning pizza oven from Napoli. All were delizioso and authentically came out with leopard (blackened spots) crusts. A vegetarian taster did mention, though, that her rustica pizza had a good amount of cheese but not enough vegetables.
The coating on my abbondanza vitello Milanese was a bit dry for me, but the veal was still tender (fellow chooser agreed). Roasted potatoes and carrots were done to perfection. The wine list had a good selection to suit all budgets with house wines of a good standard, offering value for money and food is also reasonably priced. Owners Mark and Sardinian-born Rita and staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and accommodating, making everyone feel relaxed and as if we were guests in their own home. RHONDA LEE REALI