Albany Road, Cardiff. 029 2045 5888 / www.hotpotspot.co.uk
Food **** Atmosphere ****
Roath is fast becoming Cardiff’s foodie mecca, giving the masses a well needed alternative from the generic chains the mar City Centre. A new addition to the melting pot of international restaurants that run up and down City and Albany Road, Hot Pot Spot serves up traditional Chinese cuisine with an interesting twist.
What separates this restaurant from any other pan-Asian places is that you’re able to select and cook your food communally at your table. You’re given a special pot that splits different flavoursome broths that simmers right in front of you. The wide selection of sliced raw meats, fresh vegetables and sauces allows you to pare flavours as you wish. Deciding to go with fried tofu, enoki mushroom, pak choi, sliced beef, glass noodles and a few selection of sauces, our meal turned out amazing, packed with flavour! If you’re feeling apprehensive about what foods to mix in your broth, the waiters are more than happy to run through the best selections for special dishes.
What really surprised this writer was the great selection of beer and cocktails – in particular the Lotus Blossom Martini, which was refreshingly tasty. To round the evening off perfectly, the bao desserts were delicious, with the custard bao taking you to warm, fluffy, custard heaven. Hot Pot Spot is the perfect place for a date or a catch up with your gang of friends. JAYDON MARTIN