11 Kings Road, Canton. 029 2019 0265 / www.lacuina.co.uk
Having recently returned from a trip to Cadaqués, I was curious to try out La Cuina, a recently opened family-run Catalan delicatessen and restaurant located in the previously much-admired Patagonia premises in Canton.
The layout is bijou and compact with a deli on the ground floor featuring a couple of tables and bench seating while the restaurant sits upstairs. The decor is traditional Catalan in style and reminiscent of sun-drenched days and balmy nights – a white interior, Dali prints and interesting objets d’art adorning the simple shelving and walls.
The deli on the ground floor is thoughtfully stocked with a range of foods prepared in their kitchen – such as casseroles, soups, flans, and pastries – as well as fabulous wines, cheeses and a selection of olives and cured meats. We tried a mixed starter, which amongst other things, had smoked eel, roasted sweet peppers, aubergines and tomato, jamon and Catalan salami. All were very good quality and the mains followed at an equally high standard. We enjoyed chicken casserole with prunes, chocolate and wine alongside pork cheek with black beans. Desserts were of course crème Catalan and orange flan with coconut crème and berries. Rather a mixed bag, but traditional and satisfying nonetheless.
Upstairs is small but cosy and there are no airs and graces, just good food, friendly service and a great selection of food and wines all chosen by the owners. Try somewhere a bit different and you will be pleasantly rewarded. ANTONIA LEVAY