106 Bute Street, Cardiff. 0783445 1119
Unless you’re a dab hand in the kitchen, Caribbean food for many of us – or myself at least – is a treat not often enjoyed. Similarly, Cardiff isn’t inundated with Caribbean restaurants to choose from, and as such, Mr G’s Soul Kitchen, with its promise of authentic Caribbean soul food, is an enticing prospect.
Although we could have chosen any number of dishes from the tantalising menu – snapper fish, jerk chicken, oxtail stew and ackee and saltfish all proved tempting – we eventually settled upon curry goat and fish curry (£8.50 and £9.25 respectively), with sides of coleslaw, plantain and rice & peas. Our main courses were preeceded by starters of spiced fishcakes and sweet chilli and garlic king prawns with an avacado salad. A veritable feast by anyone’s standards, the portions were healthy and nicely presented; the starters not overly filling.
Cooked fresh to order, all courses were wholesome and packed with flavour. The curry goat main course was subtley flavoured and the meat was melt-in-the-mouth tender. The fish curry was similarly sympathetic on the palate with a mild curry sauce complementing the white fish. Every mouthful encouraged the next, and we polished off both dishes within a frighteningly short space of time.
Desert came in the form of apple pie and mango cheesecake. Nothing remarkable on this front, and for me, a little disappointing. However, this was nothing to detract from the meal as a whole.
Demonstrating an obvious passion for homely Caribbean food, diners can expect substance over style in an uncomplicated and friendly restaurant delivering honest Caribbean flavours. Draw yourselves 100m from Mermaid Quay’s lights and in Mr G’s you’ll find a restaurant brimming with wholesome Caribbean flavour. GARETH LUDKIN