THE BLUE PELICAN CAFÉ ****

Hamptons, 10 Ludlow Lane, Penarth. 

029 2070 5391 / www.hamptons-design.co.uk

Penarth is now something of a destination point for those searching for a decent bite to eat. As we walked around on a sunny Saturday lunchtime the majority of the restaurants and cafés were brimming with people, and as we climbed the stairs to the Blue Pelican Café on the first floor of Hamptons, the popularity of this spot was obvious. We arrived just after 1pm and the dining space was full, with a queue of people waiting for a seat. Despite there being plenty of other places to eat in the area, the fact that people were happy to wait demonstrated to me how good the café must be.

After a short wait we were seated by our waitress who quickly took our orders. I had a large cappuccino and an incredibly delicious halloumi salad (£7.99), which included the obvious salad components as well as artichokes, olives, sundried tomatoes topped with warm slices of halloumi. I’m not sure what kind of kitchen witchcraft the chef used to cook the halloumi, but it was without doubt the nicest I’ve ever eaten and even when cool it avoided being chewy.

My husband opted for the soup and sandwich combination. He chose the roast chicken and smoked bacon sandwich with tarragon mayonnaise and the homemade tomato soup (£7.99). Both parts of his meal were fresh, tasty and hastily devoured.

For dessert we could’ve easily been tempted by any of the cakes displayed on the cake table, but to celebrate what was hopefully the start of spring, we opted for the Eton mess (£3.99). Served in a tall glass, it was creamy and fruity, but perhaps it could’ve done with a touch more meringue. But that is a minor grumble in what was otherwise a perfect informal lunch. ANGHARAD BROWN