YAKITORI #1
Unit 10, Mermaid Quay, Cardiff Bay. 029 2049 5050 / www.yakitoricardiff.co.uk/
Food **** Atmosphere ***
In the past few years, Mermaid Quay has lost a lot of footfall to central Cardiff as a result of St. David’s Centre, not helped by extortionate parking and the sense that area is being given over to big chain restaurants and cafes rather than local businesses. Still, it remains one of the city’s premier dining spots, with a number of restaurants serving food from all four corners of the globe between them. One of the best is Yakitori #1. Japanese food tends to be on the expensive side, particularly sushi; Yakitori perhaps costs slightly more than average, but the food here is absolutely worth the price.
A variety of sushi, gyoza, and a beef skewer formed our party of four’s starter, averaging about £5. The sushi and gyoza were fresh and presented with care, whilst the beef skewer was exceptionally succulent – some of the most well-cooked beef I’ve ever had the pleasure to taste. The mains were all equally excellent. Most of my party ordered variations of noodles with seafood, duck, or chicken, while I went with ramen beef (all between £12-£17). Again superb, the broth was just the right level of spiciness.
The décor of Yakitori is a little faceless, and it’s not quite in the ideal location in the Bay for gazing out the window. However, something about the Mermaid Quay buildings means that most phones don’t get any signal inside, which is a blessing: people actually have to talk to each other. Even if unintended, this extra touch ensures that Yakitori’s atmosphere is at least full of people engaging in conversation. FEDOR TOT