Cardiff, like most UK cities, has a lot of Italian restaurants. We are lucky to have quite the stellar line up in terms of Italian fare, with the likes of Cafe Citta, Da Mara, Casanova, Calabrisella to name a few. How does the fairly new entrant on City Road, I Giardini, compare to the rest?
I was a bit saddened to see A Shot in the Dark close; spent many a time in there sipping far too much hot chocolate for my own good. On the bright side, it has given way to a charming little Italian restaurant that is inspired by cooking from Sorrento, with a very authentic feel inside in terms of the waiting staff and the menus on offer.
All the pasta is freshly made on site and prior to my visit, had only heard rave reviews of the food dished out. During the festive period, they ran a slightly different menu, but with still a lot of choice on offer.
Calamari Fritti (£7.95) was spot on, with the lightly crisp batter not having the slightest trace of grease, and a light flaky exterior giving way to fresh firm squid. Accompanying aioli was smooth and creamy and worked a treat with the generous portion of calamari. This was definitely one of the best versions of the dish in the city.
The pappardelle venison ragu(£15.95) showcased the pasta making skills aptly. Cooked al dente, the thick ribbon pasta combined well with the rich venison ragu, although it was a tad too salty in parts.
A bottle of Montepulcian d’Abruzzo complemented the meal perfectly.
I Giardini is a cracking addition to the vast array of Italian independents in the city. Although some may find it slightly more expensive than its counterparts, it is definitely worth a visit for some freshly cooked meals with very good flavour. Oh, and some cracking calamari…
The details
Address: 12 City Road, Cardiff CF24 3DL
Tel: 07703 429185 / 02920 486580
Web: https://www.i-giardini.com; @i_giardini
tummy says yum 