Cardiff’s food and drink scene is growing – and so are it’s cocktail menus. Our Charlie happened upon a little spot that does a little of both, and found a home from home perched a the bar.
Rating
Appeals to
The after work and weekend crowd (especially given the brunch menu), and one for the out of towners too, looking for an easy spot for lunch and dinner and a cocktail or two.
Cuisine
American – leaning on burgers and pizzas with a twist or two.
In A Word
Easy
The Ambiance
Situated in the Old Library, the decor is modern, eclectic, but sympathetic to the roots of the building. Soft colours of slate and green work with the deep wood shelving, high arches and columns of the interior. Splashes of brights and clean tiling reflect the light from the large windows.
The Food & Drink
The food is straightforward – thin crisp pizzas, burgers, and all the sides you’d expect – sweet potato fries, chicken wings and dough balls.
What makes it a little bit special are the twists on these. Not unexpected in style – the Reuben burger features a pretty substantial slab of salt beef along with sauerkraut, gherkin, Swiss cheese and Tabasco mayonnaise – making it a substantial mouthful – but it’s the quality of them that impresses. The burgers are juicy and tender, the buns less brioche and more sesame, and I almost defy you to manage to bite into a whole one – though there’s probably someone out there who can, I however, failed.
The pizzas too offer a twist – the bases are thin and crisp sourdough for a start (so you at least feel like you’re being a smidge healthier than when you consume a deep pan) – but it’s the toppings that will leave you stuck making a decision. The two most popular are the Beef Ragu & Chorizo featuring Parma ham, chorizo Iberico, beef ragu and salami pepperoni, and the Jerk Chicken with blackened jerk chicken, garlic butter base, marinated buffalo mozzarella, sweet peppers, red onion and caramelised pineapple. Yes I said pineapple.
Unsurprisingly, the latter ingredient causes much consternation and I’m told people often order it without the fruit. I tried it with, and must agree – with the sweet Peppardew peppers, it doesn’t need the extra sweetness.
Though I have yet to manage to visit at a suitable time for brunch, you can bet it’s on my hit list. My eyes list up at the thought of Marmite Hollandaise.
On the drinks menu, beers are craft, wines are varied, but it was the cocktail menu that drew me in. A mixture of classics and house specials, they’re pretty, balanced and tasty. All you could want from a cocktail menu, there’s something for everyone, even those who like a little spice, as they’ll find a tasty mouthful with the Strawberry and Chilli Martini – I tried the infused tequila. Phew.
The Verdict
Almost a home from home, Locke & Remedy is one of those great relaxed venues where you can hang with your laptop working during the day, and perch at the bar sipping cocktails in the evening.
It may not be where you finish your night, but it’s definitely where you’ll start it – and probably recover the morning after.
The Details
Locke & Remedy, Trinity Street, Cardiff CF10 1BH
http://lockeandremedy.com/