Tucked away in Cardiff’s “most affluent and fashionable suburb”, this tiny restaurant has earned a big reputation among Cardiff foodies thanks largely to its “interesting” French-inspired cooking, admirable use of seasonal Welsh produce and carefully sourced Gallic wine list. It also has the “added attraction of a characterful owner” who oversees proceedings in the quirky, rustic dining room. The space is homely and eclectic, with sky blue walls, mismatched chairs, and pictures covering every inch of the wall space. Service is friendly and efficient, so whether it’s an impromptu meal for two mid-week or a celebratory dinner at the weekend, guests can expect to be treated as such.
The cooking shows enterprise and imagination across the board, whether you choose to dine from the set lunch, tasting, Sunday roast or a la carte menu. The a la carte menu is inspired by the seasons, but may include starters such as seared scallops with cauliflower purée, roasted cauliflower and curried oil or pan-fried foie gras offset by plum puree, caramelised plums and a ginger crumb. Mains, meanwhile, might take the form of rosemary and garlic roasted lamb loin served with wild garlic and pea arancini, hispi cabbage and Wye valley asparagus, or pan-roasted loin of Halibut with tiger prawn ravioli, buttered spinach, samphire, coral roe and shellfish saffron cream sauce. After that, desserts often provide a playful modern take on the classics – try the Valrhona chocolate mousse with Disaronno ice cream, vanilla sponge and coffee gel, or plump for a classic sticky toffee pudding.
Sunday lunch is deemed “great value”, while couples do well with the fixed-price ‘French’ lunch menu. For those looking to push the boat out, Bully’s eight-course tasting menu features plenty of truffle and a glass of Pol Roger to kick things off with. Tables at weekends get booked up quickly, so it’s best to reserve early.