Classy, ambitious cooking has marked out Mint & Mustard as the place in Cardiff for Indian food with a sense of occasion. Understated wooden floors, pale walls and simple modern furnishings allow the food to do the talking, and it has lots to say thanks to the expert cooking of the restaurant’s head chef Rahul Chauhan and his talented team. Here you’ll find recipes that are true to their roots, and made from wholesome, natural ingredients whose flavours shine through.
Typically upbeat specialities might run from chicken infused with star anise or nandu (crispy soft-shell crab dusted with curry leaves and garlic, served with avocado and bell pepper salad) to mains of lamb shank Awadhi with parsnips, sweet potatoes and rösti, Goan pork ‘vindhalu’ or tandoori quail marinated with red chilli. Veggies can feast on Punjabi samosas, mango curry or five spiced paneer masala, and there are also meat and vegetarian tasting menus for those who fancy a guided tour through the kitchen’s repertoire.
Finish things off with a ‘chocosamosa’ (a chocolate ganache and almond filled samosa served with caramelised banana and vanilla ice cream), a rose brûlée or mango and passion fruit sorbet. Or, if you can’t decide, opt for the pudding platter, which includes a chocosamosa, rose brûlée and tandoori pineapple.
To drink, you’ll find a list of wines that have been carefully selected to complement the fragrant food, plus a selection of beers that includes Kingfisher, Tiger and a number of local craft beers and ciders. Prices are a little higher than an average neighbourhood Indian restaurant, but considering the quality, Mint & Mustard provides excellent value for money.
Those impressed with what they taste here might consider undertaking one of the restaurant’s cookery experiences. Available to book in three, four and five-hour sessions, they provide the opportunity to learn how to cook some of the more popular dishes served in the restaurant.