Cora is the first permanent site for head chef Lee Skeet, who was former head chef at Hedone while it had a Michelin star. Skeet has also worked at a number of one, two, and three Michelin star restaurants around the globe, before settling down in Cardiff and creating Cora - named after his daughter.
Cora is a small restaurant that only fits 12 diners and serves a tasting menu for lunch and dinner. The dining room feels like the front room of a house, and is a casual environment with moody lighting, a fireplace, wooden tables, and simple decor. Skeet is inspired by surf and skate culture, so you'll hear hip hop over the speakers while you eat.
The restaurant's menu is subject to change, but remains primarily rooted around seafood. Meats, game, and produce change seasonally, yet the menu will usually consist of a canape followed by six courses with additional courses possible depending on availability. It is £75pp for the six course dinner menu, or £50 for the lunch menu that is typically three courses but can be changed to six. Each menu also has a pairing of wine flights available, as well as a selection of other drinks.
You never know exactly what to expect at Cora, but past menu options include Otoro bluefin tuna belly sashimi; roast duck, baked lettuce, blueberries and seaweed sauce; or barbecued mackerel with cucumber and cider vinegar sauce topped with grapes and hazelnuts. Past dessert options have been chilled lime posset with warm chocolate mousse, raspberry biscuit, and vanilla marscapone; apple and caramel millefuille; or lime and blackberry tart. And if you're lucky, maybe you'll have the chance to try out Skeet's filled chocolate skulls... rest assured that you will always get something fun to eat.