Heathcock in Cardiff has been operating for over 100 years, and now takes the form of a relaxed and informal gastropub serving up elevated yet hearty cooking. The restaurant prides itself on not being a pretentious fine dining restaurant, that still creates good quality food and drinks for its customers.
The restaurant itself has a rustic and clean country vibe, with its mismatched wooden furniture, bright white walls, and casual decoration in the form of flowers, wine bottles, and yellow lighting. Natural light also streams in through the stained-glass panels on the windows, and food can be served at the bar or in the dining room. In fact, the tesm encourage sharing plates, so depending on the size of your party you should try and make a reservation to make sure you have enough table space.
Heathcock's menu is completely seasonal, and focuses on bringing in the best produce, meat, and game that the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff have to offer - or else the staff take from their kitchen's fruit and vegetable garden. Everything is made from scratch in the kitchen, and the menu changes twice a day to accomodate for the locality and seasonality of the food.
Because of the changing nature of the menu, it is near impossible to expect what you're going to get before you arrive, yet expect bar snacks like salmon pastrami or Maldon oysters, specials like braised venison with red wine, smoked bacon, cavolo nero, and confit potato or cold roast beef, duck fat toast, and horseradish. The main menu also has options like stuffed rabbit leg, braised shoulder pithivier, Vale of Taff ceps, and tarragon. Just make sure to save room for dessert, because there should be fun choices of donuts, classic puddings, or souffles.
Diners can also wash down their meal with any of Heathcock's cocktails, wines, beers, or non-alcoholic beverages. There is also a Champagne Bar, for those so inclined.