Turtle Bay Restaurant and Bar Cardiff - Review

On my "Make 2016 The Best Year Ever" lists of things to make me happy one was to eat out. Grandad and I had stopped going out especially as the nights got wetter and colder. It was all too much trouble and being retired, too expensive. So we have decided that we will make the effort and at least once a month we are going to eat out somewhere in Cardiff. I must say once I get my free bus pass in March we may go out more often!

Lots of people on social media had been talking about a new restaurant and bar that had opened in Cardiff city centre - Turtle Bay Restaurant and Bar. They just loved the goat curry and the atmosphere so this was our next destination.

We booked a table for 7pm and were told, nicely, that we had to be finished by eight thirty. This suited us we could always finish our drinks at the bar if necessary. We arrived ten minutes early and when we walked in it was loud and dark. It is quite an atmosphere, Friday night and lots of happy people.

We were shown to our table. A table for four to the side of the bar. I just love having a big table so I do not have to juggle plates and glasses.

Our waitress introduced herself to us and repeated her name but sadly I didn't get it over the music and really didn't want her to repeat it again. She told us we were just in time for their 2 4 1 cocktails and drinks, so instead of a bottle of wine we had 2 glasses and 2 free! A fabulous start to the evening.

Grandad chose the goat curry with rice and peas. Dumplings came with it and he ordered a side of sweet potato chips with cheese.

Dumplings- similar to soft bread stick, really nice.

I am not very good with chilli, although I do like them I'm a complete wimp if they are hot and lots of the food had scotch bonnet chillies in them. I chose the goat burger with rice and peas. You can choose to have chips, rice and peas or salad with the burger and I presume the other meals too.

The food arrived quickly and I remembered to photograph it but I was sat with the light behind me and it was quite dark. The curry came in a contemporary enamelled bowl and the burger on a piece of paper on a board. I know I'm old fashioned but why can't I have a plate? Never mind at least it was on fresh paper.

Grandad enjoyed his curry and loved the rice and peas. My burger was fantastic but it was so hot! There was two different garnishes one green, that was as hot as wasabi and one white with flecks that looked as innocent as mayo but was as hot as anything. It made my tongue go numb. I asked for a fresh roll with nothing on it and very quickly was brought a fresh lightly toasted roll. Now the burger was great, still a bit warm but for a wimp like me perfect. The rice and peas were fantastic.

For dessert I ordered the Lemon and Lime tart with passion fruit sauce. As the picture shows I had chopped a bit off before I took a photo! I didn't eat all the pastry as it was a bit soft and boring but the filling was delicious, they should serve it alone in a small bowl, not on paper on a board (shut up Nanny that's how the do it now!). It was really fresh and light.

Just before we left I went to the ladies. WOW. Even if you don't want to eat here, you must buy a drink, or two, and visit the ladies. Bright, colourful, quirky!

We really enjoyed our meal. the staff are lovely, the atmosphere is party like but for me the food was a little too hot. I'm sure we'll be back, maybe in the summer and have some rum cocktails.

Have you been to Turtle Bay Restaurant and Bar? What did you like best?


Disclaimer- We paid for our own meals and drinks.  The restaurant did not know I would be writing a review. All views are honest and my own.

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