Jamie's Italian, Cardiff. A Birthday Treat

It was my birthday at Easter and we were away in Aberystwyth so I hadn't planned going out in Cardiff for my birthday treat. Jamie's Italian was treating gold club members to a free bottle of Prosecco for their birthday. I am not anyone special, the gold club is a loyalty card given free to anyone who applies. They have a little treat for all members each month, a glass of wine, a taster and especially for birthdays, a free bottle of Prosecco. So how could I refuse?

Jamie's Italian, Cardiff. Welsh dragon painted on the wall upstairs

We booked a table on-line for Friday evening and when we arrived it was very busy but we were shown to our table very quickly.

In nicer weather there is seating outside Jamie's

Jamie's in Cardiff has upstairs and downstairs seating. The upstairs is more intimate and cosy. Or to us older folk too dark to read the menu. We like to sit downstairs and watch the world go by.

Chef's preparing the starters and desserts

View from the stairs leading to the balcony

One thing I really like about the service is the enthusiasm the waiting staff show when describing the dishes. They really make them sound so appetising and they are very knowledgeable.

A quick scan of my gold card produced a bottle of Jamie's Prosecco and a promise of a taster and for me only, the birthday girl, a free chocolate brownie dessert.

Delicious and complimentary. Cheers!

The menu has something for everyone, chicken, burgers, seafood, steak, lamb and vegan/vegetarian options.

We started with the taster. A small dish of breaded fried mushroom with lemon mayo.

Fried mushroom taster

For our starters Grandad had Spicy Meatball Bruschetta and I had Crispy Squid. What I like, but others may not, is that the squid is not the usual rings. This is the real deal, tentacles too. Delicious.

Spicy Meatball Bruschetta Starter

Crispy Squid Starter

For the main course Grandad had the Venetian Fish Stew. Lots of fish and sea food with some pasta in a delicious tomato and white wine sauce. Floating on top was crostini with brown crab aioli. Grandad said it was delicious.

Venetian Fish Stew with Crostini

 I had Gennaro's Famous Porchetta (I love Gennaro!). Slow cooked pork belly served with roasted vegetables. I was a little disappointed. the pork was delicious but not melt in your mouth and the roasted veg were very sparse on my plate. Mind you the plate was huge, as large a a serving platter. It was enough for me but if you have a large appetite then order chips or more veg to accompany it.

Gennaro's Famous Porchetta

For dessert Grandad had Apple and Blackberry Pavlova. He doesn't usually order dessert but he really enjoyed this. I had my complimentary Epic Brownie. I didn't read the menu at the restaurant but writing this I checked and it is described as being served with vanilla ice cream and caramelised popcorn. Definitely ice cream and popcorn but caramelised? I didn't think so, in fact I thought the popcorn was boring and not complimentary to the dish so scraped it off. I said to Grandad that it would have been better caramelised. Oh well. I did love the Brownie though.

Pavlova

Complimentary Brownie

We had a lovely time at Jamie's, our waitress was superb. I loved the little treats and the Prosecco was delicious. Would I go again. Yes, I like Jamie's but I'd wait until they change the menu. I thought it was a bit safe and I like to try new dishes when I eat out. The sort of dish that I wouldn't make at home. I think Jamie's is a little like Marmite. I love Marmite.

*We paid for our own meals and drinks except for the gold card complimentary treats. The restaurant did not know I was writing a review. All views are honest and my own.

Have you been to Jamie's? What is your favourite dish?

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