Ember, a new restaurant in Cardiff, offers delicious Italian-inspired dishes by renowned chefs Tommy Heaney and Dave Killick
Cardiff: So, I recently checked out Ember, the new spot in Pontcanna opened by two of the best chefs in town. It’s been buzzing since it opened, and I had to see what the fuss was about. The place took over the old Bully’s site, which had been around for ages, so it had some big shoes to fill.
As soon as I walked in, I felt the vibe. It’s cozy and inviting, with a mix of bar seating and dining tables. The decor is simple but charming, thanks to some local art. We went on a Friday night, and the place was packed, buzzing with excitement from the staff and diners alike.
We started with some drinks—because, hey, it was Friday! The menu had a ton of tempting options, so we decided to try a bit of everything. We kicked things off with their garlic and rosemary focaccia and some cauliflower arancini. Let me tell you, those arancini were a must-have!
Each bite was a flavor explosion. The focaccia was fluffy and perfect for dipping. Then we moved on to the larger plates. The crispy lamb belly was addictive, and the semolina gnocchi with smoked haddock was creamy and comforting. Seriously, I could eat that every day!
We also tried the British burrata, which was just divine. The cheese was rich and creamy, paired perfectly with crunchy potato straws. We were practically fighting over it! Then came the pasta—spaghetti and strozzapreti. The strozzapreti was the star, bursting with flavor and just the right amount of spice.
By the time we got to dessert, we were pretty full, but we couldn’t resist sharing the chocolate and hazelnut doughnut. It was sweet and indulgent, the perfect way to end the meal. After all that, I can confidently say Ember is going to be a favorite in Cardiff for a long time. If you’re in the area, definitely check it out!