Ad | Fancy a festive catch up with Cardiff food and lifestyle bloggers? Yes, please?! Earlier this week I headed to Thomas Restaurant for a festive dinner at Future Inn Cardiff Bay. It is not often I get to be a customer, so was looking forward to trying the food and drink and experiencing the Christmas vibes.
I love Christmas, and working in hospitality is a 12-month affair. Information needs to be refreshed on the website throughout the year, so the Sales team can encourage people to book. As well as sorting posters, brochures, and including it on the social media schedule. Believe it or not, the central booking windows are in January, April, July and September – months before the big day. Not only are people booking Christmas parties for their team, but Sunday lunch with Santa, Christmas Day lunch, New Year’s Eve celebrations and hotel reservations are also being made. Plus, festive catch up’s in the restaurant – just like we did.
Thomas Restaurant is a little unknown, and the team are trying to position themselves as a contender. Trying to get rid of a hotel restaurant stigma is a little hard, but if the likes of Greys at the Hilton and Culley’s at The Exchange can do it, then this one is in with a chance too.
Why choose Thomas Restaurant in Cardiff Bay?
So, what are the perks? For a start, all of the food is homemade. As a self-confessed food snob, this is what I expect when dining out. I hate paying for something that is more mediocre quality than what I make at home. I want to know it’s fresh and hasn’t be bunged in the microwave.
It also uses local and Welsh produce. The menu gives you a ‘taste of Wales’. Some of the dishes on the menu that stand out to me are Anglesey Eggs Blaenafon Cheddar & Leek Sauce, Herb Crumb, Grilled Homemade Sourdough (v), Braised Lamb Shoulder Onion Cake, Carrot & Caraway Puree, Homemade Mint Sauce (gf) and Homemade Raspberry and White Chocolate Cheesecake, Raspberry & Basil Sorbet (v).
Traditional roasts are served on Sundays and the Taste of Wales afternoon tea is only £14 per person, with sandwiches, savoury and sweet scones, homemade cakes and unlimited servings of tea.
What’s on the festive menu?
Labelled as the ideal menu for the ‘family to catch up, exchange Christmas gifts with friends or a celebration with the office team’. On the Festive Dinner at Future Inn Cardiff menu you can choose two or three courses starting from £14 per person. Starters include a warming winter vegetable soup with rosemary croutons (v) (vg) (gf on request) or a chicken liver pate with red onion, fig and pear chutney with balsamic dressing and toasted brioche.
The mains keep it traditional and straightforward. Meat eaters can dine on a classic roast turkey wrapped in bacon with sage and onion stuffing, pigs in blankets and a rich red wine jus (gf on request) or for vege’s and vegans; Mushroom, lentils, sweet potato and spinach Wellington with a spicy salsa (v) (vg).
Our party had a dessert platter, with lots of sweet treats to indulge on, which had tart au citron and triple chocolate mousse. The festive menu, however, gives you a choice of chocolate and coconut tart with raspberry sorbet (v) (vg) or a traditional Christmas pudding with brandy sauce.
The Little Cardiff Social
Thank you to Gemma, The Little Cardiff Social, also known as The Little Cardiff Blog, who sorts regular catch-ups for bloggers throughout the year. I have mentioned this before, but blogging has become my social life and has allowed me to make new friends and acquaintances as I edge even closer to my late 30s. It was such a fun evening, pulling Christmas crackers, and getting into the festive spirit.
Disclaimer – I was invited to attend the event free of charge, but I have not been asked to write a review of my experience of the evening. All my posts are honest reviews and reflect my thoughts, experience and personality.
