I'm kinda new here, hi!

Like most weekends, this one has involved much food sampling and bracing fresh Welsh air (more of the former if I am being truthful). Friday night was spent in the pleasantly heaving Bar 44 in Penarth. Mr B and I perched at the bar over looking the kitchen and feasted on slow cooked Ox cheeks with buttery mash, sublimely crispy artichokes, patatas bravas, iberico chorizo, fried duck egg with smokey peppers & Spanish black pudding, and smooth jamon croquetas…. With the obligatory bread, Rijoca and espresso to finish. All of which tasted so good that in all honesty we could have just kept going. The crispy artichokes with delicate shavings of Manchego make my mouth water at the mere memory. As I love to cook, watching the kitchen was ace. I love the nosey aspect of it, watching the various members of the brigade get subtly scalded or praised by Chef added a certain theatre to the evening. I didn’t take any photos, I was too busy dipping, crunching and enjoying every morsel. But I promise that I will get over my aversion to taking photos in restaurants very soon, I know this could get pretty dull for you without a bit of visual stimulation…

On to Saturday.

 I’m relatively new to Cardiff, been here for about 16 months now, and been in North East Cardiff for only a month or so. I love finding new independent shops to fuel my foodie obsessions. Yesterday we tried out E. Pattersons Butchers in Fairwater, along with the Greengrocers just around the corner.

Some great Welsh meat at Pattersons and superb service- I do love a bargain (rule being that quality can’t be sacrificed for price though). Check this out: 2 x Sirloin steaks, 2 x pork chops, 4 x plump pork sausages, 500g stewing beef, 500g pork belly, pack of spicy chipolatas, chunk of black pud and a breast of lamb for about £21- how good is that! Yes you may have guessed that Mr B and I favour the cheaper cuts of meat- I love to slow cook and turn an unloved piece of fodder into an unctuous delight. In fact that night I took the skin off the pork belly to make some naughty brittle sticks of crackling to accompany pre dinner drinks, and made a stunning (modest, sure) traditional Sri Lankan curry with the meat itself. My love for Sri Lankan food and the whys and where’s of that will have to come another time, or I am in danger of never ending this entry.

We picked up a few more bits and pieces at Roath Farmers Market- bread, eggs, veggies… BEEF BACON! I know that I have already gone on a bit here, but I have to quickly tell you of the beefy wondrousness of Cig Lodor subtly sweet and spicy Beef bacon, fried in a smidgen of oil until meat and fat are crispy, sprinkled with Maldon and served with Cerdin sour dough and fresh soft yolks in front of the rugby. Well, lets just say our simple lunch went down better that the match results (that’s me attempting to engage with sport fyi).

 Today was spent messing with sand and swings with a friend and their kids at Parc Play. After many a chilly hour hoisting the small people onto wooden pirate ships and climbing mini teletubby hills, us grown ups were rewarded with Thalis and mango lassis at  The Vegetarian Food Studio around the corner. The hot, fresh breads dipped in homely spiced lentils and a hot little chickpea number were exactly what was in order. As was the sticky sweet cardamom laced yoghurty pud. The service was warm and friendly as always, and we came away with a box of sweets, again, as always…

 And now? Time for a cup of chai, a saucer of Barfi and an episode of Mr Selfridge. First blog done, and pleased to report that Mr B has noticed that both a steak and a saucer have made an appearance in this inaugural entry. I look forward to starting the week with a full freezer of meaty goodness, a fridge of vibrant fruit and veg and a well stocked larder.

One last thing, I forgot to mention that I am on a diet. Whoops.