It's quite a small place (certainly no more covers than "Aunties") but they are opening an extension in October.
It's obvious from the start that they are not trying to emulate the other well known local Indian Restaurants. The sign outside says "Indian Fine Dinning" and they are definitely after something different.
I knew they were going to succeed when the popadoms arrived. They were about 2 inches in diameter, half plain and half spiced, with home made chutney's and not a tinned mango in sight!
I started with Lamb Pattice, which I guess was like a samosa, but in what I think was a semolina crust and not the usual crispy batter.
Mrs A, indecisive as ever, had a "Pearl" to start which was basically a taster portion of all the other starters on one plate.
Then I had a chicken Biriyani, which was served in a metal bowl with a pastry top and was really good. Mrs A had Prawn Moilee, after making sure they were big prawns and not those tiny frozen things
you often find in a bad curry.
She took a Steamed Basmati rice and we shared a Subz Kadai (Steamed Vegetables of the Day) on the side.
For dessert she chose had a Crème Brulee flavoured with Rose Petals and I had a Chocomosa, which was 3 chocolate samosa's and pistachio ice-cream and to die for!
All in all I was very impressed. They are certainly trying to aim for flavour as opposed to heat. Contrary to the norm in an Indian restaurant, where you can tell that they have 3 basic sauces that go on everything with a few minor additions; I felt that here each dish was individually designed and prepared. I'm sure the fact that the menu is a lot shorter than a standard Indian menu helps a lot.
The flavouring and seasoning was very good, bags of flavour where it needed to be and subtle hints to enhance it.
I would certainly go again and Mrs A declared it her new favourite Indian.
Oh the bill! Well with a large beer and 2 cokes the whole lot came to £52.50 which I thought was good value compared to what else is out there.
It's obvious from the start that they are not trying to emulate the other well known local Indian Restaurants. The sign outside says "Indian Fine Dinning" and they are definitely after something different.
I knew they were going to succeed when the popadoms arrived. They were about 2 inches in diameter, half plain and half spiced, with home made chutney's and not a tinned mango in sight!
I started with Lamb Pattice, which I guess was like a samosa, but in what I think was a semolina crust and not the usual crispy batter.
Mrs A, indecisive as ever, had a "Pearl" to start which was basically a taster portion of all the other starters on one plate.
Then I had a chicken Biriyani, which was served in a metal bowl with a pastry top and was really good. Mrs A had Prawn Moilee, after making sure they were big prawns and not those tiny frozen things
you often find in a bad curry.
She took a Steamed Basmati rice and we shared a Subz Kadai (Steamed Vegetables of the Day) on the side.
For dessert she chose had a Crème Brulee flavoured with Rose Petals and I had a Chocomosa, which was 3 chocolate samosa's and pistachio ice-cream and to die for!
All in all I was very impressed. They are certainly trying to aim for flavour as opposed to heat. Contrary to the norm in an Indian restaurant, where you can tell that they have 3 basic sauces that go on everything with a few minor additions; I felt that here each dish was individually designed and prepared. I'm sure the fact that the menu is a lot shorter than a standard Indian menu helps a lot.
The flavouring and seasoning was very good, bags of flavour where it needed to be and subtle hints to enhance it.
I would certainly go again and Mrs A declared it her new favourite Indian.
Oh the bill! Well with a large beer and 2 cokes the whole lot came to £52.50 which I thought was good value compared to what else is out there.
The Mint and Mustard, 134 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff, CF14 3LZ.
Tel. +44(0)2920 620 333. http://www.mintandmustard.com
