Laguna Bar & Kitchen, part of the Park Plaza Hotel, has always been my "time to impress" date restaurant, and going there this past Monday for dinner only reconfirmed this impression.
The moment you walk into the bar area and see the sleek, minimalist design with large black and white photos, you get the impression of a chic, big city restaurant with lines out the door for a table. The bar is well furnished and well stocked with many fantastic cocktails and wines, as well as its own menu for quick & cheap eating over a drink. There's also a beautifully decorated outside seating area overlooking the river running alongside the restaurant which is a great place to enjoy your meal on one of Wales' rare sunny days.
The restaurant itself is a high ceilinged dining room with plenty of tables and a literal wall full of wines. Along with a lovely glass of red, I ordered the Lemon Roasted Jerusalem Artichoke Salad to start, followed by the Madgetts Farm honey roast duck breast. The artichoke salad was tasty, though the jerusalem artichoke was a bit sparse when compared with the other vegetables, but the mussels were both plentiful and well received.
The duck was served with potato dauphinoise, blood orange braised endives, and cherry jus, and I can confidently say it was some of the best duck I've ever had! The meat was moist and flavorful and perfectly complimented by the sweet and tart jus, the dauphinoise creamy while still maintaining some crisp on the potatoes, and the endive mouth watering and delicately flavored.
From the attentive staff to the delicious seasonal dishes that never leave you disappointed, Laguna Bar & Kitchen is a great place for date nights, special occasions, or even just a quiet drink and snack on your own. I couldn't recommend them highly enough.
Website: http://www.lagunakitchenandbar.com/index.php
A La Carte Menu: http://www.lagunakitchenandbar.com/downloads/A%20La%20Carte%20Menu%20-%20Spring%202015.pdf read more