A new Cardiff city centre gastropub championing Welsh food and drink is set to open next week and we’ve taken a first look inside.
Croeso Pubs Limited, which also owns The Philharmonic, Brewhouse, Retro and the Blue Bell will open Daffodil on Monday, December 6, on the former site of 33 Windsor Place.
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The former Brains pub locked its doors during the Covid-19 pandemic and has remained shut since but it’s set to reopen as a gastropub under the stewardship of general manager Alex Howells, who has a strong pedigree when it comes to launching top Welsh pubs.
Alex has been in the restaurant trade since he was 18, when he started out in the Red Fox in Penllyn. He went on to be part of the team to set up the hugely successful Hare & Hounds in Aberthin, which has won many awards including a Michelin Bib Gourmand before launching its sister site The Heathcock, in Llandaff, which has also been lauded in both the Michelin and the Good Food guides.
With the Daffodil, Alex hopes to occupy a gap in the market in Cardiff city centre for a Welsh gastropub.
“That was exactly the whole ethos behind it, thinking if I was in the centre of town, where would I be going for a really good traditional Welsh, local, seasonally-led pub? There's nothing in town. There are good places to eat but not just serving high quality local Welsh fare,” said Alex.
In keeping with the ethos of celebrating Welsh produce, the Daffodil will make as much use of local suppliers as possible.
"We're using Ashton's as our fishmongers and Glamorgan Meats from slightly further afield in the Vale. We're making sure that as we're growing, smaller businesses are growing with us. Why go to all the big boys when you can use people on your doorstep that are sourcing things from on your doorstep?" said Alex.
Real ales on tap will be Jemima's Pitchfork from Glamorgan Brewing Company and HPA from Wye Valley and a rotating guest pump will have beers from Well Drawn Brewing and Tiny Rebel amongst others.
Alex added: “We will be making everything in-house to offer Cardiff a true Welsh produce food-led venue that is accessible to everyone. Though we are perfectly based for the nearby offices and university, we hope to welcome people of all backgrounds to Daffodil. There will be tasty food for every price point with a very service-led laidback style of service. We want people to feel like they have come to an old friend’s house for dinner, and we are really looking forward to welcoming people again.
“We were inspired to name it after the Welsh national flower and think it’s the perfect name for a pub/restaurant in the Welsh capital that celebrates local tastes and suppliers. If you want to just come for a drink, there is plenty on offer, including, of course, a very warm welcome.”
Daffodils’s menu, devised by Croeso Pubs Ltd’s executive chef Jamie Newman, will feature dishes including starters like ham hock scotch egg, pan seared king scallops and crispy squid, as well as mains such as rack of Welsh lamb, fish pie, a selection of steaks and vegan options. Desserts will include panna cotta with passion fruit syrup and lemon posset.
Jamie explained: “We will be offering a varied and sophisticated menu with dishes made from good quality locally-sourced products wherever possible. Diners will be able to enjoy good Welsh food throughout the day as well as a selection of varied sandwiches for a lighter option and a traditional Sunday lunch.”
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