Sopra 73 - Cardiff

My dining experience was just average, lacking anything particularly special. The steak was cooked adequately, but the fries resembled frozen ones and were overly greasy. The presentation was also lacking, as the chef didn’t even bother to add a simple garnish to the salad. Given the price, the portion size was quite small. Additionally, the restaurant was very noisy, and the service was slow. I was disappointed, especially since I had seen such positive reviews about the place.

The crispy duck and cassoulet were beautifully presented, with flavorful beans; however, the duck could have been a richer color, perhaps with a glaze. A few fresh herbs on the plate would have also elevated the dish. While the main courses were attractive, they weren't particularly outstanding, and the sliced olives were not mentioned on the menu—a point to consider for anyone ordering this dish. The accompanying polenta chips were a delightful addition and offered good value, while the fries were perfectly crispy. The crème brûlée was fantastic, with visible vanilla seeds, but it was served alongside a short brown biscuit that didn't add much to the overall flavor. I mentioned this to the waitstaff, but the service left something to be desired; with too many tables tightly packed, it took a while to see a dessert menu, and I had to ask for it in the end, even though our table was cleared. The cavolo nero side dish was on the smaller side and could have been better chopped, while the tenderstem broccoli with almonds that another table had looked much more appealing. Overall, it was a nice meal, but nothing exceptional that would entice me to return.

Upon arrival, we were informed that we were seated at a very small table. While we ordered drinks, they were brought to us throughout the night, but we had to remind the staff for refills, as we were never offered more. At one point, we ordered food, but the restaurant was quite busy, and some of us had to wait a long time to be served. When our food finally arrived, there was no check-in from the staff, and we found ourselves having to whisper to each other about the lack of service. Additionally, we weren't provided with finger bowls or spoons for the sauce, leaving a lot to be desired. Overall, the experience was not what we had hoped for.

We had an excellent three course lunch at Sopra 73 and would definitely return. The fish soup starter was delicious as was the sea bass main. My husband enjoyed his risotto starter and steak main dish and we finished the meal with tasty desserts and coffee. The service was good, without being obtrusive and we have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant to family and friends.

What a lovely place! Beautifully decorated, we had table upstairs, lovely staff and delicious food. All in all GO THERE