Mesen

Featured reviews

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  Shaunna Bowen

  ·2 months ago

  “We've visited a few times and it's always amazing. We love how the menu always changes so there is always something new to try. It can be expensive if you order a lot of dishes like we do, but it's always been worth it”

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  Simon & Helen Thomas

  ·2 months ago

  “Our son had recommended this place, and we were happy to give it a try lol ast night - a warm sunny Saturday. It's a very interesting menu; the dishes are clearly ambitious, different and focused on open flame cooking. They recommended 5 or 6 small plates though they had large plates too, e.g. whole sea bass, T bone steak and others (see menu). We opted for the flatbread with 3 dips (the burnt onion an easy winner) and the tomato/ricotta small plates, to start - then the whole sea bass with potatoes and wood fired veg as a mains to share. The proportions were generous and the flavours equally plentiful. The veg was sadly far too salty, spoiling the wood fired flavour (they agreed and removed from our bill without even asking, to be fair). The restaurant was open wide at the front letting the warm evening sun in. While inside the restaurant was warmly lit and welcoming - and bustling with laughter, busy staff and aromas of wood fired dishes - all to backdrop of great music and a busting bar, shaking out cocktails. All in all, an excellent experience with great service too. Will be back soon.”

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  Nolan A

  ·4 months ago

  “Mesen has been open for around three years and is run by a proprietor who previously lived in London for many years. Located just around the corner from Rhiwbina railway station, it occupies a prominent position on the high street, with shops lining both sides of the road. Outside, there are a couple of grey metal tables and chairs. Inside, the bistro-cocktail bar has a contemporary feel with wooden floors, wooden tables, black chairs, and tan leather banquette seating running along the left-hand wall. The bar sits at the far end, finished with green brick tiling, while fairy lights and artificial greenery soften the dark grey ceiling. A blackboard menu and various paintings on the walls complete the relaxed atmosphere. I started with the Mexican Highball, garnished with two apple slices. It was refreshing and well suited to a summer evening, although it was slightly on the weak side. The chicken wings were recommended by the waitress. As someone who does not usually order wings, I gave them a try but found them fairly average. They were rather fiddly to eat and would have benefited from a finger bowl or hand wipes being provided. The scallops arrived as a portion of two served on the shell. One was a reasonable size while the other was noticeably small. The dish was swimming in oil, flavoured with chilli flakes and caramelised butter. The flavours themselves were enjoyable, but the excessive amount of oil detracted from the overall experience. The mussels were perhaps the most interesting dish of the evening. They came in a vibrant green garlic-based sauce with a subtle nutty flavour. The garlic was present without being overpowering, which worked very well. My only criticism was the portion size, which felt rather small. A Negroni followed and was well presented. It was sweeter than a traditional version, likely due to the vermouth used, but remained an enjoyable cocktail. Unfortunately, the tiramisu was disappointing. It lacked the characteristic coffee flavour and there was little sign of Marsala. The dessert felt unbalanced and did not resemble a traditional tiramisu. Service throughout was friendly and attentive. However, the restaurant applies a 12.5% service charge, which feels more in keeping with London than Cardiff. While the service was good, it was not exceptional, and the charge is presented as optional. A lower percentage would seem more appropriate for the setting. Overall, Mesen offers an attractive setting, some well-made cocktails, and flashes of creativity from the kitchen. However, inconsistent execution, small portions, and the relatively high service charge mean that it falls short of being a destination dining experience.”

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  Charlie Bull

  ·7 months ago

  “Fantastic evening of food and hospitality. Every dish was flawless, we had the Scallops with Chili Butter, Aubergine Courgette & Blue Cheese, shared the Pigs Head Flatbreads & Parsley Salad with Smoked Potatoes for a main. And of course, for science, we tried the Caramel Brownie with Chantily Cream to finish. The scallops were unreal, we could easily come back and just request a tray of 12. The pigs head was cooked to perfection, a suckling crack with melt in the mouth tender meat underneath. Staff were so friendly and engaging, great background music, creating a relaxed atmosphere all evening. So if you're looking for a new Cardiff food diamond this the venue. We will be back. Thank you Beti Biggs Pontcanna for recommending this place”

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  Harry Wood

  ·8 months ago

  “Giving it 5 stars A superb restaurant in Rhiwbina, highly recommend, probably one of the best soundtracks in a restaurant I’ve come across. Food was fantastic, the staff told us the menu changes every 4 days. Wine list also great. Had small problem with one dish and staff handled well and removed from the bill. The staff were very professional and friendly, offered us some complementary drinks as well. It is very expensive for what you get, some dishes seemed overpriced, special cocktail was mainly ice. However, would still highly recommend, good vibes, great menu and will happily return.”

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  Charlie Gardiner

  ·11 months ago

  “Honestly, I think this place might be Rhiwbina's best-kept secret. The vibes are immaculate - moody lighting, top-tier playlist, and staff who make you feel like you're coming home every time you walk in. The food? Unreal. We started with a sweet potato, spinach, avocado & feta salad (fresh + sweet), then moved on to the tortilla beef skewer (I'd go back tomorrow for this alone.) The main event has to be the T-bone. Hands down the best steak l've eaten in South Wales. Sides were a feast in themselves - smoked potatoes with beetroot butter, woodfired veg with that deep charred flavour, and flatbread with salsa macha butter that I'm still dreaming about. And then, of course, we finished on a treacle tart with coffee cream (decadence on a plate). As always, we shared a couple of bottles of our favourite El Gaitero rosé cider - and rounded the night off with cocktails. An old fashioned for him, a margarita for me (and let me just say... easily the best marg l've ever had). We've yet to find a single thing on the menu that isn't worth raving about.”

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  Jules Bishop

  ·2 years ago

  “Wow, my wife had been here before but it was my first visit, and I wasn't disappointed. We went on a Sunday so had the reduced menu, essentially a "Sunday Roast" - but it was so much more! Sharing starters were Sardines (5) or Partridge (2 legs, 2 breasts), both were absolutely lovely and very flavoursome, having been cooked over open flame. For mains the protein choices were Chicken, Pork or T-Bone Steak (for 2 to share), served with coal roasted potatoes, fire cooked cabbage and roasted carrots, all plates are served with a home made Yorkshire Puddings and jugs of Gravy. The portions were very generous and exceedingly good! There was a good selection of Desserts which also went down well in my party. Cocktails and wine were both also great. Don't be put off by the price tag, it's worth it; and for those who eat a little less, you'll have enough to take home to be able to enjoy it again another day!! Lastly there were vegetarian and vegan options, but we didn't try any of these.”

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  Leonie Martin

  ·2 years ago

  “Mesen currently have a monthly bottomless brunch session going on. 12.30-2.30pm with multiple tasty dishes such as salted chicken, mackerel and crispy pork belly and copious amounts of Prosecco, beer or wine. It was pretty full when I visited and the atmosphere was great. Music going and staff really made it a good time. Can’t wait to return to try their Sunday lunch.”

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  Geraint Jones

  ·3 years ago

  “My friends and I had a great evening at Mesen. The quality of the ingredients and cooking were fantastic and the atmosphere was electric. The flatbread was perhaps the tastiest bread I’ve ever had and the steak was sensation. I’m going again for the Sunday lunch so looking forward to trying more dishes soon!”

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  Mark Sutton

  ·3 years ago

  “What a fantastic experience. The booking was easy and we were seated within minutes. Staff are very helpful and knowledgeable on the current menu, the food arrived quick, well presented and of exceptional taste and quality. Booking is advised as the restaurant is extremely popular. The menu is dynamic and offers new dishes to try, this keeps the code of food vibrant, fresh and always appealing. I highly recommend it here and will most definitely return on a more regular basis. No faults whatsoever, 10/10.”

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