Bill’s Restaurant and Bar has undergone a major transformation with modern decor, luxurious velvet seating and stunning chandeliers.
Set in the beautiful Edwardian Wyndham arcade, it’s amongst a rare breed of independent restaurants, cafes and specialist shops.
The transformation doesn’t stop with the interior, there is a refurbished terrace too and they have added an extra 12 seats outside – perfect for the summer months and beyond.
The restaurant also has a special partnership with Cineworld for three months after re-opening, which allows anyone who watches a film at the Mary Ann Street Cineworld to get either a free starter or dessert or free cocktail when buying a main course at Bill’s.
The food
Bill’s always comes highly recommended by anyone that you to speak with in Cardiff. I’ve not heard a negative word said about them. They are renowned for their food quality, freshness and flavours.
On our recent visit, we ordered the Sirloin Steak and Pan Fried Sea Bass, all of which lived up to its reputation – both were full of flavour and cooked exactly as ordered.
You would expect all of this to be reflected in the price, however, you may be surprised to learn (if you haven’t visited before) that it’s fair and on average what you would expect to pay elsewhere. Starters range from £5.95 – £7.50, mains from £10.50 and desserts from £4.95. Their new evening menu offers great value for money and contains key favourites from the main menu too.
Although the restaurant interiors have had a revamp, the food is still at the very core of every Bill’s restaurant. The menu has always had a strong emphasis on vegetarian food and fresh produce which stems from founder Bill Collison’s days as a greengrocer and the basis of his first restaurant in Lewes.
They have introduced seasonal changes to their menus and new evening specials with dishes such as Steak and Rarebit Pie and Vegan Black Bean Chilli, a new dinner set menu with fantastic nightly specials including Lamb Shank with Truffled Mash.
The set dinner menu contains favourites including Pan Fried Sea Bass (although a slight twist on the main menu’s version) and Grilled Chicken with Rosemary Fries. In our opinion, this offers great value.
For afters, we kept it simple with a warm chocolate brownie, which was delicious. Topped with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and a flake for good measure.
The Eton Mess, well, it was fresh, light and a great way to finish after our main course.
They have also improved their cocktail menu with drinks including Bill’s Collins – Wyborowa Vodka, rhubarb liqueur, raspberry syrup and lime juice and Hedgerow Fizz – Wild Sussex elderflower cordial topped with prosecco.
We didn’t have cocktails on this occasion, but it’s definitely a place we would come back to, just to give these a try.
Service
We were seated quickly and slightly early ahead of our booking time, which we appreciated.
Staff were polite and attentive throughout, ensuring our glasses were refilled and asking if we had everything that we needed. The waitress that served us was very knowledgeable of the menu, giving us recommendations and complimenting our choices.
Towards the end of the evening, we felt like we were forgotten about a little bit (although, this was no bad thing). Contrary, we didn’t feel rushed, allowing us to savour the moment and take in the quirks and delights of the venue.
Verdict
Staying true to their word, Bill’s has re-established itself as a modern restaurant and bar, without losing its traditional charm and menu choices.
Located on the edge of Wyndham Arcade, off of The Hayes, it offers the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city centre. It’s nice to see that its transformation has maintained its unique style, which is in-keeping with the arcade’s tradition.
There is an excellent selection of choices on their menu, and I’m looking forward to returning to try their sharers over a couple of house cocktails. Portions, although they may not look it from the photos above, were decent – it left us with the difficult decision of whether or not to choose a starter or dessert.
To find out more and book, click here.
