Located on High Street, in what is quickly becoming a foodie mecca, is Terra Mare. The team at Silures on Wellfield Road have taken over the unit recently vacated by The Libertine to offer a dining experience that seamlessly blends the rustic charm of Southern Italy with a modern culinary twist.
The unit has been given a full makeover with the dark green and gold exterior being carried through into the bar and dining room. The comfortable and welcoming modern décor is accented with rustic prints of Italian villages.
Our experience began with a hearty welcome, quickly followed up with a welcome cocktail featuring orange gin, rum calvados, and champagne—a bold, alcohol-forward drink that set the tone for the evening — accompanied with crunchy bar snacks. No detail has been forgotten a luxe tag being provided for our coats. Walking through the dining area it’s easy to see how the space can accommodate larger groups and private parties, with alcoves well suited to an intimate luxury celebration.
We tucked into the 5-course tasting menu. A standout feature of the evening was the feather-light focaccia served before the courses started. High and light, simply served with salt and olive oil it was a promising sign that the rest of the dishes would be of the same high quality.
The antipasti of aubergine parmesan was perfectly seasoned, offering layers of flavour from the fried aubergine, roasted tomatoes, and mozzarella, with an accompanying tomato sauce that is rich and comforting.
Next came the spaghettoni alla poveraccia, a simple yet incredibly fresh pasta dish. Extruded using brass die heads, the spaghetti had a rustic texture allowing the light and tangy tomato, caper, and olive sauce to cling to it. The breadcrumbs offered a nice contrast of textures and the overall combination was satisfying without feeling overly heavy, allowing the quality of the ingredients to shine.
The Mare (sea) course was the true star of the evening—grilled octopus cooked to perfection on an energy-efficient synergy grill. Paired with spicy n’duja and fava beans, the octopus was tender and full of flavour, enhanced by grilled fennel. It was easily the highlight of the meal and guaranteed to convert octopus sceptics!
The Terra (earth) course was wood pigeon, cooked expertly for me, though my partner’s portion had a touch of sinew. Despite that minor drawback, the dish’s croquettes had a rich, livery flavour that contrasted beautifully with the sweetness of the burnt leeks and squash, creating a wonderful balance of flavours.
The evening concluded with a panna cotta that was the perfect end to the meal – light yet flavourful, with the perfect wobble. It was served with passionfruit, raspberry, and a crisp date element that added an unexpected but delightful flavour punch.
Alongside, we sampled two house wines from Ponte Pietra, a Merlot and Pinot blend, as well as a Trebbiano Garganega—both complementing the varied flavours of the meal.
The team were welcoming and knowledgeable, and willing to answer our questions about how dishes were sourced and cooked. From our welcome to departure we felt well looked after and like nothing was too much trouble.
Overall, the portion sizes were generous for a tasting menu, leaving us satisfied but not uncomfortably full. Priced at £50 a head the 5-course tasting menu was great value for money. The restaurant also offers the option for a wine pairing, and a 7-course tasting menu as well as a set menu and a la carte. They also boast a hefty drinks menu including alcohol forward cocktails, a library of wines and a healthy collection of spirits and liqueurs.
Terra Mare’s dedication to provenance is clear, with ingredients sourced both locally and from Italy, including tomatoes from a farm in Italy reclaimed from mafia control—a detail that speaks to Chef Francesco Germinario’s commitment to ethical sourcing. The balance of traditional Southern Italian flavours with contemporary techniques makes Terra Mare a must-visit for anyone seeking a culinary journey through Puglia right here in Cardiff.
Terra Mare will be open to the public from Friday 11TH October and bookings are now open at https://terramare-amh.com.
