Housed within a beautiful 19th-Century chapel, this sophisticated restaurant and bar is a real gem in the heart of the city. An elegant French Gothic-style exterior gives way to a decadent restaurant inside, where light flows through pretty arched windows and stunning chandeliers hang gracefully from a wood-panelled ceiling.
Spread over three spacious floors, this place has everything needed for a great night out. In the casual ground floor bar, guests can enjoy gourmet bar food alongside a choice of fine wines, spirits and freshly prepared cocktails, while the restaurant on the second floor offers a more formal fine dining experience. Those looking for somewhere to celebrate a special occasion will find the basement more than fit for purpose; with its own kitchen and bar, and plenty of floor space for dancing, it’s perfect for private parties and dinners.
We arrived after a busy day at work and were blown away by the stunning design of the restaurant, which is finished to a glamorous Art Deco style. Sitting in a cosy booth, we tucked into starters of handmade wild boar tortelloni, garnished with Parmesan, fresh basil and crispy Parma ham, and ultra smooth and light foie gras parfait accompanied by a slice of toasted brioche and a ramekin filled with tangy rhubarb compote. Both were devoured with some speed and set the bar high for the following two courses. I continued with a dish of succulent pan-seared duck, served with buttered curly kale and potato gratin layered with spicy chorizo and stringy Spanish cheese. My partner opted for the rosemary encrusted rump of Welsh lamb, which was served atop super smooth and creamy potato purée, with confit garlic and a piquant tarragon mustard. Unable to resist the temptation, we ordered two desserts to finish, and delighted in our selections when they arrived at the table. My partner’s dark chocolate and orange fondant was divine, boasting a gloriously gooey centre, while my sesame panna cotta presented a subtly nutty flavour with a perfectly firm yet wobbly texture. Both demonstrated a high level of culinary skill and perfectly concluded our luxurious meal.
Serving some of the best food and drink in Cardiff and providing excellent service from confident, knowledgeable staff, Chapel 1877 is a popular choice throughout the week and somewhere my partner and I are very much looking forward to revisiting.
