My husband and I recently visited The Ivy Cardiff and enjoyed a fantastic meal from their new Edition Menu.
From the moment we arrived, the service was first-rate, with attentive, professional and friendly staff helping to create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere throughout the evening – and if you haven’t been, the Ivy is simply a beautiful place to eat, with elegant decor, comfortable chairs and a gentle, unhurried approach to fine dining, with friendly waiters who were happy to talk with you about the different menu options (there is always a selection of set menus to choose from, as well as the A la Carte menus).
The Ivy Edition Menu offers a more refined and seasonal dining experience at an excellent price, showcasing dishes carefully selected by The Ivy’s chefs to highlight the best ingredients of the season. Designed as a set menu, guests can enjoy two or three courses, making it an excellent option for those seeking a special occasion meal or a taste of The Ivy’s more elevated cuisine.
This fixed price menu typically begins with a choice of elegant starters, such as Severn & Wye smoked salmon served with dark rye bread, creamy stracciatella with honey and bitter leaves, or a rich truffled cheese soufflé. These dishes strike a balance between classic flavours and contemporary presentation.
I was hoping we would choose different dishes but I’d already got my heart set on mine and after sharing how nice they sounded, my husband changed his order to have the same as me – typical!
To start, we both chose the Robata grilled chicken skewers served with peanut satay sauce. The chicken was perfectly cooked, tender and full of flavour, while the satay sauce added a deliciously rich and nutty accompaniment that made for an excellent appetiser.
For main courses, The Ivy Edition focuses on premium ingredients and expertly executed dishes, offering a sophisticated selection of food, highlighting seasonal produce using carefully sourced meats and delicious seafood options, with each dish designed to showcase flavour, texture and presentation. My husband initially decided on the salmon and I had already settled on the Grilled Beef Sirloin (8oz) served with Béarnaise sauce and triple-cooked chips (supplement of £6.95 for this dish, but well worth every penny). However, no sooner had I finished ordering my main than hubby decided to change his order to match mine again so we both enjoyed the steak!
That said, it was an excellent choice. Mark likes his steak rare and I like mine medium rare, and both steaks were cooked to absolute perfection exactly as requested, beautifully tender and packed with flavour. The Béarnaise sauce was new to both of us and proved a real highlight– rich, buttery and indulgent, complementing the richness of the beef wonderfully without overpowering it. The triple-cooked chips were crisp on the outside, fluffy on the inside and the perfect accompaniment to a superb main course.
Desserts continue the indulgent theme of the Edition Menu, providing a fitting finale to the meal with beautifully crafted sweet options that reflect The Ivy’s reputation for classic British hospitality with a modern twist – but sadly, we were both so satisfied after our starter and main course that we simply couldn’t manage a dessert afterwards. Both the Paris-Brest, almond & hazelnut cream served with a warm chocolate sauce and the Ivy’s legendary Chocolate Bombe were just two of the more tempting options on offer, but having lost 9 and a half stone over the past year or so, my appetite is not what it was so we passed on the desserts – but seeing them delivered to other tables, we definitely missed out!
The Ivy offers a beautiful setting to eat out in the heart of Cardiff City Centre, and the reasonably priced Ivy Edition Menu is an excellent choice for diners looking to experience a curated selection of The Ivy’s finest seasonal dishes. Combining quality ingredients, elegant presentation and good value for a premium dining experience, it offers a memorable way to enjoy one of the restaurant group’s most carefully crafted menus.
We both love the Ivy Cardiff’s combination of outstanding food, elegant surroundings and impeccable service – and this visit proved to be as enjoyable as our last. The perfect date night, in fact.
If you’re looking for quality food, exceptional service and a special dining experience in Cardiff, I would highly recommend visiting. We will certainly be returning.