Daytime delights
The first tip-off was from South Wales’ most prominent and most successful businesswoman, Karen Hutchings. Karen is vegetarian and struggles to find a palatable meal except in New Delhi. Her squeaks of rapture as she described the Punjabi Tiffin in Swansea Market prompted us to investigate immediately.
And her delight was justified. We had exceptionally good paneer spring rolls, samosas, pakoras, and parathas with sag aloo all freshly made for us, hot and appetising. Chicken, lamb and prawn curries and other very palatable Punjabi dishes are also part of the repertoire.
Punjabi Tiffin is open during Swansea Market’s working hours
Chef on the move - Killay caff snaffles top chef
I bet you’ve never had a Ploughman’s Lunch like this. The word came from Rhian Davies Powell of the Natural Health Service that a new chef called Adrian ‘Russ’ Butt had joined the team at the Cafe Round the Square in the Killay Precinct. Rumours of Spanish tortillas, delicate omelettes and robust hand-made pies had to be verified and Rhian led me to a Ploughman’s lunch consisting of warm fresh focaccia, a slab of Spanish tortilla with spinach, coleslaw, green salad and Russ’ own onions pickled in balsamic vinegar. Rhian gave dainty attention to a spring onion and cheddar omelette which I sampled as well.
Affable Russ told us that of his 20 years of culinary experience, 9 years had been spent in Spain, and the menu benefits from this Mediterranean touch. It appears, though, that the wider his experience, the more concentrated his culinary message
“I have moved to Swansea because my wife is from here,” explains Russ. “ but my principles for a good restaurant are the same the world over. Keep it simple and serve it well and you will always please the customer.”
Café Round the Square closes at 5pm
Tapestri - Culturecentric Cafe
Safety guru Ann Jones brought news of a café in the Old Police Station that was quite chic and rather arty. Indeed my first reaction was to note how similar the atmosphere was to Chapter Arts in Cardiff.
Tapestri is a large, spacious, airy café, comfortable and welcoming Coffee-shop style fare and some excellent hot specials are available all day till 7pm.
Tapestri has become a popular city centre daytime rendezvous. Polite and willing service helps in creating a congenial atmosphere.