Eating out has never been so
Nothing pleases me more than a 2-for-£10 offer or a buy-one-main-meal-get-another-for-£1. Don't mind if I do!
So, armed with a variety of printed coupons and mobile phone voucher codes, myself and the Big Fella decided to try the new summer menu at ASK.
Of course, living in good ol' Blighty, specifically Cardiff, summer is a season that happens to other countries. But nonetheless, the promise of a break in the clouds and a discount meal experience spurred us on.
We often eat at ASK. It is our our default restaurant when indecision threatens to fracture a 12 year relationship. Although, the main reason is they offer gluten free pasta. I've noticed a lot more chains offer this and as someone with a gluten/wheat intolerance, it is very welcome.
Like I say, I am very familiar with ASK and as soon as I heard of their new summer menu I knew just what to expect: asparagus, peas and courgette-based specials. Well, it is seasonal!
I always find the staff at Cardiff ASK particularly helpful and very friendly. It is a joy to be served by them. Chatty but not intrusive; attentive but not acting like you brought your personal chambermaid to attend to your every wish. Perhaps it's because of my line of work but I place great importance on first impressions and customer experience.
The restaurant itself has a pleasant atmosphere. It's not a huge space but the light décor and large windows make the space feel roomy. I always opt for a table near the window so I can people watch as I sup my wine.
Admittedly, I don't have a big appetite (unlike the Big Fella, who, bless his heart, loves his food) so I opt for olives as a starter. Much like the Hulk, these were big and green and bursting with flavour! I made these bad boys last the whole meal, such were their size!
For mains, I tried the Fettuccine con Verdure. ASK use Doves Farm Organic pasta which is one of the best GF pastas out there. I should point out, however, you have no choice on the shape of pasta. It's pasta tubes or lump it!
I've not tasted this dish before...and I am in no rush to again. In a word, bland. For me, there was simply too much pasta at the expense of any taste. The olive tapenade was dotted around but couldn't compete with an onslaught of pasta! The courgettes, green-beans and tomatoes were fresh and tasty but the flavours far too subtle for that amount of pasta. It wasn't particularly spicy so I had to add chilli oil to give it an extra kick.
We didn't have afters. The voucher offer didn't include discounted desserts. Shame. But we did have a bottle of the house wine. Their Montepulciano D'Abruzzo is delicious. Soft, medium bodied and bursting with a juicy cherry flavour. A great house wine.
I would most certainly return to ASK. I have had many of their dishes, including their risotto and salads, and they have always been full of flavour. Sadly, this was one dish that didn't excite my taste buds.
Friendly staff, great wine, and a good gluten free menu. Just be sure to choose a pasta dish that is more flavoursome than the one I had.
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