Home United KingdomCardiff When Is an Italian Restaurant NOT an Italian Restaurant?

When Is an Italian Restaurant NOT an Italian Restaurant?

by Krista

Piazza italia

Piazza Italia
22/23 Trinity Street
Cardiff, CF10 1BH

Date of Last Visit: Saturday, November 28th

The Victims: Craig, Leanne, Brook, Christian, Mark, Natalie

The Damage: About £20 with drinks

The Background: We walked into Piazza Italia in Cardiff, sat down, looked at the menu, and laughed. Now…I’m not saying I don’t like fusion. But this place is called Piazza Italia. Explain please then these items…

Pisetto Di Salmone (I can’t really read the photo–it looks like Pisetto, but I can’t find that word anywhere.)
Breaded marinated filet of salmon with teriyaki sauce on a bed of noodles.

Risotto Paella
Pan-friend basmati rice with saffron, garlic, wine, diced chicken and tiger shrimps.

Involtini Vegetarian
Deep fried vegetable spring rolls served with our signature (slightly nutty) cocktail sauce.

The Verdict: I had the crabmeat ravioli in cream sauce. Was tempted to ask for some soy sauce.

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12 comments

Chrisos 2009 -

hahaha!

Pisetto is probably Filetto.

The Graphic Foodie 2009 -

Oh my cod. This restaurant should send a formal letter of apology to the Italian nation. Disgraceful.

Krista 2009 -


Oh, and I totally forgot to highlight the RISOTTO PAELLA. Why have one when you can have BOTH?

Greedy Diva 2009 -

Did the ravioli come with “traditional” Italian chopsticks?

Gourmet Chick 2009 -

Too funny – Italian/Japanese fusion – interesting!

Krista 2009 -


And Spanish! And Chinese!

Niamh 2009 -

OH DEAR! Fusion at it’s best, eh? They did some really odd things in Italian restaurants in Tokyo. Bolognese with fish eggs? Yes!

Helen 2009 -

Ha ha ha ha! That is hilarious. I particularly love,

“Risotto Paella
Pan-friend basmati rice with saffron, garlic, wine, diced chicken and tiger shrimps.”

So it’s Italian…no, it’s Spanish…oh, hang on, it’s Indian. How about all three together?

London Chow 2009 -

Hmm… spring rolls and teriyaki sauce appearing on the same menu. Wouldn’t be surprised if the person running the show is a Chinese. For us, whatever works!

Is there a tofu pizza somewhere in the menu?

M2 2009 -

I am Italian and there are many phonies-Italian-restaurants in London, and a good way to detect them, is by reading the Menu — if you find many spelling mistakes is a bad sign.

Of course, there are also real-Italians, that have no clue about good Italian food, and that come to London and open a very bad restaurant.

Unfortunately , many Londoners, can’t distinguish between good and bad Italian food + anything goes.

Honestly, the best Restaurants in London, are British — St.John, Canteen etc.
Overseas restaurants in London are not as good as in other world cities I have lived.

For example, Italian Restaurnats in Tokyo, are better than here, because there is more attention to details.

Krista 2009 -


When I was in Tokyo last year, I was fascinated by the number of Italian restaurants. But they say that lots of Japanese chefs go to Italy to train and come back with detailed knowledge of the cuisine.

M2 2009 -

Krista you are correct.
Many Japanese come to work to Italy in Italian Restaurants, and than they come back with the knowledge. Many restaurants, of all kinds, open in London to make buck,
but not because of real passion — that’s the difference.
This is the reason why, I think, British restaurants like St.John etc., are the best,
because there is real passion behind and you see it.

The same goes for the ‘espresso’. Some times is good, and many times is terrible, because the Barista had no clue how to use the machine.
I always return it, if is bad, but many Londoners don’t care.

The more people complain, the better the level of food in London

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