Thursday 29 August 2013

THE CLINK FOLLOWED BY A DRINK...

Always on the look out for new and exciting places to eat, it was suggested that I try The Clink, a restaurant run by prisoners from HMP Cardiff. 

The concept of the restaurant is to promote a rehabilitation and reintegration program for inmates and is committed to reducing reoffending rates in Wales.

Situated just outside the prison walls, and devised by Chef Alberto Crisci MBE, The Clink charity helps train inmates to the standard similar to that of a 5 star hotel or restaurant, with the aim to help graduates find employment within the Welsh catering industry. 


Jacket: Ebay (here)
Tunic: Zara (similar here)
Leather Jeans: River Island (similar here)

Clutch Bag: Yonks (here)
Boots: ASOS (sold out)






lighs on Make A Gif



Everything from the interior to the food and service was first class, made all the more special by our waiter Lee.

The starter was a choice between Char-grilled Veg, with Basil Sorbet and Smoked Tomato Jelly or Peppered Strawberries and Goats Cheese Salad with a Ribbon of Cucumber.





The fish course was a choice between Sea Bass, Thai Green Risotto, Thai Asparagus and Tempura Langoustines or Seared Halibut, Confit of Chicken Wings with a Potato Puree.




The Entree was then either Crown of Wood Pigeon, Warm Salad of Fennel Spinach and Orange with a Peppercorn Sauce or Honey Roast Pork Belly, Scallops and Bourdin Noir with Caramalized Apples and  Celeriac Puree. 







Dessert was then a choice between Textures of Cherries; Jelly, Sorbet, Compressed and Puree or Chocolate Espresso Mousse, Panacotta and Coffee and Caramel Ice Cream. 



Which was a big hit...




A different yet truly special dining experience. All the guys worked particularly hard and the teamwork and solidarity was almost tangible. It was really heartwarming to see these guys working so hard to actively make a change and a difference in their lives.

ALL ALONG...

'I've committed a crime, now I must serve my time,
Six months inside should almost change my mind.
I'm sitting in my cell, watching the clock,
Waiting for the screw to unlock the lock.
My Father told me,
A true man is never ashamed to shed a tear,
So I cry myself to sleep at night,
Waiting for the next day of light,
But forever drifting in a state of fright,
I got this noose around my neck tight,
The bully's won.
For the rest of his life, he'll be ashamed of what he'd done.'

by Daniel Compton - HMP High Down


After such a beautiful meal it was then off to my favourite night spot for a few cocktails...Lab 22! 

lab on Make A Gif

Hidden amongst the eateries and pubs of Caroline Street, this chic little cocktail bar is fast becoming my home away from home!














A 'Mrs Einstein', my favourite of the evening...






All in all, a memorable evening!

Cheers for now...

40 comments:

  1. that looks like my kind of place. The food looked amazing.

    The lady on table 7 didn't look overly chuffed at noticing a camera! ha ha!

    lovely blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was amazing!

      Hahaha! I noticed that, theres always one!

      Thank you, Phaze x

      Delete
  2. That's such a great idea for a restaurant, helping others help themselves! Those bottle lights on the stairs are awesome! Love this post =]

    A Golden State of Mind

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It really was an amazing experience! I know I want those bottles!

      Thanks, Phaze x

      Delete
  3. Hi! Nice blog! Thank you for visiting mine!! I´m following u!!

    PD:can u tell me how do you do the chanchin photo??
    Thanks!

    www.amanciolovers.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you!

      If you take a few photos in sequence then upload them to makeagif.com

      Phaze x

      Delete
  4. CLINK CLINK and cheers to you, beautiful one! I am loving your blog! Anita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Anita, CLINK CHEERS to you too!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  5. Wow such a cool place. Loving the decor and the food looked amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The food was amazing, best food Ive had in a while!

      Delete
  6. Wow this seems like an amazing place, great to know places like this exist! :) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, it was such a fantastic dining experience!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  7. That is such a great idea for the prisoners to have that opportunity. The food looks great!

    Nothing beats cocktails at your favourite bar - and yours looks like it's a winner. Reminds me I should probably take a few choice shots of my own homes away from home! haha

    x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its an amazing opportunity for them and I can honestly say it was the best meal I've had in a long while!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  8. love your blog and followed you btw hope you can follow back !!
    xoxo nadia

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wow, what incredible pictures & an amazing place! You are very pretty by the way! Very happy to have found this blog, and I am surely following now!

    x leah symonne x

    itsleli.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much for the support, It was a really amazing place, I'd definitely go again!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  10. great post!
    Please follow me, and i follow you back
    http://tanyakotish.blogspot.ru/

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a night! Very cool places and amazing food and drinks. I used to go to "The Clink" when I was a teenager. It was an ice cream parlor in our neighborhood that had a prison theme, which meant the staff wore striped shirts (for some odd reason... more like refs) and the windows and walls had black vertical bars painted on them. Cardiff is so much more classy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ahahah! That sounds pretty cool too mind, I'd give that one a try too! Thanks Mitch, you always put a smile on my face!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  12. Wow that looks like such an amazing experience, and the food looks incredible!

    If I'm ever in Cardiff, I am definitely checking that out!

    Thanks for stopping by my blog lovely, I am definitely giving you a follow!

    Hmm maybe...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was a really amazing experience and yes if your ever in Cardiff I would highly recommend you visiting both these gorgeous places!

      Thank you so much for the support and the follow!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  13. Great blog,love your shoes:)I am your new follower:)
    www.leopardheels.blogspot.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  14. WOW! Nice place and Nice meals! You must had fun there.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a lot of fun there and the food was gorgeous!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  15. Just stumbled upon your blog! You are very pretty.


    www.therecordologist.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much! Thats so lovely of you!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  16. I've just came across your blog and I'm really glad I did! I love this post and I've followed you<33

    http://www.littlemissfashionx.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, glad you love it!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  17. I love your photos and your lifestyle posts :)

    from isabela at fusels.com | bloglovin

    ReplyDelete
  18. Wow. What a brilliant concept for a restaurant. My sister lives in Cardiff, so next time I visit her we'll have to go here. The food looks incredible.

    Jenny | sunny sweet pea xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Its a fantastic concept, really giving people a second chance and helping them to get a good start to it. I would definitely recommend you going here next time your around!

      Phaze x

      Delete
  19. that sounds like such a cool place

    ReplyDelete