Dish of the month: Salt & Pepper Squid, Dragon Court
I don’t often make a habit of hanging around industrial estates waiting for men I’ve met on the internet, but frankly when Masterchef finalist, local blogger and all round lovely chap Imran Nathoo of Kitchen Clonc asks if you fancy going for a Chinese feast you say “Hell Yes!”
I admit I was slightly bemused to then find myself hanging around Capital Retail Park, best known for a giant Asda, gym and casino and for being right next to Cardiff City’s stadium but he assured me his sources were solid and that Dragon Court was going to be the shiz.
This isn’t so much a review but a recommendation of one dish. This isn’t to say the other things we ordered weren’t good but when one dish stands head and shoulders above the others and the local competition, I feel it merits its own post. Also Imran talks as much as I do and we completely forgot to take proper notes as we were too busy yakking.
After a quick discussion on etiquette (I’m pleased to say he’s a sharer) we quickly dissected the rather large menu and opted for Chicken and Prawn dim sum (£3.80), Cantonese Roast Duck (£10.40 and on his source’s insistence) and the Salt and Pepper Squid (£6.20) along with some steamed rice. We (naively) assumed this would be a good starter and we’d probably, due to our gluttonous nature, order a few more bits and bobs as we went along.
Reader, we were foolish. Apparently when Dragon Court say “half a Cantonese roast duck” they mean half a duck. Have you seen a duck lately? They are big buggers and this one was bigger than most. Bone in, it was all five spice and ginger with its fat slightly rendered and luminously glossy. A sharp plum sauce kept the grease under control and the rice mopped up the juices admirably. The sheer size of it was a little overwhelming for two people but the friendly waiter happily boxed it up for me to take home.
The dim sum was a fairly good example of its type. Steamed without being sloppy and packed with pink, juicy prawns. I’m not entirely sure there was any chicken present but the prawns were so meaty it didn’t matter. Was it the best dim sum I’ve had? No. Would I order it again? For those prawns alone, yes.
“Okay Nic, these sound great but you’re meandering a bit and frankly it sounds less like a review and more like you going out on the piss with your mate.” And you’d be right, dear reader except it was a school night and frankly this is my blog and I can write what I like.
Onto the hero of the night. Salt and pepper is one of my favourite things - I’m a sucker for anything in batter and love the extremes of flavour. I’m also a bugger for ordering squid as a way of testing out if the kitchen is any good after having too many flaccid rubbery tyres over the years from places that should know better.
Instead of the usual rings, this was cut slightly larger and on the diagonal. The batter was also slightly thicker but this just added to the crunch and clung to the squid rather than flaking off at the first bite. Served with plenty of chillis and shredded spring onion, it was moreish and we both agreed it was the perfect bar snack. Salty, spicy, crunchy, not greasy. We just needed more beers and the football on for it to be a perfect night.
Imran ended the evening with the obligatory banana fritters and crunchy cream, how I’m not entirely sure as I was stuffed. The total, with drinks, came to £47.80 which, given I had an extra meal from it the following day, is exceptional value.
Whilst I had always assumed Dragon Court was a pack-em-high “eat until you vomit” joint, it is definitely somewhere I’d go back to as part of a bigger group. This place is made for families and groups and I think if you want to exploit the sizeable menu to its fullest, a group of six or more would be the perfect way to do it. A take away service is also available.
I admit I was slightly bemused to then find myself hanging around Capital Retail Park, best known for a giant Asda, gym and casino and for being right next to Cardiff City’s stadium but he assured me his sources were solid and that Dragon Court was going to be the shiz.
This isn’t so much a review but a recommendation of one dish. This isn’t to say the other things we ordered weren’t good but when one dish stands head and shoulders above the others and the local competition, I feel it merits its own post. Also Imran talks as much as I do and we completely forgot to take proper notes as we were too busy yakking.
After a quick discussion on etiquette (I’m pleased to say he’s a sharer) we quickly dissected the rather large menu and opted for Chicken and Prawn dim sum (£3.80), Cantonese Roast Duck (£10.40 and on his source’s insistence) and the Salt and Pepper Squid (£6.20) along with some steamed rice. We (naively) assumed this would be a good starter and we’d probably, due to our gluttonous nature, order a few more bits and bobs as we went along.
Reader, we were foolish. Apparently when Dragon Court say “half a Cantonese roast duck” they mean half a duck. Have you seen a duck lately? They are big buggers and this one was bigger than most. Bone in, it was all five spice and ginger with its fat slightly rendered and luminously glossy. A sharp plum sauce kept the grease under control and the rice mopped up the juices admirably. The sheer size of it was a little overwhelming for two people but the friendly waiter happily boxed it up for me to take home.
The dim sum was a fairly good example of its type. Steamed without being sloppy and packed with pink, juicy prawns. I’m not entirely sure there was any chicken present but the prawns were so meaty it didn’t matter. Was it the best dim sum I’ve had? No. Would I order it again? For those prawns alone, yes.
“Okay Nic, these sound great but you’re meandering a bit and frankly it sounds less like a review and more like you going out on the piss with your mate.” And you’d be right, dear reader except it was a school night and frankly this is my blog and I can write what I like.
Onto the hero of the night. Salt and pepper is one of my favourite things - I’m a sucker for anything in batter and love the extremes of flavour. I’m also a bugger for ordering squid as a way of testing out if the kitchen is any good after having too many flaccid rubbery tyres over the years from places that should know better.
Instead of the usual rings, this was cut slightly larger and on the diagonal. The batter was also slightly thicker but this just added to the crunch and clung to the squid rather than flaking off at the first bite. Served with plenty of chillis and shredded spring onion, it was moreish and we both agreed it was the perfect bar snack. Salty, spicy, crunchy, not greasy. We just needed more beers and the football on for it to be a perfect night.
Imran ended the evening with the obligatory banana fritters and crunchy cream, how I’m not entirely sure as I was stuffed. The total, with drinks, came to £47.80 which, given I had an extra meal from it the following day, is exceptional value.
Whilst I had always assumed Dragon Court was a pack-em-high “eat until you vomit” joint, it is definitely somewhere I’d go back to as part of a bigger group. This place is made for families and groups and I think if you want to exploit the sizeable menu to its fullest, a group of six or more would be the perfect way to do it. A take away service is also available.
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