Calabrisella Canton — Restaurant in Wales

This was our third time eating at this particular branch. We have eaten once as a couple at the branch in Cathays but we'd never been to either with our children before. I regret coming here today and can say that I never want to come back again. We rarely go out to eat nowadays because money is very tight and I wish we had gone elsewhere.

From the time we came in, I could see that the bar manager was unhappy we were there. He did not hide his annoyance at my son's complaining and, throughout our rushed meal (rushed because I just wanted to get out of there), I could hear him swearing and looking over at us while muttering to the other staff. At one point, the waitress gave my son a biscuit, which I thought was kind of her. Unfortunately, when he didn't want it, that seemed to get on her nerves. Every time I looked up, I could see them watching us, annoyed and waiting for us to leave. At one point, the bar manager, two waiting staff and even the chef were standing behind the bar staring.

As I was so stressed about the constant watching and complaining from the staff (I mistakenly thought that Italians might be more family-friendly but apparently not here), I asked my husband to take my son out for walk in the pouring rain for 10 minutes. But this didn't please them either. My daughter wasn't making any noise (sorry, I think she did speak...) but they still wanted us out. The muttering and looking over continued, so I tried to eat my pizza as fast I could (I'm pregnant too by the way and my daughter is 3 but I was trying to stuff it down her as we had paid for it and she was hungry). They pointedly asked me if I wanted the rest of the pizza to go. Thank God, my husband arrived back with my son and we left as quickly as you can with two small children, a baby bump and a pram.

I have worked as a waitress in restaurants, hotels, at weddings and award shoes for years. I know it can be a stressful job but I can honestly say I never behaved with customers that way. Apart from the fact that it's mean and they pay your wages, it doesn't make your shift go any faster to be nasty to people.

I gave an extra star because my daughter enjoyed the pizza (she ate the rest later). I don't remember what mine tasted like....

What a delightful place

A family member had told me how good Calabrisella is, so it was great to have the opportunity to try it for myself.

The outside of the restaurant looks more like a chip shop/take away than a restaurant, but the food is of restaurant quality and the ambiance of the place is comfortable and pleasant.

I began with Antipasto Calabrese for one, what a delight, it included cold cuts of meat and cheese and two warm meat dishes. Each of the flavours was distinctive and delightful. I'll come back just for this delight.

My partner had the Caprese Salad which was freshly cut with a lovely taste of freshly chopped basil over the mozzarella and tomatoes.

For mains I selected one of the items on the daily specials menu, and was really pleased with it. It was Tagliatelle con cervo, zucchina gialla e pomodoroni mantecate al pecorino (Tagliatelle of venison with yellow courgettes and cherry tomatoes with pecorino). The delicate tagliatelle tasted like it had been freshly made and was cooked el dente. The pecorino complemented the cheery tomato juice and the crunch of the courgette worked really well with the tangy pieces of venison.

When the dish arrived, I thought I might have needed an accompaniment of a salad, but the meal was really filling, so at the end, though I completed it all, I was glad I'd not added anything else.

My partner had the 14" Pizza Milano this was large and generous, but it's wonderful crispy base, typical of real Italian pizzas, meant it was easy to eat and the topping went all the way to the edges so there was no waste. The Pizza was just the right size for a main course, and delicious.

Having eaten well we skipped dessert and finished off with an espresso each, like the rest of the meal, this was a typical Italian espresso with a great depth of flavour.

Overall an excellent...

Calabrisella were incredible as our wedding caterers. We’ve long been huge fans of their restaurant, where we had our first meal as a couple together. It was the perfect choice for our special day. Every detail was meticulously handled and they took care of all our catering needs; a beautiful canapé spread for cocktail hour, a two-course sit-down meal, our wedding cake, a dessert table, and a pizza van for the evening. Our guests were absolutely blown away by the food; everyone raved about the exceptional quality and generous portions—no one left with an empty belly! Salvo, Angelo, and the entire team took excellent care of us, offering a bespoke and delicious menu tailored to dietary requirements, including allergies, vegetarian, and dairy-free options. The tasting session was brilliant, and Chef Domenico was amazing; the food quality was outstanding and the plating on the big day could easily rival that of a Michelin-starred restaurant. The canapés were beautiful and our wedding cake—a classic Italian sponge with fresh fruits and cream—was a huge highlight. They even crafted a stunning dummy cake for photos that perfectly matched my inspiration pictures. The dessert table was exquisite, and every sweet treat looked as good as it tasted. The waitstaff on the day were professional, attentive, and ensured everything ran smoothly. The communication with our venue, Insole Court, was also seamless, leaving us stress-free throughout the process. Calabrisella’s team put so much thought and care into every aspect of the catering, it truly made our day unforgettable. Whether you're planning a wedding or any other event, book them—you will not be disappointed! Grazie ancora Calabrisella!

Photos by Imogen Eve...