The Cardiff Townhouse — Restaurant in Wales

FOOD POISONING - FULL INVESTIGATION AND NO ACTION TAKEN AND NO COMPENSATION - read below for full course of events. Thanks to the staff for all the help, but the company is awful.

My partner and I visited for the first time to have a lunch. I had steak, she had tuna. Within 30 minutes of finishing our meal, my partner developed a full body rash, heart palpitations and shortness of breath. She had gotten Scombroid food poisoning from either improper preparation, or storage of the tuna. She has no allergies and has never had a reaction like this before.

When reporting to the restaurant, at first it seemed like it was being dealt with properly, with the team referring the case to an external auditing service, Food Alert.

But after several WEEKS of waiting, with us having to constantly and frustratingly chase the auditing service for replies, they finally gave us a a very disappointing and humiliating response:

“As a result of our investigation, I can confirm that no concerns were identified with the food hygiene policies and procedures adopted by Coppa Club.”

Apparently a few other guests also had the tuna that day, without developing symptoms. Which OF COURSE they used to rule out any chance of our experience being different. ‘No one else has complained, so why should you?’

Then they hid behind scientific officialdom to deny my partner had food poisoning in the first place:

“Sadly, without samples we have not been able to draw a definitive conclusion in this instance as to why you became unwell. Unfortunately, without the presence of laboratory analysis of faecal specimens or food samples, it is very difficult to be conclusive as to the cause or source of your illness, due to no concerns relating to food handling practices being identified through the conclusion of the investigation.”

Maybe if the same laboratory standards had been present in the food handling practices, we wouldn’t be here in the first place.

We feel completely let down. Sure, being a new restaurant, you might expect some teething issues. But you’d hope cases of food positioning were dealt with very seriously, with an express desire to root out any shortcomings in the service, to prevent such issues in the future.

It’s not easy to accept blame - but by having a clear issue with their food preparation pointed out and then basically just gaslighting us and saying they had nothing to do with this very obvious case of food poisoning, Coppa Club shows they have no intention of rectifying clearly dangerous practices in their food preparation.

Like I said, the table service was great, the staff were friendly, BUT the overall handling of our food poisoning experience has convinced us that it is OUTRIGHT DANGEROUS to eat at Coppa Club and I would urge anyone...

TLDR: Needs a better host system/clear signage. Get drinks not food, the food is overpriced, nothing to shout about and the options aren't amazing. Go when it's quiet. Staff are nice.

I've visited Coppa Club twice now, Cardiff is desperate for more places like this and I do hope they improve over time because they have everything they need to be great... Except for a decent host system, it seems.

First visit Quiet, midday-late lunch and midweek visit. Stopped in for food and a coffee. There was no one to greet us and no signs to tell us how it worked/where to go so was unsure of how it worked, spoke to the staff who were lovely and decided to head upstairs (downstairs is order at the bar with apparently a limited food menu, upstairs to the restaurant and a wider range with sit down service). The food was, okay. 3 stars for the food, 5 stars for the coffees and staff. Vegan options are terrible but tasty (family member ordered). It was nice once we got situated but I really hate going somewhere new with no clear system in place.

Second visit A busy Saturday, late lunch. Again there was no one to greet us and no signage. Was about to head straight in in and grab a table but realised the group in front of us were looking at a menu AND waiting, so we waited. The group in front of us were expecting to go upstairs to the restaurant for food but instead got seated downstairs with the bar (maybe because it was so busy?). Apparently they also take reservations so you can't just walk in and sit down in case your table is reserved - this was not what we had previously been told and was even more baffling as to why there wasn't a host or signs to wait to be seated or ANYTHING. It was absolute chaos - people turning around in circles not knowing what to do, customers walking around looking for extra chairs in a tizzy, we were about to get seated right by the entrance but it was so hectic we decided to leave instead.

It feels like Coppa club wants to be like The Ivy but wants to push a more relaxed atmosphere. But one thing I appreciate about The Ivy is that there is a system - if there's no space, they let you know. You know where you stand. I'm not sure the idea of being a flex space for all day will work here, especially on busy days because as I said, Cardiff is desperate for more places like this and so when it's busy it will get overrun.

I would likely pop in when it's quiet, but definitely would not attempt to walk in again when it's busy. And to be honest the food isn't worth the price so I would stick to drinks (though I can't speak for the...

Went in for a quick coffee with a friend on an early Saturday evening (5:30pm).

The place seemed lovely, but a bit confused by a lack of a host/signage to direct people upstairs when the downstairs area is full.

After going upstairs, we were greeted by a host that was courteous and polite.

We sat on the table, chose our drinks and waited 15 mins for someone to take our order. In the meantime, to make sure it's not bar-service I went up to ask if I can order there. Was told to wait at the table.

A server asked for our order 5 mins later, a cappuccino and a black earl grey. Which we had to wait another 15 mins to receive. A tea bag in boiling water had already cost me 35 mins.

We asked for the check. 10 mins went past, no response. I asked someone who seemed to be a manager (since they were not dressed in white/black) for the check. He said it'll be brought up by the server, in a dismissive manner. Fine. 10 mins go past, waitress hands me a check for £6.30, with an added service charge. Seems standard, so didn't make a fuss.

Another 15 mins go past. We just want to pay and leave. I kept trying to flag down staff member so I could ask for a card machine. The manager and the other staff members, at this time, were chatting and having a jolly time at the till which is in clear view of the tables. I walked up to him and said I'd like to pay, he rolled his eyes. I said we've been waiting a while. 'We're busy' was the response I got.

Half the floor was empty. I told him this service was unacceptable. I was given the same response.

So £6.30, 90+mins later, I felt like I was being a nuisance for wanting a basic coffee and tea.

The interior and the building is pretty, haven't had the food but it looked pretty good, but I would not visit again unless being humiliated for paying for a service is your thing.

I'm all for bants at work, I work in hospitality too, but this is one of the worst experiences I've had in an...