5 days ago
A sandwich shop with self-service crisp station that'll get you excited about lunch opens in Cardiff this week
A sandwich shop with self-service crisp station that'll get you excited about lunch opens in Cardiff this week
Looking for a new lunch spot in Cardiff? This is just the spot
Square + Fair is open in Cardiff now
Cardiff is bursting at the seams with places to eat for lunch, from the amazing Cardiff market to the new Sri Lankan food stall Ceylan M8 on Penarth Road to the sandwich shop Fresh, which has queues winding out the door. Now, there is a new option to pick, and it is bang opposite Fresh in the Royal Arcade.
Square + Fair is a new sandwich shop and offers up chunky focaccia sandwiches with fillings such as The Notorious PIG (pulled sticky cola pork), What the Cluck (shredded roast chicken with truffle cream cheese) and Sunday Best (roast Welsh beef with a gravy dipping tub)..
Opening for the first time on Tuesday, June 3 not only do Square + Fair serve big sandwiches, they also offer a crisp option you may have not come across before. The cafe is home to a crisp station where you serve yourself plain crisps, add in the flavouring of your choice which includes options like chip shop curry, doner kebab, and southern fried chicken, shake, and away you go.
WalesOnline reporter Stephanie Colderick, visits the newly opened sandwich shop, Square and Fair, Royal Arcade, Cardiff. Pic by Rob Browne
Inside the new lunch spot is a sleek and modern aesthetic, perfect for any Instagram pics, with funky art on the walls, exposed brickwork, and fake plants hanging from the ceiling.
The self-servic crisp station, which is sure to be popular
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
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Neon signs reading "crisp me up before you go go" decorate the walls and the top of the menu says "Yes, Cardiff! You Alrigh' or Wha'" adding a cheeky and cheerful feel to the place.
There is mixture of table and bench seating, with stools to perch on by the window where you can happily watch the coming and goings of the Royal Arcade. For our first look I also popped down to try the sandwiches and bagged up a portion of crisps.
We went down on opening morning, where there were already some customers waiting, to try out this new lunch spot.
For £5.80 I had the Morning Square focaccia, a packet of crisps for £1.20, a homemade fruity water for £2.50 and a salted caramel brownie for £3.90.
The sandwich was incredibly well stuffed
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
The Morning Square had overnight maple cured bacon, egg, spinach, tomato relish and also comes with cheese and it was massive and I felt fairy price for its size and quality also.
The sandwich was crammed with breakfasty filling, packed and bulging out of the box I was given it in.
The tomato relish was clearly handmade, this was no cheap ketchup, the bacon was thick and well cooked and the egg was light and airy, with an omelette like texture.
Adding a nice hint of green and freshness was the spinach, making the sandwich feel healthier with the egg too, and it was the perfect way to start my morning.
Inside it is sleek and modern
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
It was so big I actually gave the other half to my friend, after easily devouring the first half, already feeling full.
The crisps are a really cool concept and it was a lot of fun getting to pick the flavour I wanted and shake them around the bag.
There is new lunch option in Cardiff which shouldn't be missed
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
I opted for chip shop curry flavour and although slightly dubious, they are delicious.
With a bit of kick, these crisps do taste just like curry sauce you get from Chippy Lane, mixing well with the potato taste of the crisps and are incredibly moreish.
The coating did spread evenly over the crisps after a good shake and I will certainly be going back for more.
I couldn't resist a sweet treat
(Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne )
The salted caramel brownie did not disappoint, it melted in the mouth, was perfectly gooey yet still held its shape, had a crunchy biscuit layer in the middle that added a nice texture and taste and a good hit of salted caramel. 10/10.
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Washed down with the homemade fruity water that had orange, lime, strawberry, cucumber and blueberries in making for a refreshing yet not overpowering drink that feels healthy and good for you, this is the perfect new lunch spot.
Square + Fair is now open in the Royal Arcade.
