Latest news with #Wagamamas
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
The Banana Tree review: I tried Cardiff's newest city centre restaurant and have some thoughts
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An unavoidable characteristic of a healthy city centre shopping destination is the steady multiplication of chain restaurants to serve the thousands of shoppers. As dining trends chop and change, restaurant units come and go, new openings pique the interest of casual diners eager for a mid-shop or post-work fill. The latest UK-wide chain to open on Cardiff's The Hayes is The Banana Tree, a south-Asian-flavoured addition to the Mill Lane end of town, right next to dependable, Japanese-inspired Wagamamas and opposite Francophile bistro chain, Cote. These types of restaurants are designed to fill you up - quickly, and set you back on your way to John Lewis or H&M, off to a big gig or for that capital city bar crawl/cocktail afternoon. So with that substantial city centre footfall in mind and this branch being the first in Wales of The Banana Tree - the first branch of which opened 30 years ago in London - I went along to check out what the menu had to offer. Boasting 'fiery flavours' the menu is full of Thai, Malaysian, Japanese and more, inspired food with curries, ramens, laksas and gochuchang-flavoured options. The menu is vast, I'll say that, and it was tough to pin-point exactly what we fancied. Swerving my favourite (perhaps predictable) katsu curry, we picked three starters, prawns, chicken and spring rolls and mains, Thai railway fried rice with chicken (£16.50) and the 'king of curries', beef rendang (£18.50). Seated in a corner by the window, service was friendly, if not a little ingenuous - there were a few periods of waiting a bit too long and we weren't asked if we wanted a dessert after waiting 20 minutes for our plates to be cleared - but given how new the team are, let's give them a pass for now. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Starters On those starters, one was excellent, Mekong prawns (£8.25), one tasty, Malaysian chicken satay skewers (£8.95) and the Vietnamese spring rolls (£7.75) were my least favourite. They were slightly bland and lacking filling, even with the nuoc cham (Vietnamese fish sauce) although my partner disagreed and argued they were 'better than average'. The chicken satay skewers were chunky and moist and had a nice underlay of smoky flavour but it was the prawns that stood out. They came in a portion of four - always a bonus as I hate it when portions come in threes! - were butterflied and covered in a beautiful light, crunchy coating and sprinkled with crushed peanuts and fresh herbs. What the menu really undersells with the prawns is the 'chilli salsa' dipping sauce, it seemed so much more nuanced than that with a sweet, sour, sticky, tangy, chilli-bite to it that we really liked. Mains (Image: Kathryn Williams) With my dining partner honing in on the 'king of curries', the beef rendang, we were expecting good things. The curry dish itself comes with jasmine rice, Asian slaw and crackers. It's an attractive looking plate and a decent introduction to Malaysian food. The dark, thick nutty curry sauce coated the soft chunks of beef and there was enough to dip the prawn crackers into and stir in some rice. The Asian slaw was nice and broke up the unctous curry section of the meal. Beef rendang is a fairly rich, filling meal and I understand the slightly smaller portion accompanied by lots of different bits, than you'd normally get at an authentic, independent Malaysian place. If you're out for the day shopping or drinking in town, you don't want a massive bowl of rich, beef curry because that'll probably make you want to lie down, instead. So all in all, it's the ideal entry level rendang but if you like it I'd seek out either Jalan in Cathays or Masala Hut in Cardiff Market. (Image: Kathryn Williams) Over to my Thai railway rice, which I ordered with chicken and came served in a deep bowl, the signature banana leaf in situ and dressed with a nice charred half lime and a generous number of pickled lime slices. I really enjoyed this dish. It looked great, was a massive, filling portion (I took a big bulk of it home) and was just something that was warming, comforting, a really satisfying dish. You know the way oodles of people love ramen for its comfortable soupy wholesomeness, well, sticky, stodgy, tasty rice dishes are my ramen. And this massively fitted the bill. Could I make it at home? Yes, probably, but could I be bothered to make it at home - probably not and I don't possess a Wally's level of spice mixes and fish sauces. What is railway rice I hear you ask? Well, it's Thai-style egg fried rice with a bunch of turmeric powder and soy sauce, and peppers, red onion, green beans and sweet fresh basil chucked in and thrown around in a wok. It's Banana Tree's take on a traditional fried rice dish that was sold on railway stations along the Thai southern railway line. There was so much flavour thanks to the sizzled rice doused in tumeric and soy, the beans and peppers added a fresh crunch to what was perfectly sticky rice for me. I took the leftovers home and enjoyed it even more the next day - other than the fact I accidentally ate all the chicken chunks the night before. Verdict While I enjoyed my prawns and Thai rice main, The Banana Tree isn't going to be high on my list for destination south Asian cuisine - Cardiff offers a really rich mix of options from our long-established indies should you want that kind of cuisine. For Thai, we've got the Asian Delish in the market, old favourites like Bangkok Cafe in Canton and Tuk Tuk in Cathays, and of course, the gamechanging Brother Thai on Whitchurch Road. What it is appealing for, though, is, as aforementioned, those who flock to the city centre on big match days, gig days, nights out and shopping trips. Big menu, decent portions and it's right there............. Exactly where: 16 Mill Lane, CF10 1FL
Extra.ie
4 days ago
- Business
- Extra.ie
Beloved restaurant chain teases major comeback just months after leaving Ireland
A beloved UK-based restaurant chain is set to return to Ireland this summer after the shock closure of their three locations in Dublin last year. The restaurant chain had locations in Dundrum, South King Street and Blanchardstown before closing its doors with immediate effect in September. Now, Wagamamas have teased they are returning to the Irish market, with their official website teasing that they will be reopening in Dublin before the end of the month. Now, Wagamamas have teased they are returning to the Irish market, with their official website teasing that they will be reopening in Dublin before the end of the month. Pic:'Coming Soon. Opening 23 June. Liffey Valley,' the restaurant giant shared on their website. The website doesn't reveal anything about other potential openings, thought The Sun report that it is expected their Blanchardstown and Dundrum outlets will open later in the summer. The publication stated that a loyal customer had spotted new cardboard signs outside the former Dundrum outlet teasing 'opening summer 2025' along with a barcode for potential employees looking to work at the eatery. 'Coming Soon. Opening 23 June. Liffey Valley,' the restaurant giant shared on their website. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin Press Up Hospitality closed all three of the Irish Wagamama restaurants with immediate effect last September. All three locations in Dundrum, South King Street and Blanchardstown in Dublin closed after receivers appointed failed to agree with the UK-based chain on restructuring their franchise arrangement. 106 employees lost their jobs following the closures. Press Up did secure agreements with landlords of its South King Street and Blanchardstown locations, allowing the sites to continue operating as part of the group. The brand said it hoped to reopen the premises under a new brand within a month or two, but nothing materialised.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Yahoo
Army has blood on its hands, says sister of soldier who killed herself after sex assault
The Army has 'blood on its hands', the sister of a teenage soldier who took her own life after being sexually assaulted has said. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, on Dec 15 2021. An inquest concluded on Thursday that there was a 'systemic failure' by the Army to investigate the sexual assault and harassment she was subjected to by older colleagues and that contributed to her death. Speaking publicly for the first time, Emilli Beck told The Telegraph that discovering how the Army tried to 'cover up' and dismiss her sister's complaints had left her feeling sick. Emilli, 25, said that the inquest revealed senior officers who were supposed to look after young recruits, were only interested in 'covering their own backs'. Smiling with pride as she spoke of her sister, she added: 'She was fantastic. She was confident. She was career driven and always her authentic self. She had the most positive outlook on life and seized any opportunity that came her way.' She said that they were 'inseparable' and would talk daily over messages, phone calls, and FaceTime. 'We did everything together, holidays together, festivals together. I came and stayed with her down at camp. We ordered a Wagamamas, went for walks 'We truly were best friends, and always will be. Just because she's gone, that doesn't change anything.' Gunner Beck took her own life after being subjected to a campaign of harassment by her 'manipulative and psychotic' boss and sexually assaulted by an older married officer. She made a complaint about the assault, despite a senior officer trying to persuade her not to. Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, 43, allegedly grabbed Gunner Beck round the neck, pinned her to the floor, and put his hand between her legs during a team building camp on Thorney Island, in West Sussex, in July 2021. Her inquest heard that after Gunner Beck tried to raise a complaint, she was told by a senior officer, Major James Hook, to consider what it might do to BSM Webber's career, his wife, and his child. When interviewed, Major Hook said that Gunner Beck had been 'whinging' and told the inquest he had 'suspicions' that the young soldier may have made up the assault as an 'excuse' to get away from a team building event. Despite that, Gunner Beck did make a complaint. However, she only received a letter of apology from her attacker, as the Army deemed it was only 'inappropriate behaviour unbecoming of a warrant officer'. Emilli said that the Army had tried to manipulate her sister's allegations and 'sweep them under the carpet'. She said: 'We encouraged her to speak up, which she did, but it never got anywhere, she got a written letter of apology. 'If that's what the Army think is suitable action to take for sexual harassment, then I just don't think any girl that is thinking of joining has much hope. 'It needed to be handled by the police, but [the Army] covered their own backs and skipped out vital information that could have ultimately left us with Jaysley still here today. I think for that they've got blood on their hands.' Emma Norton, a lawyer from the Centre for Military Justice, said that initially the Army had tried to claim Gunner Beck's death was partly a result of 'family issues'. Ms Norton pointed out that the most damning conclusion from the inquest was that the failings to investigate were systemic. She added: 'The Army systems that are supposed to kick in when precisely this kind of thing happens, didn't. 'Though an adult, Jaysley was so young and had such little power or control over the many dysfunctional men whose conduct we have heard so much about. 'She could not rely upon the Army to help her to deal with these overwhelming behaviours.' Gunner Beck's boss, former Bombardier Ryan Mason, who the inquest found had harassed the teenager by sending thousands of messages saying he was in love with her, had told the Army after her death that there were problems at home. An Army service inquiry report published in October 2023 concluded this was a contributory factor in her taking her own life. Ms Norton said: 'That was a deliberate breadcrumb trail left by Ryan Mason to try and deflect attention from his own abhorrent conduct. 'What's shocking, is not so much that Mason should have done that, of course, that's the sort of thing he would have done, it's that the Army in their service inquiry took that and ran with it. 'That is outrageous, a really outrageous stain on the family, and it meant that at a time when they should have been focusing on Jaysley and what had happened and why this thing had happened, they were distracted by this awful allegation that they were somehow responsible for it.' Emilli said it was 'another prime example of the Army trying to deflect the blame away from themselves'. '[The] Army will believe that, but don't believe that she was sexually assaulted and sexually harassed,' she said. Describing her younger sibling as her 'best friend', Emilli, who now lives in Australia, said that she had been 'everything I aspire to be'. Earlier this week, Leighann McCready, Jaysley's mother, told the hearing she was 'disgusted' that neither of the two men who tormented her daughter had been prosecuted. Det Insp Eirin Martin, of Wiltshire Police, also said that while there was an 'investigation' into 'looking at' claims of harassment, it was ultimately dropped. Brigadier Melissa Emmett told the inquest the Army 'should have done more', saying: 'We let her down in so many ways.' A government minister said following the inquest that the Army will 'reflect on the evidence heard' at the inquest to 'learn lessons from the coroner's findings'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Telegraph
Army has blood on its hands, says sister of soldier who killed herself after sex assault
The Army has 'blood on its hands', the sister of a teenage soldier who took her own life after being sexually assaulted has said. Royal Artillery Gunner Jaysley Beck, 19, was found hanged in her barracks at Larkhill Camp, Wiltshire, on Dec 15 2021. An inquest concluded on Thursday that there was a 'systemic failure' by the Army to investigate the sexual assault and harassment she was subjected to by older colleagues and that contributed to her death. Speaking publicly for the first time, Emilli Beck told The Telegraph that discovering how the Army tried to 'cover up' and dismiss her sister's complaints had left her feeling sick. Emilli, 25, said that the inquest revealed senior officers who were supposed to look after young recruits, were only interested in 'covering their own backs'. Smiling with pride as she spoke of her sister, she added: 'She was fantastic. She was confident. She was career driven and always her authentic self. She had the most positive outlook on life and seized any opportunity that came her way.' She said that they were 'inseparable' and would talk daily over messages, phone calls, and FaceTime. 'We did everything together, holidays together, festivals together. I came and stayed with her down at camp. We ordered a Wagamamas, went for walks 'We truly were best friends, and always will be. Just because she's gone, that doesn't change anything.' Gunner Beck took her own life after being subjected to a campaign of harassment by her 'manipulative and psychotic' boss and sexually assaulted by an older married officer. She made a complaint about the assault, despite a senior officer trying to persuade her not to. Battery Sergeant Major Michael Webber, 43, allegedly grabbed Gunner Beck round the neck, pinned her to the floor, and put his hand between her legs during a team building camp on Thorney Island, in West Sussex, in July 2021. Her inquest heard that after Gunner Beck tried to raise a complaint, she was told by a senior officer, Major James Hook, to consider what it might do to BSM Webber's career, his wife, and his child. When interviewed, Major Hook said that Gunner Beck had been 'whinging' and told the inquest he had 'suspicions' that the young soldier may have made up the assault as an 'excuse' to get away from a team building event. Despite that, Gunner Beck did make a complaint. However, she only received a letter of apology from her attacker, as the Army deemed it was only 'inappropriate behaviour unbecoming of a warrant officer'. Emilli said that the Army had tried to manipulate her sister's allegations and 'sweep them under the carpet'. She said: 'We encouraged her to speak up, which she did, but it never got anywhere, she got a written letter of apology. 'If that's what the Army think is suitable action to take for sexual harassment, then I just don't think any girl that is thinking of joining has much hope. 'It needed to be handled by the police, but [the Army] covered their own backs and skipped out vital information that could have ultimately left us with Jaysley still here today. I think for that they've got blood on their hands.' Emma Norton, a lawyer from the Centre for Military Justice, said that initially the Army had tried to claim Gunner Beck's death was partly a result of 'family issues'. Ms Norton pointed out that the most damning conclusion from the inquest was that the failings to investigate were systemic. She added: 'The Army systems that are supposed to kick in when precisely this kind of thing happens, didn't. 'Though an adult, Jaysley was so young and had such little power or control over the many dysfunctional men whose conduct we have heard so much about. 'She could not rely upon the Army to help her to deal with these overwhelming behaviours.' Gunner Beck's boss, former Bombardier Ryan Mason, who the inquest found had harassed the teenager by sending thousands of messages saying he was in love with her, had told the Army after her death that there were problems at home. An Army service inquiry report published in October 2023 concluded this was a contributory factor in her taking her own life. Ms Norton said: 'That was a deliberate breadcrumb trail left by Ryan Mason to try and deflect attention from his own abhorrent conduct. 'What's shocking, is not so much that Mason should have done that, of course, that's the sort of thing he would have done, it's that the Army in their service inquiry took that and ran with it. 'That is outrageous, a really outrageous stain on the family, and it meant that at a time when they should have been focusing on Jaysley and what had happened and why this thing had happened, they were distracted by this awful allegation that they were somehow responsible for it.' Emilli said it was 'another prime example of the Army trying to deflect the blame away from themselves'. '[The] Army will believe that, but don't believe that she was sexually assaulted and sexually harassed,' she said. Describing her younger sibling as her 'best friend', Emilli, who now lives in Australia, said that she had been 'everything I aspire to be'. Earlier this week, Leighann McCready, Jaysley's mother, told the hearing she was 'disgusted' that neither of the two men who tormented her daughter had been prosecuted. Det Insp Eirin Martin, of Wiltshire Police, also said that while there was an 'investigation' into 'looking at' claims of harassment, it was ultimately dropped. Brigadier Melissa Emmett told the inquest the Army 'should have done more', saying: 'We let her down in so many ways.' A government minister said following the inquest that the Army will 'reflect on the evidence heard' at the inquest to 'learn lessons from the coroner's findings'.
