We review the number one restaurant in Cardiff on TripAdvisor – Ed Gilbert
You would probably never guess the type of food served by Cardiff’s number one restaurant on TripAdvisor.
Ok, I’ll give you a hint, it’s either Indo-Italian, Polish-Mexican, Indo-Mexican, or Brazilian-Russian.
If you guessed Indo-Mexican then you would be right and I guess it makes more sense on paper than other fusion cuisines, which may or may not exist.
Replacing Mexican pibil pork or beef birria with Indian chicken tikka or beef madras in a taco or burrito is basically replacing one type of spicy protein with another, right?
(Image: Ed Gilbert)
Read more: First Opinion on Small Plates and Sibling Wine Bar which opened in a former Cardiff brothel
It certainly won over folks on TripAdvisor, as Vivo Amigo’s Indo-Mexican fusion cuisine garnered over 164 four- and five-star reviews (and just one three-star review).
But, I must admit, I was less sure than to think of Indo-Mexican cuisine. So of course I had to go there to find out for myself.
Located on Cardiff’s bustling Whitchurch Road, Vivo Amigo’s culinary fusion hits you the moment you walk through the door with a colorful mural combining Bollywood and Mexican Day of the Dead influences.
(Image: Ed Gilbert)
This is also reflected in the drinks menu, as we sampled ice-cold bottles of Kingfisher (£ 4.20) and Sol (£ 3). They even whip up their own Indo-Mexican fusion cocktail, the Tamarind Twist, which combines ginger ale, tequila, tamarind and lime.
(Image: Ed Gilbert)
In addition to fusion dishes such as smoked pulled beef madras burritos, paneer bhurji empanadas, and Kerala fried beef quesadillas, Vivo Amigo’s menu offers a small selection of curries for those who don’t want to merge their cuisines. However, you would miss out on some deliciously fun flavor combinations.
Amritsari Fish Tacos (£ 7.95) combined crispy corn tacos loaded with flaky white fish coated in a golden spice batter, served with a pepper salsa mixed with Indian spices and pickled cabbage with lots of zip. and spiciness.
The crunchy nachos (£ 6.25) were topped with fresh salsa, tangy sour cream, thick guacamole and melted cheese. The kicker was a bunch of creamy paneer butter and spice masala that was loaded with slightly chewy chunks of cheese.
(Image: Ed Gilbert)
An enchilada (£ 11.95) saw a soft flour tortilla stuffed with tender and nicely spiced tandoori chicken, onions and peppers accompanied by spicy butter and earth dal makhani, a tomato based curry sauce rich and tangy, cardamom-flavored biryani and grated cheese. It was a delicious Indian comfort food in Mexican attire.
(Image: Ed Gilbert)
We had a really fun meal at Vivo Amigo. Their fresh and spicy fusion cuisine is certainly very different and I can understand why it has gained so many fans on TripAdvisor.
The details:
Address – Vivo Amigo, 138 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff CF14 3LZ
Telephone – 02921328024
For the latest WalesOnline What’s On newsletter, click here