A popular ice cream parlour that sells hand-mixed gelato - and in over 40 flavours - is opening its second site in Cardiff Bay officially this weekend (July 8 and 9). Llanfaes Dairy's is a family run business whose first parlour is located on the outskirts of Brecon. There, you not only get the treat of tasting deliciously creamy ice cream but you can see the ice cream making process as its working laboratory - an element it is bringing to its newest store in Cardiff Bay.
The lab produces more than 100 artisan flavours and includes the likes of Lotus Biscoff, pistachio, white chocolate, Baileys, Lindt Lindor and strawberry cheesecake, as well as more unique and seasonal flavours like avocado and lime, chilli chocolate and Welsh cake.
And now, it is opening in Cardiff Bay's Mermaid Quay in the former site of Brew Monster Taphouse and revealed on social mediathat it would be teasing its opening with a soft launch from Monday, July 3, offering take away treats while it finalises the finishing touches at the venue.
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Posting on Instagram, it said: "See you Monday Cardiff. We will be open from 11am for take away this week while we get the final touches in place for our opening launch weekend next Saturday for Cardiff Food and Drink Festival in Cardiff Bay."
The ice-cream brand, whose new Cardiff store is even bigger than its flagship, will also offer a range of dairy free and vegan flavours among the 48 flavours to choose from. Similar to its Brecon venue, fans of the brand will benefit from fresh ice cream made on site and will be able to watch the process through a viewing window. What's more is that the ingredients used are as locally sourced as possible - such as fruit. It also imports ingredients from "one of Italy's top flavour houses" to create a blend of Welsh ice cream with an Italian flair.
The family business has been running since 1997 with partner Dean Cole at the helm. Previously speaking to us, he said: "Mum and dad (Eirlys and Paul Cole) started producing ice cream under the name 'Llanfaes Dairy' which was the name of my grandad's dairy that operated the milk round for Brecon and surrounding areas for over 30 years (1959-1990). 25 years on, myself and my sister are also very much at the heart of the business and all of the staff feel like our extended family."
He added: "We can’t wait to be a part of the Cardiff community. It has long been a dream of mine to open up a second outlet in the capital, with a vision to recreate what we have achieved with our Brecon store over the last 25 years. The shop in Mermaid Quay will carry a similar theme to our Brecon parlour with family still very much being the driving force behind our new venture."
Alongside ice cream, it will have a dessert menu and a new pastry selection alongside freshly ground Italian coffee. As for the decor, it is "very industrial chic with a large central feature in the seating area, inspired to bring a touch of the Mediterranean indoors. There will also be plenty of outdoor seating for those sunny days" - a perfect new addition to Cardiff Bay. Opening officially on the weekend of the Cardiff Food and Drink Festival, it's sure to be a busy one.
