Over a year since planning permission was approved to transform three huge units on The Hayes into a new Thai restaurant, Giggling Squid has finally announced the opening date for their much anticipated Cardiff branch. With hoardings around the site teasing its upcoming launch for months, Giggling Squid has announced it will open its first Welsh branch in the city centre on Monday, June 12.
And while their first Welsh location hasn't even opened its doors yet, the chain which has restaurants all over the country has already announced that they hope to open in Cardiff Bay in 2024, taking over the Mermaid Quay site previously occupied by Bayside Brasserie and Bellini's restaurants.
The almost 50-strong chain was founded in 2002 by husband and wife team Pranee and Andy Laurillard. Dishes on the expansive menu, which is divided into tapas, starters, ‘from the water’, ‘from the land’, stir-fries, curries and noodles include turmeric grilled squid with garlic, mah kwan pepper pork belly, and betel leaf, ginger and lime salmon.
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'From the water' dishes include giant butterfly king prawn pad Thai and royal fishing boat curry with mussels, prawns, squid and salmon. 'From the land' that appear on the menu include confit duck with tangy tamarind sauce and lamb shank massaman curry with coconut milk, cinnamon, cardamom and star anise.
The restaurant also offers a wide range of creative cocktails, including a mojito-style mango and chilli mosquito to a Thai-spresso martini with coconut coffee liqueur. A Thai sabai made with rum and lime juice infused with Thai basil, also features.
The new city centre venue will open in St David's shopping centre on the Hayes, taking over three units previously occupied by Crabtree & Evelyn, Links of London and Radley. The huge site will be able to seat almost 200 guests at one time, offering "soft banquet seating and cosy dining spaces". Get the latest restaurant news and reviews from Cardiff and beyond sent straight to your inbox for free by signing up to our dedicated Food and Drink newsletter.
Giggling Squid was founded by husband and wife team Pranee and Andy Laurillard over 20 years ago. Speaking of the the Cardiff launch Co-founder, Andy Laurillard, said: “We can’t wait to touch down in Cardiff just in time for summer! The St David’s Centre restaurant will be our flagship restaurant, offering up some of the tastiest dishes to our Welsh customers.”
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