It was a wet, miserable Saturday afternoon and we had a reservation 30 minutes before Wales kicked off against New Zealand just a street away. Was this a good idea? Wiping intermittently at the steamed up windows of the bus ride in, this was a journey only made bearable by the thought of returning to Pasture, a year after my last visit.

Since opening 2 years ago, Pasture has firmly established itself as a front runner in Cardiff’s dining scene, if you want to book on a Saturday evening in the 6pm-9pm slot, you’ll be waiting months, and what other restaurant can claim that? They can cater for walk ins but that’s always a risk, so is it’s popularity warranted? Let’s see.

On entering the first thing that struck me was the music, fairly loud beach house style, felt more like a beach bar in Ibiza and although not what I was expecting and slightly distracting it soon began to feel, well right. The restaurant was awash with Welsh Rugby jerseys, a well organised booking for many, no Greggs when we get into town for these fans, each table filtering out at kick off approached.

Pasture is busy (as always) and there is a good buzz within the restaurant, I have never been to a restaurant with so many staff, all busy, all smiling and all working as a team. Pasture blends the formal and informal perfectly, the bar sending out cocktails, Tiny Rebel IPA and £800 bottles of wine all under one roof. Exposed brickwork and pipes although perhaps becoming a little cliche really work here as an aesthetic and the addition of wood paneling in other areas prevents it feeling too urban.

I doubt this is the first review you have read of Pasture, I was treading where many had gone before and therefore had seen that the Short Rib Croquettes £6 were a firm favourite, I didn’t hesitate to order these and I’m glad I did. A lovely crispy coating packed full of that rich, tender short rib beef and the Gochujang aioli providing a hint of sweetness as well as a lingering heat in your throat, long after you’ve eaten them. Fantastic.

Just in case you weren’t aware, Pasture is all about Beef, and lots of it. Sourced from farms in Wales and the South West it can definitely be classed as local produce, and each steak is cut fresh by the in house butchers. For the range of cuts, weights and quality it’s far more than just your average steak house.

For our main event we went with a 550g Chateaubriand, at £13 per 100g this came to £71.50, however this price includes two sauces and two sides, so good value in my eyes if dining as a pair. The beef itself was exceptional, unbelievably tender, barely had to chew it, wonderful flavour from the coal and cherry wood method of cooking and the lovely gnarly edge giving it a nice char. The sauces chosen were Peppercorn and Whisky Teriyaki, both excellent.

The sides we chose were Spinach Gratin with leeks and cheese, and Truffle Chips with Cornish gouda cheese, these would cost you £4.95 each on their own. Additional sides ordered were Seasonal Greens and Dripping Chips at £3.95 each.

The Spinach Gratin was well seasoned, the taste of the leek and cheese really coming through, it was rich, warm comfort food and I ate the lot. The chips were as they should be, hot with a crispy coating and a fluffy centre, again well seasoned.

To wash all this down I had a 2018 Thorn-Clarke Shiraz from Australia, with flavours of black cherries, plums and mulberries it matched my meal well and was very easy to drink. £8.75 for a 175ml glass.

To finish was The Spiced Rum Trifle £7.95, whipped coconut, charred pineapple, poached quince, ginger cake, lime, hazlenut and sprinkled with chilli flakes. Absolutely delicious, everything balanced well, the cocunut and hazlenut adding texture to the rum soaked cake, there may have been room for a touch more rum….hic!

It’s not just the food that is exceptional here, the service matches it every step of the way and more. They have really understood the importance of the customer experience and the mission to create a wonderful dining experience, something so many fall short on. Restaurant service is my bread and butter and so far, I have yet to experience better. I need to give a shout to our Italian server Miriam, delivering a faultless service with notable touches such as notifying us she was going on a break and introducing us to who would be taking over our table during that time.

Pasture is the kind of restaurant that will cover any occasion, going on a date? Book it. Going out for drinks and want to eat first? Book it. Catching up with friends? Book it. If you’re willing to eat outside of regular times you will have no trouble getting a table here, you’ll just wish you had done it sooner.