Daily Archives: May 15, 2020

The People

Letters from Cardiff in lockdown: Zoë John

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Today’s instalment for the Letters from Cardiff in lockdown series is a tasty treat from Zoë John. We’re looking for your contributions, so please send your bits in to Letters from Cardiff in lockdown!

Lockdown has been extended in Wales, and with it continues this weird way of life. The age old question of ‘what’s for tea?’ is by far the most frequently asked question in my house, and is asked now, more pressingly than ever.

With the monotony and tedium of lockdown wearing us thin, the thought of our evening meal seems to get us through the day. Luckily we’ve been truly feasting during this time, and being in the
kitchen aids my sense of normality.

However, time goes on…lockdown continues… as does the endless stack of washing up…even tea options becoming seemingly dull.

Pining for the buzz of a restaurant setting, and a sense of occasion, I held a Taco Friday feast, fuelled by Margaritas, Mexican tunes and the lowest and slowest of pulled porks.

Inspired by cinco de Mayo, I decided to, quite literally, spice up our Friday night.

I made margaritas, classic and grapefruit, low and slow pulled pork, buckets of guacamole and garnished the tacos with hot pink pickles, and spicy jalapeños.

Regardless of cuisine, ‘family style’ is always my favourite way of eating. Sharing, styling and customising each taco only adds to the fun, then, scoffing them down very unglamorously.

I laid the table with the brightest of table-cloths, Mexican playlist on, and we ate and drank alfresco in Costa de ‘Diff…Less Tulum…but equally delicious.

I really recommend making the effort for a stay in feast. Who knows what cuisine will transport us somewhere exotic next?

The Lockdown Lollies!

For those working in hospitality, we’re used to high pressure and living fast. It’s part and parcel of the trade. When feeling over worked, I often dream of a slower lifestyle, and a healthy routine. When that slower lifestyle is dumped on us, however, with no definite end in sight, it can feel very overwhelming.

So, how should we keep occupied and entertained during lockdown?

…personify Ice lollies into ‘The Lockdown Lollies’!

Follow Zoe on Instagram @zojohn or her website alfresczo.

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The People

Letters from Cardiff in lockdown: Amy

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Today’s instalment for the Letters from Cardiff in lockdown series comes from Amy of Dead Canary and La Pantera, who welcomed a second child to their family three weeks into the lockdown! We’re looking for your stories, so please contribute to Letters from Cardiff in lockdown! 

Before lockdown, myself and my husband were busy running two bars in Cardiff city centre, as well as chasing after our wonderful two-year-old daughter and getting preparations ready for our son’s imminent arrival.

Our lockdown experience has been a rollercoaster of emotions, from stress and anxiety to laughter to wonderful life changing moments.

We own the Dead Canary, a speak easy style bar which has been open for almost five years, serving Cardiff cocktails made by the most wonderful, hard working and passionate team. In February we opened our second bar, La Pantera, a small taqueria situated above Sully’s / The Blue Honey Night Cafe.

Although only open for a few weeks before we were forced to close due to the coronavirus, it was an exciting new venture, which had, so far, been doing really well and we were so proud of all the feedback we were receiving.

La Pantera!

The start of lockdown was full of anxiety in regards to future of the two bars, as well as being able to look after our teams and our little family. Once the furlough scheme was announced and small business grants were put into place, it did allow for a bit of breathing space and to let us focus on our growing family.

The first three weeks of lockdown were full of creating jungles in the garden, baking questionable cupcakes, crafting crowns made from flowers and twigs and reading The Gruffalo to a hedgehog who was waking up after hibernating all winter in our outhouse. All these activities were to entertain myself as much as our two-yearold. To take my mind off the worries of bringing a new baby into the world in such an unknown time.

Three weeks and two days into lockdown, we welcomed our beautiful 9 lb 7.5 son to the world. The midwives and all of the team at the Heath Hospital were incredible. All were smiling and chipper, creating an air of ease and calm. I can not thank them all enough for their selfless efforts and for keeping us safe and well and delivering our son.

Aurora meets her little brother, lockdown baby Ozzie

Then home for the second chapter of our lockdown, as a family of four. Bit of a different experience to when we returned home with our daughter, where we saw plenty of visitors coming through our doors to say hello and have cwtches with our new bundle of joy.

We can not wait to show him off to the rest of loved ones, and to take him on little adventures.

We are grateful for our health and the safe arrival of our little boy, and having the time to bond and the time to take things easy and slower. He has slotted in very nicely into our family and stolen our hearts.

Why not go and give the Dead Canary and La Pantera some online love for now – and make sure to go visit them in the future when the lockdown is lifted:

Dead Canary website | Dead Canary Facebook | Dead Canary Twitter

La Pantera website | La Pantera Facebook | La Pantera Instagram

The Dead Canary cocktail bar

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