Buffalo Bar is renowned for being one of CardiffÔÇÖs leading bars ÔÇô its cocktails and nights cannot be upstaged by another ÔÇô but when we Food and Drink editors were invited to try out their Sunday roast, we really didnÔÇÖt know what to expect. We were surprised to see the place so empty. IÔÇÖve never actually been there on a Sunday before, and it was different being there without the crowds of revellers filling every space and having to weave myself in and out of the way for a drink or cigarette.

ThereÔÇÖs a certain charm to Buffalo that works in many different circumstances. On one hand itÔÇÖs a great place to hold a night: itÔÇÖs fun, unique and well, cool. But on the other, its smooth, classy elegance makes it a great establishment for a restaurant, and I felt comfortable in the atmosphere it provided.

The roast was a fairly priced ┬ú6.95, with the choice of chicken, beef or vegetarian Glamorgan sausage as the staple. The waitress was helpful, eager even, to ensure that we were comfortable and we had everything we needed. ThereÔÇÖs nothing better than starting a meal with a smile, although itÔÇÖs even better if you finish with one.

The food arrived promptly, I canÔÇÖt actually remember having to wait long at all, and our first thoughts were that the dishes looked great. They came in wide square plates with accompanying vegetables on a separate tray. We both loved the way it looked – tradition presented in a chic, desirable manner, reflecting BuffaloÔÇÖs interior and the whole feel that belongs to the old favourite.

The food tasted nice, although the beef was a little tough. The vegetables were pretty standard: roast potatoes; honey roasted parsnips; carrots; broccoli; mashed swede; braised red and savoy cabbage and a homemade Yorkshire pud. There was definitely enough of everything as well ÔÇô the meat lasted until the end and I had vegetables to spare. The dish didnÔÇÖt try to be something that it wasn’t and so didnÔÇÖt exceed any expectations that I had, but I must note that the parsnips and red cabbage did stand out, and added a sticky-sweet feel to the entire dish. The gravy was flavoursome, thick and warm, but we questioned whether its warmth really held up the plate, which arrived a little too much on the cold side for our liking. Although that wasnÔÇÖt detrimental to the entire experience, it did mean that the food was completely cold by the end.

The meal was enjoyable, and left us full and satisfied – for ┬ú6.95 you really canÔÇÖt go wrong. Good flavours, good portions and good vibes from the establishment resulted in a meal that IÔÇÖd go back for again, especially as a student (it stood out over roasts that IÔÇÖve had for the same price, and for that reason I canÔÇÖt complain).

With their new menu on the way, Buffalo definitely fills a gap, and I assure you ÔÇô youÔÇÖll leave with a smile.