Why is it hot?
Not just for vegetarians, this family-run restaurant offers food of such quality that even the most hardened carnivore won't miss the meat. Vegans are spoilt for choice too, and for those of us who can't handle the heat, dishes can be made as spicy or as mild as you like. All of the dishes are prepared to order by talented chef Neil Patel, with the ingredients not just chosen for their flavour, but for their health properties too, such as certain spices said to aid circulation.
The menu offers a bewildering range of eat-in or take-out Indian and Asian dishes to choose from, but the welcoming staff will happily explain it to you. A good place to start is the VFS platter mix (£3.25 per person) which gives you a selection of their most popular savoury starters, including samosas, pakoras, and bhajia.
Moving on to mains, I went for the Ringan No-Oro (barbeque roasted aubergine, £4.35) while my dinner date opted for the Chutney Dosa (£4.65), which turned out to be the largest savoury pancake I've ever seen. Those with a sweet tooth can choose from a colourful selection of desserts from the counter, and if the good food has made you a little sleepy then a ‘Disco' spiced coffee is just what you need to perk you up for the trip home.
One of the highest testaments to the standard of food served has to be their Paris customer, who flies to Wales once every fortnight to spend a weekend eating at the Studio and stocking up on supplies to take back with him to France. Prices are so reasonable that you can well believe this tale - students in particular can get great deals on meals delivered direct to them, for just £3.50.
No alcohol is sold on the premises, but the non-alcoholic Cobra beer is actually very palatable, or you can bring your own booze for a nominal corkage charge.
Average price of a meal for two?
You can easily get a feast for two for £15.
Best part?
What you don't eat you can take home in a doggy bag.
Address: 109 Penarth Road, Cardiff CF11 6JT
Website: www.vegetarianfoodstudio.co.uk
