By Majella Taylor: New Opening – New bistro concept opening in Cardiff’s Castle Arcade.
Maison De Boeuf, a new restaurant concept from the Vintage Tea & Coffee Co, will launch in Cardiff’s historic Castle Arcade on Friday 12 May.
Inspired by trips to Parisian restaurants and specialising in steak-frites, the new bistro concept has been designed for rapid rollout by the family business behind independent bar chains Gin & Juice and Rum & Fizz, and the Coffee Barker brand.
The all-day bistro will serve a prix-fixe, set menu built around a single main course of certified PGI Welsh Beef steak, frites and the Barkers’ secret sauce. Also on the menu are a selection of classic French starters and Parisian inspired desserts alongside a wine list and cocktail menu designed by the expert Gin & Juice team to suit all tastes and budgets.
This is the latest venture from husband-and-wife team Stephen and Charlotte Barker and their sons Kurtis and Kane. Known for creative and stylish interiors across their venues, Maison de Boeuf has been designed to feel romantic, chic and relaxing.
To give Maison De Boeuf an edge in the casual dining market, the team has focused on combining an accessible price point with sophisticated surroundings, evoking romantic Parisian bistros, with sumptuous red leather banquettes surrounding candlelit tables and an elegant zinc-topped cocktail bar greeting guests upon arrival.
Maison de Boeuf co-founder Stephen Barker explains: “In Maison de Boeuf we’re creating a new breed of dining venue, offering great quality and exceptional value via our prix-fixe menu of two or three courses served at lunch and dinner.
“The streamlined menu, combined with an appealing wine and cocktail selection is designed to attract a diverse clientele across various occasions while delivering strong margin and ensuring operational efficiency to enable a rapid rollout to other cities.
“We believe we’re creating an enticing opportunity for investors and commercial landlords to be part of Maison De Boeuf’s success as we create a Parisian-inspired revolution of the culinary scene in Cardiff – and beyond.”
Maison De Boeuf will operate from midday to midnight on weekdays and until 1 am on weekends, with a 2,000 sq ft space across two Castle Arcade units, generating around 25 new jobs.
Co-founder, Charlotte Barker, added: “Every time we visit Paris, we fall in love with its chic, simple Bistros – the effortless style and great food and wine, yet always with a sense of occasion, often lacking in the UK’s casual dining offer. We wanted to bring that cosy, romantic Parisian atmosphere to our home city of Cardiff, the perfect city to test our new concept as we are so familiar with it – creating a versatile space for romantic dinners, informal business meetings, or pre-theatre meals,” she said.
Since the Barker family first opened in Castle Arcade in 1982 their portfolio has grown from fashion retail to hospitality with Coffee Barker, Barker Tea Rooms, Gin & Juice, and Rum & Fizz more recently expanding the business into Swansea, Bristol, and Cheltenham.
