I saw John Grant perform at The Gate Arts and Community Centre in Roath, Cardiff, last night; a terrific gig. The Gate is housed in a 100 year old Grade II listed church building (formally the Plasnewydd Presbyterian Church). The concert was in The Grand Theatre, which used to be the upper part of the church. The original pews form seats up the back and sides of the theatre. There is also a Dance Studio and two exhibition spaces.
Food is available at The Gate in the Mad Hatters Café Bar. This is located in the original schoolroom, the oldest part of the building, dating from 1896. Mad Hatters was set up in 2001, as part of the activities of a local catering company of that name. There are a range of breakfast options, including American-style pancakes. At lunchtimes, they offer a range of sandwiches, baguettes, paninis, soups, salads, jacket potatoes and cakes, along with an extensive ranges of teas, coffees, smoothies, soft and alcoholic drinks. There is a sizable children’s menu (and a well-stocked toy box).
In the evening, there are a wider range of meals, including salads, pasta, meatballs, and steak and chips. All the food is good value. The local community is well-served here. As you might expect, there is an Alice in Wonderland theme going on in the menu.
The range of bottled beers is good, ranging from locally-produced to Belgian beers. A number of interesting events are held in The Mad Hatters in the evenings, including the Science and Philosophy Cafés (1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month, respectively). On the last Tuesday of each month, there is a Jazz Café event.
Last night, John Grant played all of his album Queen of Denmark, some impressive new songs, and a number of songs from his back-catalogue with The Czars. He is no stranger to Cardiff, of course, as the video for Chicken Bones was filmed here.
Previous blog post about John Grant:
http://sfnottingham.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-wanna-go-to-marz_19.html
The Gate Arts and Community Centre. Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff
http://www.thegate.org.uk/
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