After the long May bank holiday weekend myself and Josh were well overdue a good catch up. Yeh, I know it was only three days but Josh gets major withdrawal symptoms when he’s not near me. I’m great company. Can’t be helped!

So we decided what better way to catch up about our weekend antics and prep for the show than to stuff our faces? Well I did, Josh is way posher than I am, he would never ‘stuff’ his face! This is a guy that puts his McDonalds on a plate to then eat it with a knife and fork. I know, i’m not sure why i’m still friends with him either?

Bella Italia right here at The Red Dragon Centre was top pick for this months eats because, well, it’s super tasty and we wanted to check out their brand new menu! So many new dishes have been added including a few vegan options! It did not disappoint!

We arrived with rumbling bellies ready for a feast. A three course one! It’s not our usual sized lunch before the show but with such inviting food jumping off the menu we just couldn’t help ourselves.

Now here’s a secret, what Josh doesn’t realise is that my tactic game was strong this day. Although thinking of it, he will find out after reading this, he may never trust me again and it could ruin our friendship for ever but do you know what? It was worth the risk!  I managed to convince him to get different starters and mains to me so I could try more off their new menu. Sneaky ay!
So if you want to bring your mates to Bella’s just so you can try extra treats here’s a tip, always offer your mates to try yours first. To be polite they have to offer you back and that, my friends, is your opportunity to pounce! Thank me later.

As we got stuck into conversation about Josh becoming a dad, having to get up for night feeds, all the crying and cleaning up…puppies are cute but hard work for the first few weeks right?…our starters arrived. I went for the ‘Fritto Misto’ lightly battered king prawns, cod goujons and calamari oh my daaaays absolute heaven! Josh went for the ‘Arancini’ balls of risotto rice, pea, mint and mozzarella. Literally a party in the mouth!

Next up was my turn for a rant about having to be an adult and make adult decisions. I’ve recently bought my first house (this bit is amazing) but we’re renovating and just decided to knock another wall down! That’s four walls now and it looks a right mess! I’m starting to think i’ll have no house left soon!

I could have gone on for days but you know that moment you clock the waiter heading in your direction, you nudge your friend and mumble “think this is ours” and you keep everything crossed that your overconfidence isn’t about to be crushed as the waiter heads to another table? Well, thankfully the waiter came to ours which saved Josh an ear bashing! I decided to fill him in another time about how hard and BORING it is trying to choose new radiators because…HELLO MAINS!

I ordered the ‘Cacio E Pepe’ cheese on top of pasta, roast chicken and parma ham and these juicy little tomatoes which i’m still having dreams about. Sad but true. Josh had the ‘Marco Polo’ pasta with pulled duck and in a sweet plum sauce! GET IN MY BELLY!

We prepped the show over dessert! Personally I think we should always discuss how we’re giving away tickets to huge events and what places we could choose for our game ‘Game of Phones’ over a strawberry cheesecake and Tiramisu more often! Helps you think more clearly you know?

Honestly, I think we’re going to struggle to not come here everyday before the show! We’ll have to close our eyes and run past!
If you’re looking for an excuse to head here soon with your family and friends, you don’t need one! Just get down here and get stuck in! Check out Josh and I every weekday afternoon from 4pm on Capital South Wales!

Kally X