A bar/restaurant which gives priority admission to members. Pleasant food and quiet atmosphere.

The Cameo Club is normally quite an exclusive bar/restaurant affair, attracting BBC presenter types from Broadcasting House, a mile or so up the road. Recently they have expanded, taking over the restaurant next-door (the ill-fated Ana Bella, which hoiked their prices whenever there was mention of festal timing).

Note well: You must be a member of the Cameo Club (or be with a member) if you want to be sure of entering after 7pm - very sensible, keep the riff-raff out. Lincoln, Nice Gem, the Chief and a chum were allowed exclusive access. Well, not really exclusive, they are letting anyone in, to promote the loveliness of being a club member and once people are hooked they will want to sign up for £95 per year. We'll see if its worth it later on.

The ambiance of the place was very pleasant and bubbly, but the Pontcanna clientele are not known for their raucous behaviour. It clearly has had a lick of paint recently, but in their wisdom the management chose a sanitary grey. There was a TV on over the bar (bad), but the sound was off (good). We started off in the bar area for drinks, but because it was relatively quiet we stayed there for eats instead of 'going through'.

Starters were in the range £4 - 6
Main £10 - £14
Puddings £3.50 - £5

Between us we decided to go for pudding over starter in this 2 course bonanza, such was our whim.

Nice Gem enjoyed a lamb hotpot, which was succulently cooked, so that it literally fell apart. She says there was more than enough of it, but she is quite small (yet perfectly formed). Our cosmologist chum (I'll call him 'Hob-Nob' for now) and I both plumbed for steak, mine medium and his rare. I have to say that for once, the chef really understood what those terms meant and delivered just that (just don't expect French standard of rarity). With a tantelising amount of 'jus'. These had a bowl of chips on the side, which were pleasantly flavoured with a slightly sweet spice.

Chief, against all our advice, went for mushroom ravioli, enticed by the 'tomato fondue' which was advertised to accompany it. This puzzled us, the waiter and inevitably, the chef who having put 'fondue' on the menu, served a simple, creamy tomato sauce - very much like a ragu.

Pudding was quite a different matter. Apple pie is always very welcome, especially in cold weather, but sadly this one displayed all the signs of intimacy with the microwave - soggy, tepid crust and thermonuclear apple. Hob-nob's welsh cheese platter was on the other hand, rather impressive. We couldn't identify the cheeses, which was a shame but there was ample to satisfy him.

Hob-nob, being a clever chap, worked out that since members were given 10% discount on all food and drink, you would have to visit the Cameo Club, once a week spending around £20 at a time to recoup the membership fee. They do offer free booking of their function rooms to members, which might work out as a more lucrative investment.

The conversation over the course of the evening varied from Wordsworth, the merits of Opera, the genius of Humphrey Lyttleton, and professional darts. All washed down with a couple of bottle of Australian shiraz, and produced a very enjoyable evening.

At 30 pounds a head (2 courses, wine, coffee and tip) it is not a cheap night out, but it was a night out and not quick bite after work. The food was good value (in a simple, well delivered way) but I'm not sure I would want to become a member, but that does not necessarily bar your patronage.

By the way, love the light shades...