Sereno1’s comments prompted me to join and post a review on Ba Orient.

I’ve visited BO on at least 15 occasions, held my own and my girlfriends birthday parties, several private functions and recommended it for my sisters hen night so I feel I fairly well positioned to comment.

I’m deeply saddened that the all too familiar approach adopted by most “above average” independent restaurants in South Wales is ever present here.

This is a classic case of start off well, build a reputation for quality and novelty and then ruin it with contempt for your customers through desire to improve bottom line by cutting everything out that built your reputation in the first place. I refer to the following:

1. The menu has not moved on at all, in fact they have removed the best items (e.g. soft shell crab) and the only reason they gave was that the ingredients perished too easily (or in other words you’d rather serve frozen everything, which to be honest they do), no specials, no originality, in other words if you go down to the Chinese supermarkets in Riverside you will see their menu on display in the fridges (lazy!!!).

2. The decor is in dire need of a complete makeover (or a touch up at least!); the walls are tired, the seats are filthy, the tables chipped, the menus falling apart etc. etc. Again bottom line triumphs!!

3. The management are absolutely rude and arrogant - I arranged an evening for friends (wanting a private room but none was available). I was offered the space round the corner from the bar and assured it would be fine and we’d have a great event. On the night I was told 1 hour in (and £500 out of pocket at the bar alone) that we had to leave the table for another party (booked at 8:30). Now I have no problem with 2 cover restaurants but I expect it to be well voiced on booking. I spoke a “manager” (some jumped up son of the owner with no care for anything other than his M3 I imagine) who simply smirked and walked off.

4. This “place to be seen for upscale bay types” image basically translates to the management allowing far to many people in to stand at the bar resulting in the seated people having the arse of a loud, obnoxious, swearing wannabe yuppie type shoved in their faces while trying to enjoy their store bought Har Gau.

If you want to see how simple this formula is then visit one of any Ping Pong restaurants in London. The food is fresh and well priced, the service polite, decor simple & elegent and large round tables create a friendly enjoyable atmosphere.

The fact is we wouldn’t know a good restaurant if it smacked us in the face in Cardiff. The so called “glamorous” Cardiff Bay is populated by restaurant mediocrity and unoccupied flats.

I will give it 2 positives:
1. My girlfriend love the Rising Sun cocktail (it is pretty special when the main bar man makes it).
2. The XO duck noodles have always been consistently good but I have noticed the quantity of duck diminish.

In summary I suggest people stop placing Bar Orient on this pedestal it so obviously no longer deserves and maybe the management will shape up.

If you want a good Chinese 'close’ to Cardiff then try the Golden Well (or maybe Golden Mile?) on the A48 close to Bridgend. Everything is well cooked; try the salt and pepper squid (which is ruined in places like Happy Gathering) and the steamed sea bass which is much less slimy than you often find. The food is reasonably priced and it has some other dishes to offer than the usual Cantonese fare (i.e. aluminous battered chicken). I recently took a friend from Hong Kong here who is exceptionally well versed in Canton Cuisine and he was fairly pleased with the meal compared to various ones we’ve been to in Cardiff (lets face it he was never going to be bowled over by a South Wales Chinese restaurant was he).

Ba Orient serves high quality food and drinks Their cocktails are superb (if a little on the pricey side) and some of the dishes are wonderful. The decor is fantastic; oppulent and oriental with a water-feature wall and private rooms with low slung tables and couches - ideal for parties. The staff all know their stuff and I have had many a wonderful evening here. My best friend’s 30th birthday was at Ba Orient and they made a big fuss of us and kept dish after dish of mouthwatering food coming. We were spoiled with the quality of the food and service. The champagne top-ups were regular and delivered with flair by the staff, who bantered with all party-goers.
I can particularly recommend the dim sum. If you are confused by the menu (it is vast) i suggest ordering a mix of fried and steamed dim sum. You can’t really go wrong with this. The rice and noodle dishes are all delicious too (yes, i have sampled them all!).
The only down side I can think of is that it’s not quite as good now as when it first opened. I went in the early days with a party of 12 people from all over europe (work-related perk!) and it was utterly fabulous. Really special. The quality of the food was unbelievable. I went again with a party of around 15 people recently and the quality of the food wasn’t anywhere near as good. In between these two times i’ve been and eaten some delicious meals but it seems that when they cater for large groups, the special, outstanding quality of their food dips, which is a shame.

If your young, fabulous and work in the bay I’m sure one of your colleagues have taken you out for an expensive lunch at Ba Orient. The portions of food are perfect and delicious, the interior is sleek modern and professional and the wine list will have you captivated for hours. Anyone who is anyone in Cardiff Bay must be seen here at least once so ensure there social status remains firm. It may be expensive but it certainly is worth it!

I really liked my lunch at this restaurant! It is a very stylish Chinese restaurant and, in my opinion, one of the best I have been. I loved the Dim Sum bar! My meal was made of several different kinds of Dumplings and Dim Sum.

They have plenty Vegetarian choices as well and a very fast service. The location is also a bonus, right next to the marina at Cardiff Bay overlooking the much delicious Cadwalader Icecream parlour, which was my desert!

I highly recomend this restaurant as a light lunch/dinner option, if you are exploring the Bay it is a very good option! And the price isn’t that expensive, I paid for two around £20 and we were more than happy with it.