Plans for a little Rhiwbina dolce vita

A planning proposal has been submitted to Cardiff Council to open a bistro style restaurant, with an Italian deli, in the heart of Rhiwbina village.

The unit at 2a and 2b Heol y Deri was, until recently, occupied by The Little People Store. Plans, by a local resident, see the deli focusing on traditional Italian foods and wine.

The restaurant aims to benefit from the applicant's many years of experience in Tuscany to create authentic Italian food, using produce imported directly from Italy, as well as using local producers in South Wales. The application also states the intention to work with existing Rhiwbina businesses and to employ five full-time equivalent staff.

Image: Little People website

Proposed opening hours will be Tuesday - Saturday, with a once a month Sunday opening providing an Italian-style roast dinner and aperitivo. The unit has parking provision behind for six vehicles.

The applicant stated: "While the business might not be the biggest restaurant in Cardiff I am certainly looking to make it one of the best and offer something that I think really represents real quality and passion."

At the time of writing, there had been three responses to the planning application, two in favour and one against.