Award-winning chef unveils Pontcanna restaurant Thomas, The Brasserie

Daniel Bevan - Editor

Subscribe to the Businessin Wales daily newsletter for FREE here.

Award-winning chef Tom Simmons has unveiled Thomas, The Brasserie, marking a new chapter for his long-established Pontcanna restaurant as it shifts from fine dining to a more accessible brasserie-style concept.

Formerly known as Thomas by Tom Simmons, the Cardiff restaurant has been reimagined to reflect changing dining habits, with a focus on high-quality food at more approachable price points.

The brasserie is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, offering a fixed menu alongside daily specials built around seasonal produce.

The relaunch retains Simmons’ emphasis on premium local ingredients and classical cooking, while broadening its appeal to a wider customer base.

The menu includes starters such as mushroom parfait and moules marinière, with main courses ranging from short rib and suet pudding to Welsh lamb saddle and potato agnolotti.

A daily specials menu features dishes including sausage and mash, beef Wellington and steak frites, alongside a selection of desserts, drinks and appetisers.

Tom Simmons, originally from Pembrokeshire, said: “Thomas has always been incredibly special to us and to our guests, but we felt the time was right to evolve.

The restaurant has been seen as one of Cardiff’s more refined dining destinations, and while we’re proud of that, Thomas, The Brasserie is about opening things up and making great food more accessible, while still delivering the quality and attention to detail we’re known for.

“It’s a reflection of how people want to dine now.

“Executive chef Tom Peters and I have designed a menu that focuses on classic dishes which will be elevated by the expertise in the kitchen.

“Each and every dish will be prepared with finesse and the highest quality ingredients but with a lower price point so people can enjoy a meal here at any time, not just special occasions.”

Alongside the brasserie, Simmons is also launching Lofft, a new chef’s table dining concept located upstairs at the restaurant. The intimate experience will allow guests to watch dishes being prepared and served first-hand.

Lofft is set to open next month and will be led by Thomas general manager Adam Day and executive chef Tom Peters, formerly of Maaemo and Roux at Parliament Square.