English

Bristol

BENTLEY CAFE & GALLERY
50 Princess Victoria St, Clifton, BS8 4BZ
Tel: 0117 973 7673, web: www.thebentleyclifton.co.uk
Housed in a former garage (hence the name), The Bentley, which opened in 2007, offers modern European, brasserie-style cuisine at lunch, as well as wines, coffees, lighter dishes and a rather special breakfast menu incorporating everything from the full English to pancakes, fresh fruit salad and eggs benedict. Now open eves (Tue-Sat only), offering what must be one of Clifton’s most exclusive dining venues, with a limited number of tables available but surrounded by some of the best contemporary art – the place is the exclusive UK outlet for Israeli sculptor Shlomi Haziza. Menu S: duck confit ravioli with duck vinaigrette, mango, soft herbs; panfried scallops with cauliflower puree, fennel, apple, watercress; M: mushroom & filo mille-feuille with spinach, red onion, cherry tomatoes and thyme pesto; corn-fed chicken breast with sweetcorn potato pancake, fine herbs, tomato and pea salsa, basil oil. P: chocolate fondant with vanilla ice-cream and praline; passionfruit brulee with a white-chocolate spring roll Price ALC: from £5/from £9/from £6. Breakfast £5-£7, lunch from £7 Wine list Small and exclusive, from approx £13 btl Open Tue-Sat 10am-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 10am-5pm. Disabled access. Corporate and private functions catered for.

BROWNS
38 Queens Rd, BS8 1RE
Tel: 0117 930 4777, web: www.browns-restaurants.com
This long-standing British cafe-bar/restaurant institution (established way back in 1973) welcomes all. The menus, with food served all day from breakfast through till dinner, offer a reliable blend of classic dishes with contemporary additions, while the surroundings ooze style. At this branch (see also Bath listing), the light, airy interior (modelled on the Doge’s Palace in Venice, no less) is supplemented by undercover alfresco dining out front - perfect for people-watching while you scoff and quaff. Separate set menus available for larger groups and children. Bar snacks and afternoon tea also available. Menu S: half-dozen fresh oysters; grilled cornish goat’s cheese with green leaves, figs, hazelnuts. M: roast mediterranean vegetable tart with shallot & thyme pastry, black olive tapenade and rocket; prawn & chorizo linguine. P: baked vanilla, pear & ginger cheesecake; sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and clotted cream Price ALC: from £4.50/from £8.75/from £4.65. Sun roast £9.95. Lunch/early eve: 1 £6.95 (add a dessert for an extra £3). Special deals on pre-theatre and group menus Wine list Extensive. Superb range of bottled and draught beers, cocktails. HW £14.75 btl, £3.80 gls Open Daily 10am-11pm (Sun 11am-10pm). Bar till 12midnight Thur-Sat. Children welcome. Good disabled access & toilet. Most major credit cards.

CARVERY COMPANY
Merlin Way, Cribbs Causeway, BS10 7TT
Tel: 0117 959 8272, web: www.thecarverycompany.co.uk
Lively, independently owned 350-seater restaurant offering a choice of three freshly cooked roasts (with full traditional trimmings) every day, alongside sturdy faves such as fish & chips, pies, salads, jacket potatoes and vegetarian dishes. All food is freshly prepared on the premises and ingredients are locally sourced. Milkshakes, bottled/draught beers, bar open to non-diners. If you can’t find what you want here, try the Carvery’s sister restaurant, the Preview Bar and Grill, right next door. Menu S: brussels liver pate; prawn cocktail. M: Carvery roast (choice of meats with yorkshire pud, roast potatoes, veg); fish & chips. P: strawberry sundae; homemade apple pie; chocolate sponge pudding Price ALC: from £2.95/roast £7.95 (Mon-Thur), £8.95 (Fri-Sun)/from £2.45. SL: roast £5.95 (Mon-Fri 11.30am-5pm) Wine list Wide selection, plus beers, spirits, cocktails. HW from £10.45 btl, £2.85 gls Open Daily 11.30am-late. Children welcome (own menu). Takeaway. Major credit cards. Disabled access. Parties 20+ welcome – call in adv.

CLIFTON SAUSAGE
7-9 Portland St, Clifton, BS8 4JA
Tel: 0117 973 1192, web: www.cliftonsausage.co.uk
In the heart of Clifton Village, the stripped pine furniture, candles and warm yellow and sky blue walls prove that comfort is found in the surroundings as well as the food at the Clifton Sausage. Venue reviewers are just a small part of the huge, loyal fan base who absolutely love this place: ‘Good, solid food with fancy touches,’ said one of our visitors. ‘The definition of a hearty meal.’ It’s not just about the bangers, though: CS specialises in traditional and classic British dishes as well as sausages, using the freshest, finest ingredients from British regional suppliers where possible. With seasonal favourites like steamed mussels in cider, new season lamb, local game and a great choice for pudding lovers, British cuisine is here receiving the celebratory treatment it deserves. Menu S: confit of pig’s cheek with buttered spinach and red wine jus; duck liver parfait with caraway toast, with port & cinnamon jelly. M: tasting plate (clifton, old spot, lamb and beef sausages) with parsnip crisps; roast breast of wiltshire pheasant wrapped in pancetta, with braised red cabbage, sautéed potatoes, wild mushroom sauce. P: sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice-cream; poached pear in white wine and saffron with honeycomb ice-cream and vanilla shortbread Price ALC: from £5/from £8.50/from £5. Sun lunch (sturdy roast options alongside veg, fish and sausage alternatives): 2 £13.50, 3 £15.50 Wine list Impressive. HW from £15.50 btl, £4 gls Open Mon 6pm-12midnight, Tue-Sun 12noon-12midnight (food Tue-Fri 12noon-2.30pm, Mon-Thur 6.30-10pm, Fri-Sat 6.30-11pm, Sat-Sun 12noon-3pm, Sat 6.30-10pm, Sun 6.30-9pm). Children over 14 welcome. Limited disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties of 8+, book in adv.

ELLIPSE AT MERCURE BRIGSTOW HOTEL
5-7 Welsh Back, BS1 4SP
Tel: 0117 929 1030, web: www.accorhotels.com
Directly facing the harbourside and offering superb views across the water, the AA rosette Ellipse Restaurant is renowned for its relaxed, stylish atmosphere. The ever-changing menu, courtesy of head chef Luke Trott, reflects the seasons, so only the finest, freshest and best-cooked food is served. Perfect for lazy brunches, light lunches and, with that great view, classy, romantic dinners. Menu S: brochette of scallops & cornish smoked halibut with julienne of sweet & sour cucumber; smoked south coast mackerel paté with plum tomato & red onion marmalade. M: roasted rack of english spring lamb with roasted garlic & honey jus, fondant potatoes; forest of dean corn-fed breast of chicken on sauté of oyster mushrooms and flatleaf parsley. P: cherry parfait with chocolate shortbread; iced rhubarb souffle Price ALC: from £5.50/from £10/from £5 Wine list Extensive grands vins selection, cocktails, real ale, draught beers. HW from approx £13.95 btl Open Mon-Sun 11am-5pm & 6-10pm (bar till 1am). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call in adv (0117 906 9970).

GALA CASINO BRISTOL HARBOURSIDE
Explore Lane, BS1 5TY
Tel: 0117 906 9970, web: www.galacasino.co.uk
Stylish, sophisticated, ultra-modern chargrill restaurant on the casino’s upper level, overlooking Bristol’s harbour. Specialises in grills - chargrilled premium-quality aged Scottish steaks – plus all-day breakfasts, excellent burgers, fish, pasta, salads and authentic curries. For pre/post-dinner drinks, the casino’s Epernay Champagne Bar offers a full range of vintage and non-vintage champagnes, plus premium spirits, beers and cocktails, or there’s the designer vodka bar 18° Below Zero which features giant blocks of ice embedded in the bar itself to keep drinks icy cool. Well worth a flutter. Menu S: barbecue pork ribs; grilled tiger prawns. M: goat’s cheese, spinach & sundried tomato tart; crispy duck platter; 16oz scottish T-bone steak. P: bramley apple, sultana & cinnamon pie; chocolate fudge cake Price ALC: from £3.75/from £5.95/from £3.25. SD: 2 £9.95, 3 £11.95 (seated before 8pm) Wine list Extensive, international. HW £9.95 btl, £2.60 gls Open Daily 24 hours (food served 12noon-3am). Disabled access. Major credit cards.

GREENS’ DINING ROOM
25 Zetland Rd, BS6 7AH
Tel: 0117 924 6437, web: www.greensdiningroom.com
Lovely family-run, cosy neighbourhood bistro serving up top-notch fare and, as you’d expect from a trio comprising ex-Glassboat/riverstation chefs who’ve worked with Alastair Little and the River Cafe’s Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers, the place positively screams pedigree. Food is mainly classic European/modern British (but don’t be surprised if the occasional Asian ingredient turns up on your plate), and the menu changes daily depending on what’s available from their (mostly local) suppliers. Leisurely brunch at weekends (from 10am Sat); children’s meals, too. Menu S: chicken liver & bacon terrine with pickles and tomato chutney; smoked salmon with potato pancake, creme fraiche, chives. M: grilled fillet of black bream with spanish black beans and anchovy dressing; roast wood pigeon on sundried tomato polenta with smoked bacon and button mushrooms. P: pear & almond tart; lemon posset with shortbread Price ALC: lunch from £5.50/from £8.75/from £5. SL: £10 for two courses, SD: 2 £21.50, 3 £27.50 Wine list Extensive, international. HW £12.50 btl, £3.40 gls, 7-8 wines by gls/small carafe Open Tue-Fri 12.30-3pm (Sat 10am-3pm) & Tue-Sat 6.30-10.30pm (last orders). Children welcome. Disabled access, but not to toilets. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call in adv.

JACKS BAR & BRASSERIE
The Pavilion, 1 Hannover Quay, Harbourside, BS1 5JE
Tel: 0117 945 3990, web: www.jacksbrasserie.co.uk
Located in the bustling, ever-expanding harbourside, Jacks offers up contemporary British cuisine with a modern European twist, with daily changing menus focusing on seasonal produce from local suppliers. The kitchen team produce an array of classics and modern dishes, with a selection of roasts from their charcoal oven. Wine list features new and old world wines, many sourced exclusively to complement the food on offer, and the floor-to-ceiling windows and flagstone terrace make the most of the fabulous views. Bar is open all day for coffee, light bites, afternoon tea and an extensive range of beer, spirits and soft drinks. Check website for regular updates and dining offers. A second Jacks debuted last year in nearby Portishead (see Out of Town Restaurants). Menu S: fresh devon crab cakes with fennel salad, sweet chilli sauce; grilled mediterranean vegetable bruschetta on bed of rocket with sundried tomato pesto. M: fresh cornish fish of the day in local ale batter with chunky homemade chips, yorkshire caviar; confit duck leg and lyonnaise potatoes with red wine sauce. P: sticky toffee pudding; raspberry & white chocolate brulee Price ALC: from £4/from £8.75/from £4.50 Wine list Extensive, international. HW from £13.75 btl, £3.25 gls Open Daily 10am-11pm (food served 10am-10pm). Children welcome. Good disabled access. Major credit cards.

PREVIEW BUFFET BAR
The Venue, Merlin Rd, Cribbs Causeway BS10 7SR
Tel: 0117 959 8282, web: www.previewbarandgrill.co.uk
A new-style restaurant has opened at Cribbs providing an all inclusive choice of meals at a single fixed price. Owned and operated by the owners of The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare, diners pay the set price on arrival before helping themselves to the dishes on offer – everything from soups, salad, pizza, pasta, grills, Oriental wok dishes, burgers and traditional English roasts and a choice of desserts.The new concept should prove popular with visitors to The Venue – especially those grabbing a bite before taking in a movie or going bowling. The Preview Buffet Bar pre-pay and self serve system ensure that there is no waiting for meals to be delivered to the table, or for the bill to arrive at the end. The menu includes starters including a choice of soups and salads and a choice of desserts, including a children’s ice-cream machine. The menus vary with extra dishes to choose from in the evenings at weekends with a larger carvery selection on Sundays for those who want traditional roasts. Prices vary depending on when you visit and are £5.95 for as much as you can eat on Monday to Friday 11.30am – 5.30pm; £7.95 on Sunday to Thursday evenings, and £9.95 on Friday from 5.30 pm, all day Saturday and Sunday until 5.30 pm and on Bank Holidays. Children under 10 years old eat for £4.95.

RIVER
1 The Watershed, Canons Rd, BS1 5UH
Tel: 0117 930 0498, web: www.theriverbristol.com
Traditional homemade English cuisine right on the city’s glorious waterfront – laidback and distinctly family-friendly during the day, lively at night and rammed to the rafters at weekends. Whatever time you drop in, you’ll find a relaxing atmosphere in which to enjoy generous portions of well-executed modern classics, with a seemingly never-ending combination of sausage & mash dishes and pies courtesy of Bristol’s very own Pieminister. Award-winning cocktails; alfresco dining overlooking the river. Menu S: calamari; mini-mezze platter. M: sausage & mash: eight different types of sausage (including west country cider, steak, port & ale, lincolnshire-style vegetarian) with a choice from three types of mash & gravy combinations; mixed seafood, lemon & herb risotto with warm ciabatta bread. P: cheesecake; white chocolate & strawberry tart Price ALC: from £4.50/from £6.50/£4 Wine list HW approx £12 btl, £3-£4 gls. Extensive, well-stocked bar Open Daily 11am-late. Children welcome, all dishes in smaller sizes, highchairs. Major credit cards. Parties of 20+.

NEW
RIVER GRILLE AT THE BRISTOL HOTEL
Prince St, BS1 4QF
Tel: 0117 923 0333, web: www.doylecollection.com
This light, airy, quayside restaurant at the Bristol Hotel (formerly Jurys) takes fine, fresh natural ingredients (steak from Somerset farms, West Country cheeses) to conjure up classic, handcrafted dishes with a modern twist. Menu S: exmoor blue cheese & fig tart with caramelised red onions, baby spinach salad; smoked haddock & west country potato cake with saffron aioli. M: forest of dean free-range, corn-fed chicken breast with honey & thyme glaze, triple-cooked hand-cut chips, portobello mushrooms and choice of sauces; panfried fish fillet of the day, with baby potatoes, baby spinach and shrimp, tomato & caper butter; P: knickerbocker glory; creme brulee Price ALC: from £4/from £9.50/£5.50 Wine list HW: approx £14 btl, £4 gls. Extensive, well-stocked bar Open Daily 11am-late. Children welcome. Major credit cards.

WALRUS & CARPENTER
1 Regent St, Clifton, BS8 4HW
Tel: 0117 974 3793, web: www.thewallybath.co.uk
Bristol branch of the highly popular, much-loved, long-established Bath institution. Now open all day and operating as Alice’s Cafe from lunchtime till 6pm, offering a lighter menu. Menu/Price/Wine list See Bath listing Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties catered for - call in adv.

NEW
ZEST BISTRO
2nd Floor, House of Fraser, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BD
Tel: 0844 800 3710
House of Fraser’s licensed bar and restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, a glass of wine, even champagne afternoon tea. Interior is fresh and modern, and the atmosphere informal. Children’s menu helps shopped-out parents and children alike to enjoy a well-earned break. Menu cooked breakfasts; pancakes with strawberries and blueberries; champagne afternoon tea for two Price Breakfast from £4.95, champagne afternoon tea for two £25 Wine list Mostly European, constantly changing, many available by the glass (from approx £4 gls) Open Mon-Sat 9.30am-8pm, Sun 10.30am-5pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards.

Bath

ARCH
2-3 Queen St, BA1 1HE
Tel: 01225 444403, web: www.restaurantdelarche.co.uk
Previously known as Restaurant de l’Arche, this stylish restaurant - formerly French, now modern British in theme - enjoys a prime location on one of Bath’s most picturesque cobbled streets and features a chic, unique oyster and champagne bar upstairs. Elegant in an understated way, with invitingly well-dressed tables (sparkling glassware, candles, single-stemmed roses) and plush, dark red paintwork to add a touch of classy bordello to proceedings. Menu S: beetroot soup with toasted cumin cream; home-smoked salmon & horseradish pot with pickles. M: grilled calves’ liver with crispy bacon, red onion marmalade, sticky red cabbage; panfried pollack with sautéed jerusalem artichokes and parsley gremolata. P: white chocolate cheesecake; dark chocolate & orange torte Price ALC: from £4.95/from £9.95/from £4.95. Light lunch dishes from £5.95. Set menu (12noon-3pm & 5-7.30pm): 2 £10.95, 3 £13.50; (after 7.30pm) 2 £12.95, 3 £15.50 Wine list Extensive, inc champagne. HW approx £13 btl Open Tue-Sat 12noon-3pm & 5pm-12midnight, Sun-Mon 5-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access after steps to main entrance. Major credit cards. Private room for up to 50. Group bookings - call in adv.

NEW
BANGLO
44 Lower Bristol Rd, BA2 3BD
Tel: 01225 345442, web: www.banglo.co.uk
With its interesting, inviting decor (think cosy but minimalist chic), sofa seating on the covered, alfresco deck and thoughtfully eclectic menu, Banglo has brought a much-needed blast of life to an erstwhile overlooked location. The head honchos here describe the food on offer as ‘a taste of Britain today’, combining colours, cultures and flavours – the same could be said for the Banglo experience overall. Free Wi-Fi. Menu S: salt & pepper squid with aioli; scotch egg with mayonnaise and celery salt. M: free-range chicken kiev with parsley mash and garlic butter; chargrilled somerset rib-eye steak with hand-cut chips and stilton butter. P: hot chocolate & Baileys pudding; creme brulee Price ALC: from £5/from £9/£4.50 Wine list Intelligent selection. HW from £12 btl, £3.20 gls Open Mon-Thur 11am-12midnight, Fri-Sat 11am-3am (live music/DJs from 11pm), Sun 12noon-5pm (food served Mon-Sat 12noon-2pm & 6-10pm, Sun 12noon-4pm). Children welcome. Limited disabled access – call in adv. Major credit cards. Private hire/large parties welcome (licensed till 3am daily) - call in adv.

BATHWICK BOATMAN
Forester Rd, Bathwick, BA2 6QP
Tel: 01225 428844, web: www.bathwickboatman.com
Set within the environs of the Victorian Bath Boating & Punting Station, the tranquil surroundings and homemade quality fare (including an extravagant specials board and a spiffing Sunday lunch) turn the BB into a beloved gem. A Venue reviewer went overboard when describing resident chef Ben Hall: ‘a master of the art of Euro-influenced, locally sourced, homemade cuisine with a passion for robust, earthy flavours, zingingly fresh fish and very thoughtful veggie options,’ she swooned. During summer months, you can arrive for your meal by boat from Pulteney Weir, while punts, skiffs and canoes are for hire by the hour or day from the station itself. Lovely. Menu S: classic prawn cocktail; onion basola with parmesan & melted truffle butter. M: pumpkin and amaretti ravioli with sage & butter sauce; confit duck leg and stuffed pig’s trotter with polenta and purple sprouting broccoli. P: melting chocolate cake with vanilla white chocolate sauce; mango sorbet Price ALC: from £4/from £9.75/from £3.50. Sun lunch: 2 £14, 3 £17 (children: 2 £9.50) Wine list HW from approx £11 btl, £3.40 gls Open Tue-Sun 12noon-2pm, Tue-Sat 6-9.30pm (last orders). Children welcome. No disabled access. Open bank hol Mons. Major credit cards. Parties, weddings, corporate events and formal dinners catered for.

BOATHOUSE
Newbridge Rd, Newbridge, BA1 3NB
Tel: 01225 482584
Huge, converted boathouse in a beautiful location with a large alfresco garden overlooking the river and a chilled-out, contemporary feel within. Creative modern British menus adapt to all tastes from light-bite lunches and sharing platters to full-on feasts, including a Sunday carvery that’s sturdy enough to keep you afloat till Tuesday. Menu S: venison pate; antipasti platter. M: Celtic Pride premium rump steak with herb butter, grilled plum tomato, field mushrooms, rocket, onion rings and choice of potatoes; poached shetland salmon fillet with bearnaise sauce. P: raspberry cheesecake; white & dark chocolate sundae Price ALC: from £3.25/from £7.50/from £3.75. SL: 2 £8.95. Sun carvery (12noon-4pm): 2 £8.95 3 £9.95 Wine list Well-stocked bar. HW approx £11 btl Open Food served Mon-Thur 12noon-9pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-10pm, Sun 12noon-8pm. Children very welcome, own menus, play area. Full disabled access with lift & toilet. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Function room for private hire, up to 90 seated, 120 buffet.

BROWNS
Orange Grove, BA1 1LP
Tel: 01225 461199, web: www.browns-restaurants.com
Formerly a police station and magistrates court, today this stunning Georgian building plays host to a spacious 160-seater restaurant, separate bar area and gorgeous terrace out front, with top views of the abbey and the weir - a timelessly stylish environment in which to enjoy yourself. Good-value lunch/dinner deals, and great-value cocktail happy hour. Menu/Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu. Good disabled access & toilet. Most major credit cards.

BRUNEL’S AT THE ROYAL HOTEL
Manvers St, BA1 1JP
Tel: 01225 463134, web: www.royalhotelbath.co.uk
The Royal Hotel (directly opposite Bath Spa Station) was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1846 and has traded as a hotel, restaurant and bar ever since. A recent refurbishment has brought a much-needed breath of fresh air to proceedings, bringing everything right up to date while still retaining the building’s original charm. Steaks are a speciality here, and all ingredients are locally sourced wherever possible. Menu S: smoked organic scottish salmon with capers, lemon, buttered brown bread; baked field mushrooms stuffed with pancetta, stilton and walnuts. M: rump steak diane; seared tuna nicoise with green beans, new potatoes, tomatoes, black olives and lemon & olive dressing. P: creme brulee; chocolate parfait Price ALC: from £4.50/from approx £9/£4.75. SL/SD: 2 £12.50, 3 £17.50 Wine list Popular classics. HW approx £12.95 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu. Good disabled access & toilet. Most major credit cards.

CAVENDISH AT THE DUKES HOTEL
Dukes Hotel, Great Pulteney St, BA2 4DN
Tel: 01225 787963, web: www.dukesbath.co.uk
Housed in one of the magnificent, Palladian-style Georgian townhouses lining an imposing thoroughfare, the Dukes Hotel is home to the Cavendish, one of the finest fine dining restaurants in Bath. Featuring a secluded patio garden (complete with sparkling fountain and scented roses), this contemporary but genteel dining room is head chef Fran Snell’s playground, where seasonal menus reflect the taste and variety of the very best British produce (using organic, free-range and locally sourced ingredients wherever possible), resulting in an imaginative, tres foodie choice of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes that recently earned him a well-deserved double AA rosette. ‘The Cavendish isn’t a party zone,’ said Venue’s resident duchess. ‘The clientele tend to talk in whispers rather than shrieks. But when the food says so much - and manages to look so beautiful when delivering that discourse, too - what better backdrop could there possibly be?’ Menu S: hand-dived scallops, cauliflower tempura, cauliflower puree and truffle honey; belly of pork, langoustines, squash and apple. M: panfried fillet of sea bass, courgette and cocottes, salsify, artichoke puree; breast of black leg chicken, jambonette of the leg, white bean & truffle puree. P: banana & sesame crumble, banana ripple, hazelnut sabayon; hot chocolate fondant, malted ice-cream Price ALC: £6.95-£9.95/£17.95-£23.95/£6.95-£8.95. Lunch: 2 £12.95, 3 £15.95 Wine list Extensive, comprehensive. HW from £17 btl, £4.50 gls Open Lunch: Fri-Sun 12noon-2.30pm. Dinner: daily 6.30-10pm. Children welcome. Disabled access – call in adv. Major credit cards (not Amex). The smaller, more intimate of the two dining rooms can be reserved for private parties, receptions, business meetings.

CIRCUS CAFE & RESTAURANT
34 Brock St, BA1 2LN
Tel: 01225 466020, web: www.thecircuscafeandrestaurant.co.uk
Stylish contemporary bistro in the heart of Georgian Bath, serving everything from morning coffee and elevenses to lunch, traditional teatime treats and full-on suppertime feasts, all rustled up using intelligently sourced seasonal ingredients, locally produced (wherever possible) and put together with a great deal of integrity. Menu (changes monthly) S: little tart of creamy onions, rosemary, black olives; black pudding with caramelised apple & wholegrain mustard sauce. M: naturally smoked haddock and devon mussels in saffron & leek cream; roast guinea fowl breast on celeriac, turnip & prune gratin. P: steamed marmalade sponge with orange flower custard; banana creme brulee Price ALC: from £4.30/from £9.90/from £3.50 Wine list Very well balanced selection. HW £11.70 btl, £3.30gls Open Mon-Sat 10am-12midnight. Children welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Major credit cards. Private parties welcome - call for details.

GASCOYNE PLACE
1 Sawclose, BA1 1EY
Tel: 01225 445854, web: www.gascoyneplace.co.uk
This tasteful, easygoing cafe-bar/restaurant hybrid caters to a tasteful, easygoing crowd. Stylish, novel design twists proliferate throughout this split-level oasis, where the choice between buzzing lounge, cosy snug, elegant first-floor supper rooms or brasserie-style mezzanine dining is yours. There’s live jazz every Sunday, a legendary Sunday roast and regular dining/wine-tasting events (visit website for details) and, as if all that weren’t enough, this history-laden haven of contemporary merriment is home to one of the most competent, thoughtful kitchens in Bath, too. ‘Gascoyne Place flaunts impeccable credentials on all counts,’ said Venue’s hedonistic harpie when she discovered the multiple joys in place, before going on to award it the full complement of stars. Rumour has it that she’s practically lived there ever since. Menu (changes weekly) S: salad of smoked trout with poached free-range egg, chick peas, pickled shallots, curry dressing; homemade roast pear & bath blue cheese ravioli with pernod sauce. M: fillet of red mullet with king edward potato wedge, sorrel & pineapple salad and red grapefruit dressing; mint & herb crusted rump of Wiltshire lamb with braised chicory, roast beetroot, pomegranate molasses and tangerine syrup. P: banana & mixed berry cheesecake with spiced syrup; sticky date pudding with Baileys ice-cream and butterscotch sauce Price ALC: from £4.95/from £10.95/from £5.50. SL: 1 £8.95, 2 £11.95, 3 £13.95. SD (Mon-Sat 5.30-7.30pm): 2 £14.95, 3 £16.95. Bar menu (11am-10pm) from £6.95 Wine list Extensive, international, very carefully sourced wines (100 labels, 30 available by the glass). HW £12.95 btl, £3.50 gls Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-late, Sun 11.30am-11.30pm (food served 12noon-10pm - last orders). Children welcome – children’s prices on most dishes, chefs can adapt/cook to order. Disabled access possible but not to toilets – call in adv. Major credit cards. Parties welcome, rooms available for private hire – call in adv.

HOLE IN THE WALL
16 George St, BA1 2EN
Tel: 01225 42524, web: www.theholeinthewall.co.uk
Much-loved Bath institution flaunting food that scales modern English heights, all at non-scary prices, with set menu deals making for veritable bargains. Menus are firmly based around fresh West Country produce (everything is made on site including bread and ice-cream), while the excellent, extensive wine list offers over 70 wines, many of them by the glass, from all around the globe. Menu S: pork fillet & black pudding terrine with apricot and pistachio on toasted brioche and mixed leaves; panfried scallops with wilted spinach and homemade chilli jam. M: baked cod steak on crushed new potatoes with mint pea broth and crispy bacon lardons; braised lamb shank with rosemary, garlic and aromatic root vegetables, on parsnip puree with red wine jus. P: chocolate marquis with creme anglaise; sticky toffee pudding with caramel sauce Price ALC: from £4.25/from £10.95/£4.75. SL/SD (Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-7pm (10pm Mon-Wed)): 2 £9.95, 3 £13.95 (10% discount voucher available online) Wine list Extensive. HW from £12.95 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 6.30-9.30pm. Child-friendly during day, less so eves. Wheelchair access, phone ahead. Parties welcome - call for details. Major credit cards (not Amex).

MOON & SIXPENCE
6a Broad St, BA1 5LJ
Tel: 01225 460962, web: www.moonandsixpence.co.uk
Towards the end of summer 2008, the much-loved Moon & Sixpence re-established itself at the heart of the recently revamped Milsom Place complex – and already, it’s as though it never went away. Housed in an old Bath stone warehouse off a cobbled passageway, the new Moon has tripled in size, the newly restored highlights of this stylish location sitting comfortably with modern renovation flourishes. Two separate dining areas (and comfy sofas for pre/post-prandial lounging) merge seamlessly with pavement patios and a glamorous upper-level bar featuring an alfresco terrace all of its own, but the original M&S is still very much in evidence - it’s still an intimate, candlelit experience, big on charm and cleverly retaining a sense of familiarity. ‘Even before you step through the door, the new-look M&S - warm and welcoming in a gloriously unstuffy way - offers a sense of urban sanctuary,’ said Venue’s moon-faced reviewer. Lovely. Menu S: smoked haddock chowder with mussels and leeks; terrine of venison and pistachio with pear & cinnamon chutney. M: fillets of lemon sole with crab mash and lemon butter; loin of lamb with confit tomatoes, parmesan polenta and aubergine caviar. P: homemade ice-cream with meringue sticks and fruit coulis; calvados parfait with caramelised apple cake, apple granita and toffee sauce Price ALC: from £6.95/from £13.95/from £6.25. SL: 2 £11.95 Wine list Extensive. HW from £13.95 btl Open Lunch: daily 12noon-2.30pm. Dinner: Sun-Thur 6-10pm, Fri-Sat 6-10.30pm. Cafe-bar: breakfast 9-11am, full menu 12noon-9.30pm. Children welcome. Wheelchair access, phone ahead. Parties welcome - call for details. Major credit cards (not Amex).

OLIVE TREE
Queensberry Hotel, 4-7 Russel St, BA1 2QF
Tel: 01225 447928, web: www.thequeensberry.co.uk
Winner of Venue’s Top Banana for Best Restaurant in Bath 2008, the Olive Tree is rated highly in global guidebooks while also maintaining a glowing local reputation. Offering broad appeal to contemporary chicsters, Bathonian traditionalists and hip long-weekenders who make the stylish boutique hotel upstairs their regular urban retreat, the restaurant’s location (beneath the discreetly glamorous Queensberry Hotel, just behind the Assembly Rooms) is as elegant as the experience itself. ‘While many of head chef Marc Salmon’s contemporaries are busy extracting aroma of bilberry and presenting it in a test-tube, Salmon leaves your taste-buds to define where the foodie fireworks are rather than battering you over the head with the touch flame,’ our critic reported. ‘The Olive Tree experience can only be described as flawless.’ Looks as though our Top Banana went to an excellent home. Menu S: ham hock, guinea fowl & fois gras terrine with parsnip puree and dried figs; seared scallops, confit jerusalem artichoke, rocket, artichoke chips and balsamic sauce. M: wild sea bass with herb risotto, salsify, trompettes, green beans and balsamic jus; duo of beef with creamed potato, glazed root vegetables and cabernet sauvignon sauce. P: prune & almond tart with floc de gascogne jelly and armagnac ice-cream; chocolate royale mouse with ginger cream, guava coulis and chocolate tuille Price ALC: from £6.25/from £16.25/£7.75. SL: 2 £15, 3 £18. SD (Sun-Thur): 3 £26.50 Wine list Huge, international, regularly updated. HW from approx £15 btl, £3.75/£5.25 gls Open Lunch: Tues-Sun 12noon-2pm. Dinner: daily 7-10pm. Children welcome. Disabled access possible via lift (phone beforehand). Most major credit cards (not Diner’s). Private dining room for hire, up to 35.

NEW
RIVER COTTAGE CANTEEN AT KOMEDIA
22-23 Westgate St, BA1 1EP
Tel: 0845 293 8480, web: www.komedia.co.uk/bath
Following on from the great success of the River Cottage Canteen in Axminster, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall comes to town, in partnership with that lovely, lively oasis of hedonism that is Komedia. Menus will revolve around a strictly seasonal/locally sourced ethos and everything will be freshly cooked on site: expect contemporary treats alongside old favourites originally created by Hugh and his team. Menu/Price/Wine list/Open Unavailable at time of going to press. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome, set menus for large groups can be arranged.

SALLY LUNN’S
4 North Parade Passage, BA1 1NX
Tel: 01225 461634, web: www.sallylunns.co.uk
Located in the oldest house in Bath (built in 1482) and named after the Huguenot refugee who baked here some 200 years later during the building’s bakery incarnation, Sally Lunn’s is one of Bath’s major tourist hotspots. The good lady’s buns (enjoyed today with sweet and savoury accompaniments) are served up alongside historic English (and a bit of French) cuisine. Ms Lunn’s is also very popular for afternoon tea, a quintessentially English experience that graciously gives way to candlelit dinners later on. Don’t be put off by the crowds - inside, it’s much bigger than it looks. Menu S: smoked haddock chowder with quarter of a Sally Lunn bun; lemon prawn cocktail. M: loin of pork in creamy mushroom, bacon, sherry & tarragon sauce; coq au vin on a ‘trenchered’ Sally Lunn bun. P: apple pie; warm treacle tart Price ALC: from approx £4/from approx £8/from £4. Afternoon tea from approx £6. SD (5-7pm): 2 plus gls of house wine £10 Wine list HW approx £11btl, £2.60 gls Open Mon-Thur 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm. Children welcome, highchairs. Disabled access difficult as this is a listed building, but staff try to be as helpful as possible. Major credit cards. Parties of 20+, pre-book.

THEATRE VAULTS RESTAURANT
Sawclose, BA1 1EY
Tel: 01225 442265, theatre: 01225 448844
Atmospheric thesp hangout in a vaulted cellar beneath the Theatre Royal. Cosy and elegant with a relaxing ambience, the general style is English with a touch of the Med, and seasonal menus incorporate the freshest ingredients. Menu/Price Changes monthly – call for current details and prices Wine list Cosmopolitan, from £14.50 btl Open Call theatre for current details - opening hours fluctuate according to theatre programme/events, but generally pre-matinee lunch & 5.30-7.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access difficult but possible. Major credit cards. Can cater for parties of up to 40.

WALRUS & CARPENTER
28 Barton St, BA1 1HH
Tel: 01225 314864, web: www.thewallybath.co.uk
This popular Bath institution was established back in 1973, when Toast Toppers constituted a square meal and prawn cocktail represented the height of sophistication. But the Wally based menus on locally sourced, free-range, organic ingredients with an emphasis on wallet-friendly crowd-pleasers and a hearty dollop of conviviality - principles that hold even stronger significance over three decades later. Inside, several cosy, charmingly eclectic dining areas offer instant cheer, intimate in a classic French brasserie way (candlelight, chequered tablecloths, interesting prints on the walls), and a straightforward, sturdy menu selection matches the initial vibe. ‘There’s clearly a big dollop of integrity at the heart of the matter here,’ said Venue’s reviewer, who was also delighted to learn that Wally’s legendary homemade burgers are now available to take away. Branch in Bristol, too. Menu S: blue cheese & avocado pate with toast; garlic mushrooms. M: homemade organic chilli con carne; walrus seafood bake. P: Big Bertha’s banana cake; homemade chocolate saint emilion Price ALC: from £4.95/from £9.95)/from £5.35 Wine list International, lots of new world. HW from approx £13 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm, Sun 12noon-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access possible – call in adv. Major credit cards. Parties catered for, up to 20.

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