World & Pacific Fusion

Bristol

CAFE CEITURICA
277 North St, Southville, BS3 1JP
Tel: 0117 966 6880, web: www.eatdrinkrelax.co.uk
Ceiturica - a Persian phrase which loosely translates as ‘How are you doing, mate?’ – is an intrinsic part of the Southville scene, open seven days a week, serving an excellent selection of all-day breakfasts (well, till 6pm at least) including English, Irish and continental varieties. Lunches are pretty special, too - favourites include Thai fish cakes with chilli jam and North African chicken tagine - but this bright, buzzy cafe by day turns into a cosy candlelit restaurant by night; when the sun goes down, exotic and informal dinners are the order of the day. Menu S: fish mezze; wild boar, apricot & pistachio terrine with red onion & cassis marmalade, toasted sourdough, pickles; stuffed vine leaves. M: chargrilled lamb brochettes with merguez couscous, harissa, tzatziki and sumac; panfried salmon with crushed herby new potatoes, black olive tapenade, sweet red pepper & cherry tomato fondue, lemon oil; roasted chicken breast stuffed with mature cheddar, wrapped in smoked bacon, with creamy mash and red wine & rosemary jus; persian lamb hotpot. P: turkish delight cheesecake; date & walnut sticky pudding with date syrup and tahini ice-cream; pistachio & almond baklava Price ALC: from £3.95/from £6.55/from £3.95. Mezze: 3 for £6.50. Breakfast from £2.50 Wine list Good selection from around the globe. HW approx £12 btl. Beers/lagers, etc (inc Moroccan) Open Daily 8am-10.30pm. Children welcome, menu easily adaptable. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties of up to 20 welcome.

NEW
GIRAFFE
Unit SU78, Glass House, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX
Tel: 0117 930 0603, web: www.giraffe.net
World food with an unusual twist, like banana & blueberry pancakes, and firecracker chicken with mushrooms, greens, pineapple, chilli sambal and noodles. Great breakfast options; check website for their latest set-lunch offers and other dining deals. Lots of children’s activities. Menu S: cajun spiced chicken wings, fried chicken dumplings with soy & chilli dip. M: hot thai duck stirfry; tangy & spiced turkey enchiladas; baby back BBQ ribs. P: chocolate chunk brownie; banana waffle split Price ALC: £2.25-£6.95/£6.95-£14.95/£3.95-£5.50 Wine list Good selection of world wines from £13.25 btl, £2.65 gls. Large cocktail selection Open Mon-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm, Sun 10am-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access (lift to food court). Major credit cards.

RACKS BAR & KITCHEN
St Pauls Rd, Clifton, BS8 1LX
Tel: 0117 974 1626, web: www.racks-bristol.co.uk
Long-established, friendly, cosmopolitan Clifton venue, warmly regarded for creating an atmosphere where people can relax and enjoy anything from a pint and a steak sandwich to a full-on foodie blow-out. Excellent breakfasts (inc veggie) at weekends, and snackish offerings of the salad/wrap/homemade burger variety all week long, with long, late, lazy lunches served till 5pm daily. Big screen for sporting events (especially rugby), famous New Year’s Eve parties, and barbecues on the terrace when weather permits. Alfresco dining, too, with heated patio, and a small, dedicated kids’ menu. Menu S: homemade soup of the day; panfried duck breast with noodles, roast hazelnuts, port jelly. M: homemade salmon fishcakes with creamy leek & dill sauce; slow-roasted rosemary & garlic lamb shank with wholegrain mustard glaze, on bed of champ with seasonal vegetables and red wine gravy. P: lemon meringue pie with raspberry coulis; pancake apple pie with lemon cream Price Light bites from £4.75/main £8.50-£16.50/dessert 4.95-£7.50. Sun roast £7.95 (booking advised) Wine list Good international range, beers, full bar. HW from £13.50 btl, £3.75 gls Open Breakfast Mon-Sat 7-10am, Sun 8-10am. Other food served daily 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome. Disabled access – call in adv. Major credit cards (not Amex, Diner’s). Parties of up to 120 in private function room, special menu provided.

RUCOLA
59 Apsley Rd, Clifton, BS8 2SW
Tel: 0117 973 4892, web: www.eatdrinkrelax.co.uk
Sister to Southville’s Cafe Ceiturica, with a strong family resemblance showing up in the laidback atmosphere, sumptuous menus and cheery welcome. Lush all-day breakfasts, groovy lunches and splendid early suppers are the orders of the day here, alongside an excellent wine list, vegetarian options and plenty to keep the kids happy. The all-weather terrace is popular all year round. Menu S: provencal fish soup with rouille, gruyere, croutons. M: mezze: olives, hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, stuffed vine leaves, tabouleh, flat breads, yogurt & mint dip; chargrilled chicken satay skewers with peanut dipping sauce, thai cucumber salad and fragrant coconut rice. P: pistachio & almond baklava; turkish delight cheesecake Price Breakfast from £2.50. ALC: from £3.50/from £6.95/from £3.95 Wine list International. HW approx £12 btl Open Daily 9am-9pm (last orders 7.30pm). Children welcome (own menu). Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties call in adv.

NEW
SASPARILLA
65 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2LY
Tel: 0117 973 0574, web: www.henry-africas.co.uk
Cocktail lounge and restaurant that will be familiar to all who remember its former incarnation as Henry Africa’s. The food’s not a million miles away from the original version either, relying heavily on crowd-pleasing Tex-Mex flavours. The major difference is that Sasparilla is marketing itself as a sleek, stylish and comfortable cocktail bar, lounge and restaurant which, they claim, has Bristol’s most extensive cocktail menu. Menu S: nachos; quesadillas (triple-decked grilled tortillas filled with salsa, pico de gallo and cheese, with sour cream and guacamole). M: fajitas; burgers; ribs and sharing platters; blackened catfish, panfried and coated in cajun spices, with creole sauce, spicy rice and sweet potatoes. P: lemon cheesecake; hot fudge sundae Price ALC: from £4.50/from £6/from £3.50. Happy hour offers Tue-Sat 5-7pm, Sun-Mon all day Wine list Extensive. HW from approx £12 btl. Huge range of cocktails, inc non-alcoholic Open Daily from 12noon. Major credit cards. Parties catered for.

NEW
STUDIO ONE AT CINEMA DE LUX
Showcase Cinema de Lux, Glass House, Cabot Circus BS1 3BX
Tel: 0117 910 0091, web: www.cinemadelux.co.uk
Restaurant and bar set within Cinema de Lux, offering an internationally inspired menu, children’s menu and full-service bar. Menu S: prawn & crab bisque; tai fishcakes; duck spring rolls. M: grilled chicken salad; rib-eye steak; chilli corn carne. P: lemon & lime cheesecake; fudge cake Price ALC: from £3.50/from £6.95/from £4.25 Wine list HW from £10.95 btl, £2.75 gls Open Restaurant: Sun-Thur 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12midnight. Bar: Sun-Thur 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12.30am. Children welcome (own menu). Disabled access (via lift). Major credit cards. Parties welcome - call in adv.

Bath

BATHTUB BISTRO
2 Grove St, BA2 6PJ
Tel: 01225 460593, web: www.thebathtubbistro.co.uk
This long-standing Bath institution is now under new ownership, but the initial charms of the old BB - the big window that allows an inviting peek into a lived-in, grown-up doll’s house; the split-level, multi-mood dining areas - have been retained (albeit thoroughly scrubbed up and revitalised). The welcome - genuinely warm but not overbearingly eager to please - adds to the ambience, and menus feature an accessible selection of modern/trad-Brit fare. ‘The overall Bathtub experience is at once soothing and uplifting,’ said Venue’s reviewer. Menu S: chicken meatballs in sweet & sour sauce; prawn cocktail. M: slow-roasted belly pork with mustard mash; herb-crusted red snapper fillet. P: sticky toffee pudding; proper Cornish ice-cream Price ALC: from £4/from £8.50/from £4.50 Wine list HW from £11.50 btl (BYO option Mon-Tue eves) Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 5.30-10.30pm Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards (not Diner’s).

CLARKE’S RESTAURANT & CHAZZ BAR
7 Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 444440, web: www.clarkesbath.co.uk
A bright and breezy affair, decorated with stylish flourishes (lots of stripped wood, crisp table settings and fresh greenery). Service is confident and friendly, courtesy of well-informed staff who are keen to help you make your choice from a menu that ranges from modern English trad to pan-Asian exotica, and an extensive wine list that includes an exclusive ‘own label’ selection and some very special grand and premier crus. Upstairs, you’ll find the Chazz Bar, where cocktails are a speciality, served in elegantly understated luxury and almost decadent comfort: small but perfectly formed, low-lit and cushion-strewn, with nothing frantic or bustly to distract from the feeling that you’re at one of the hippest private house parties in the city. Sun brunch/lunch is a thoroughly laidback affair, ranging from buttermilk pancakes and eggs benedict to full roast dinners, and ‘something a bit special’ on rugby days. Menu S: chicken waldorf salad; homemade fresh scottish salmon and atlantic fish cakes. M: slow-braised shin of beef in rioja jus, with horseradish mash; panfried sea bass on bed of sauteed jersey royals, red onion, roasted peppers, capers, anchovies, rocket and lemon jus. P: chocolate sponge with warm dark chocolate centre, with creme anglaise and ice-cream; homemade lemon tart Price ALC: from £4.50/from approx £10.95/from £5.25. SL (Mon-Fri): 2 £8.95, 3 £10.95 Wine list Spectacular, inc own label and vintage. HW approx £15.75 btl, £4 gls Open Restaurant: Tue-Thur 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-9.30pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-10.30pm, Sun brunch/lunch 12noon-3pm. Chazz Bar: Fri-Sat 7-11pm. Children welcome, own menu. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Parties up to 30 max, private downstairs dining room (with alfresco courtyard), whole bar available for private hire.

RIVERSIDE
17 Argyle St (below Pulteney Bridge), BA2 4BQ
Tel: 01225 480532, web: www.riversidecafebath.co.uk
This charming cafe-bar in a unique location right on Pulteney Weir serves fabulous breakfasts, sturdy, homecooked lunches (including their own legendary burgers and an excellent array of fresh salads) and, during summertime, thoughtfully eclectic suppers on a modern British/Mediterranean/global theme. ‘The Riverside is the ultimate spring/summer sanctuary for all,’ said Venue’s mouthy landlubber. ‘Totally lovely.’ Fish arrives fresh from St Mawes daily and all food is freshly prepared using fine local produce. Tables on the pavement offer gorgeous weir views. Menu S: moules marinieres in white wine, cream, garlic and parsley, with granary bread; goat’s cheese & roasted pepper bruschetta with reduced balsamic vinegar. M: traditional moroccan lamb, chickpea & apricot tagine, with couscous and yogurt coriander dressing; sweet potato pancakes stacked with broad beans, peas, artichokes and spinach in tomato cream sauce. P: daily homemade specials Price Eve ALC from approx £5.50/from approx £8.90/from approx £4.75 Wine list Thoughtful, well-chosen. HW approx. £11.95 btl Open Mon-Sat 9am-5.30pm (March-Oct till 10pm). Children welcome. Disabled access very limited. Major credit cards (not Diner’s).

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