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English

Bristol

NEW
2 ROOMS
112 Princess Victoria St, Clifton, BS8 4BB
Tel: 0117 973 3669
Maria Scialacomo, chef and owner, presides over the kitchen of this smart, contemporary bistro. Serving modern European cooking in an intimate yet spacious setting, the relaxed atmosphere is akin to dining at the home of a close friend. Plenty of daily specials to choose from, fresh fish daily and an extensive wine list. Menu S: pan-fried tiger prawns with a lemon, white wine, ginger and garlic sauce; caramelised red onion and goat’s cheese bruschetta with a tomato salsa. M: pan-fried sea bass with a pea and potato mash, roasted cherry tomatoes and a chilli and herb butter; fillet steak with hand-cut chips, wild mushroom sauce and mixed leaves. P: sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce and vanilla ice-cream; apple tart tatin with raspberry coulis and vanilla ice-cream Price ALC: from £4.50/from £10/from approx £4.50. Call ahead for SL/SD and seasonal menu deals Wine list HW £14.50 btl Open Fri-Sat 10am-5pm for brunch and lunch, Sun 10am-3pm (brunch and lunch), Tue-Sat 7pm-late (last orders 10pm). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards accepted. Parties welcome (call in advance). IDC: 25% off bill.

NEW
BIBA’S LOUNGE
51 Welsh Back, BS1 4AN
Tel: 0117 376 3636, web: www.bibaslounge.co.uk
Named and styled after London’s long-gone department store and its Rainbow Room restaurant which, in its heyday, was one of the hippest nightspots in the capital, the designers have caught the retro art deco vibe nicely, factoring in a couple of displays of original Biba memorabilia for 70s aficionados. There’s even a resident pianist and classic movies on show to add to the ambience. The menu offers a mix of food styles, including old school staples like prawn cocktail and peppered steak, a smattering of French and Mediterranean dishes, and the occasional Eastern delight. Menu S: Thai-style pork and prawn won ton stack; smoked salmon crostini. M: roast rack of Somerset lamb; satay chicken supreme. P: Baileys and Maltesers cheesecake; Biba’s chocolate bourbon cream Price ALC: from £4.50/from £10/from £4. SL: Express Lunch Menu (Mon-Fri only) offers a selection of items at £5 each, with an option of dessert for an additional £2.50. Sunday lunch also available. For more information on food, drinks and entertainment, visit the website Wine list HW £14 btl, £3.80 gls. Mumm champagne available by the bottle at £40 and by the glass at £10 Open Mon-Thur 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12midnight, Sun 12noon-7pm. All major credit cards accepted. Disabled Access. IDC: 25% off bill.

NEW
THE BENTLEY CAFÉ AND 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 last summer, 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. They’re trying to obtain a late licence to allow them to open in the evening, so check their website from June as opening hours could change. Dine surrounded by some of the best contemporary art. Menu Blue cheese fondue with walnut toast, baked pear and red onion jam; crispy pork belly with potato and apple rosti and black pudding. Price Breakfast around £5-£7, lunch approx £9-£10, with some smaller dishes starting at £5 Open Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm. Disabled access. Corporate and private functions catered for.

NEW
THE BIG BANG
46 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, BS8 2NH
Tel: 0117 923 9212, web: www.thebig
bangrestaurants.co.uk
On the site of what was for many years Hullaballoos, this is the second Big Bang (there’s been one in Oxford for a couple of years now). The Big Bang champions British food: the menu has faggots, an array of sausage & mash dishes and traditional puds, with everything possible sourced locally. That means supporting a network of local suppliers, reducing food miles and cutting carbon emissions. It’s an ethos that seems to be working: their sausage & mash was voted the best in the UK by Restaurant Magazine in 2005, and Big Bang was a finalist in The Top 10 Dishes in Britain Awards 2007. Live jazz and blues alternate Wednesday evenings, and Sunday afternoon sees the Reel Sunday Roast, with classic movies screened while you dine. Menu S: soup of the day; chicken liver and smoked bacon pate with toasted focaccia. M: the Bristol sausage (pork, apple and cider) with creamed mash & stilton gravy; homemade lamb and mint pie. P: pear and almond sponge with clotted cream; homemade crumble of the day with custard Price From £4.95/from £8.99/from £4.25 Wine list International, some British. HW £14 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-11pm, Sun 12noon-3pm & 6-10.30pm. Limited disabled access (stairs to toilet). Most major credit cards. IDC: 25% off bill. PC: 2-4-1 on mains Mon-Fri, complimentary glass of wine at weekends.

BROWNS
38 Queens Rd, BS8 1RE
Tel: 0117 930 4777, fax: 0117 930 4300, web: www.browns-restaurants.com
This long-standing British café bar/restaurant institution (established way back in 1973) welcomes all. The menus, with food served all day from breakfast through until 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, making it perfect for people-watching while you scoff and quaff. Separate set menus available for larger groups and for children. Menu S: pan-fried black pearl scallops with watercress, puy lentils and a lobster sauce; grilled Cornish goat’s cheese with green leaves, figs and hazelnuts. M: duck confit with sweet cherries, mashed potato and French beans; rack of lamb with a redcurrant jus, dauphinoise potatoes and sprouting broccoli. P: pannacotta with caramelised oranges; sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce & clotted cream Price ALC: from £4/from £7.95/from £4. Sunday roast £9.95, bar snacks and afternoon tea also available. Special deals on pre-theatre and group menus Wine list Extensive. Superb range of bottled and draught beers, cocktails. HW: £12 btl, £3.10 gls Open Mon-Wed 10am-11pm, Thur-Sat 10am-12midnight, Sun 11am-10.30pm. Children welcome. Good disabled access & toilet. Most major credit cards.

THE CARVERY CO.
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 and chips, pies, salads, jacket potatoes and a selection of 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: liver pate; prawn cocktail. M: Carvery roast; homemade cottage pie. P: strawberry sundae; homemade apple pie; chocolate sponge pudding Price From £2.95/Carvery roast £7.95/from £6.95/from £2.45. SL: Carvery roast £4.95 Mon-Fri 11.30am-5pm Wine list Wide selection, plus beers, spirits, cocktails etc. HW: £9.95 btl, £2.45/£3.25 gls. Open Daily 11am-late. Children welcome (own menu). Major credit cards. Disabled access. Parties 20+ welcome – call in adv.

CLIFTON SAUSAGE
7-9 Portland St, Clifton, BS8 4JA
Tel: 0117 973 1192, fax: 0117 970 6517, email: info@cliftonsausage.co.uk, web: www.cliftonsausage.co.uk
Situated 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 such as steamed mussels in cider, new season lamb, local game and for a great choice for pudding lovers, it seems that British cuisine is receiving the celebratory treatment it deserves. Menu S: Cornish scallops baked in their shells, with a dill and lime mustard dressing; duck liver parfait with red onion relish and melba toast, served with a leaf salad and horseradish. M: Clifton Sausage tasting plate (Clifton, old spot, lamb and beef sausages) with parsnip crisps; roast old spot belly pork in cider and allspice with spring greens and mustard mash. P: hot chocolate fondant with pistachio crisp and pistachio ice-cream; glazed orange and lemon tart with crème fraiche. Price ALC: from £5/from £9.50/from £5. Sunday lunch (includes sturdy roast options alongside veg, fish and, naturally, sausage alternatives): 2 £12.50, 3 £14.50 Wine list Impressive, magnificent. HW from approx £13.50 btl, £3.50 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.

COLLEY’S SUPPER ROOMS
153 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, BS8 2RF
Tel: 0117 973 0646, web: www.colleyssupperrooms.co.uk
Utterly unique dining experience. At Colley’s dishes are displayed at your table before you make your choice rather than on any written menu, and the restaurant oozes Edwardian ambience, with plush velvet decor and sumptuous six-course meals. There is only one sitting each evening, which means your meal can be enjoyed in a leisurely fashion and, after an evening at this refreshingly unrushed, genuinely unforgettable establishment, Venue’s food ed awarded lots of stars for ‘experience’, having savoured a ‘splendid feast’. Menus change fortnightly: the following examples are a guideline only. Menu Fresh hors d’oeuvres (salads, pates, soup). S: stilton & walnut pate with melba toast; cauliflower and thyme soup. M: cod fillet topped with a fennel and anchovy crust, with mash potato and lemon & dill butter; roast chicken breast filled with cheese and garlic, served with a bacon and tarragon cream sauce and sautéed potatoes. P: bread & butter pudding with custard or cream; chocolate praline tart Price Mon-Thur four-course supper £24.50pp; Fri-Sat six-course supper £28.95pp; Sun lunch four courses £17.95pp (children £8.95) Wine list Extensive choice of New World and European, from approx £14 btl. Good ports, brandies, liqueurs Open Mon-Sat 7.30pm for 7.45pm sitting, Sun 12.30pm for 12.45pm sitting. Children welcome for lunch. Disabled access, but no toilet. Most credit cards (not Amex or Diner’s). Private hire rooms available – please call for details.

ELLIPSE RESTAURANT & BAR
AT THE MERCURE BRIGSTOW
HOTEL
5-7 Welsh Back, BS1 4SP
Tel: 0117 929 1030
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 and Cornish smoked halibut with julienne of sweet and sour cucumber; smoked south coast mackerel pâté with a plum tomato and red onion marmalade. M: roasted rack of English spring lamb with roasted garlic and honey jus with fondant potatoes; Forest of Dean corn-fed breast of chicken on a sauté of oyster mushrooms and flat leaf parsley. P: cherry parfait with chocolate shortbread; iced rhubarb soufflé. 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 and 6-10pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties welcome - please call in adv. Tel: 0117 906 9970. IDC: 25% off bill. PC: 25% off bill.

NEW
Gala Casino Bristol Harbourside
Explore Lane, BS1 5TY
Tel: 0117 906 9970, web: www.galacasino.co.uk
Stylish, ultra-modern chargrill restaurant located on the Casino’s upper level, resulting in a smart, sophisticated location to enjoy a meal with friends, overlooking Bristol’s glorious harbour. The restaurant specialises in grills, with premium quality aged Scottish steaks chargrilled just that way you like them plus all-day breakfasts, excellent burgers, great fish, pasta dishes, salads and authentic curries if you fancy something hot and spicy. For pre- or 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 and sun-dried tomato tart; lamb tagine with cous cous; 16oz Scottish T-bone steak. P: bramley apple, sultana and cinnamon pie; chocolate fudge cake Price ALC: from £2.25/from £5.95/from £3.25. SD: Sunset menu £9.95 for two courses, £11.95 for three (seated before 8pm) Wine list Extensive, international. HW £9.95 btl, £2.60 gls Open 24 hours, food served 12noon-3am. IDC: 25% off bill.

Greens’ Dining Room
25 Zetland Rd, BS6 7AH
Tel: 0117 924 6437
Lovely family-run, cosy, neighbourhood bistro, serving up top-notch fare – just as you’d expect from two ex-Glass Boat/riverstation chefs. ‘This place positively screams pedigree,’ yelled Venue’s food and drink editor. ‘The lighting is soft, the staff are nice and smiley, and the menu turns out to be a good mission statement of relative simplicity – outstanding stuff avoiding unnecessarily over-complicated combinations but throwing up some imaginative, solidly cooked dishes that should find no difficulty in reaching an appreciative audience.’ I think it’s safe to say he really liked it, then - no wonder he awarded it loads of stars. Weekends see a more leisurely brunch available, with children’s meals and a traditional Sunday roast. Menu S: chick pea and chorizo broth with salsa verde; chicken and morel terrine, toast and chutney. M: baby artichoke risotto with vine tomato and mint dressing; whole roasted wood pigeon with celeriac, chilli and thyme. P: blood orange and raspberry trifle; steamed cherry pudding and custard 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 £11.95 btl, £3.50 gls, seven or eight by gls/small carafe Open Tue-Sun 12.30-3pm, Tue-Sat 6.30-10.30pm (last orders). Children welcome. Disabled access but not to toilets. Major credit cards. Parties welcome, call in adv.

NEW
JACKS 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 which focus on seasonal produce from local suppliers. The kitchen team, headed by chef Ross Wills, produce an array of classics and modern dishes, with a selection of roasts from their charcoal oven. The wine list features a selection of 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. The bar is open all day for coffee, light bites, afternoon tea, and an extensive range of beer, spirits and soft drinks, and the early evening menu, at £8.85 for a main course with a beer or glass of wine, is a great value option. This year will see a second Jacks debut, in nearby Portishead. Menu S: chargrilled pigeon breast with braised puy lentils, bacon and madeira jus; butternut squash ravioli with sage butter & shaved parmesan. M: peppered tuna steak with spring greens, red wine and star anise sauce; rare roast duck breast with hot pot potatoes, spinach and rosemary sauce. P: coconut tart with passion fruit mascarpone; dark chocolate mocha cake with raspberries and crème fraiche Price ALC: from £4/from £10.50. SL: £10.50 for two courses, £14.50 for three Wine list Extensive, international. HW from £13.75 btl Open 10am-12midnight Mon-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun.

QUEEN SQUARE DINING ROOM
& BAR
63 Queen Square, BS1 4JZ
Tel: 0117 929 0700, email: info@queen-square.com,
web: www.queen-square.com
This relaxed bar-brasserie offers informal dining and drinking in a friendly atmosphere. Modern English classics proliferate on the menu, which changes daily according to locally sourced, seasonal produce, all perfectly complemented by an informative, imaginative and well-chosen wine list and bar. A good value set menu is available early evening (6-7pm) and there’s a bar menu available at lunchtimes and evenings, with classic homemade dishes including fish & chips, burgers and fishcakes (all the menus updated daily on the website). ‘Equally suitable for impressing your partner, sealing a deal or just general schmoozing, this place is right up there with many of Bristol’s best restaurants,’ said Venue’s food and drink editor, before concluding that ‘The Queen rules’ and awarding them 13 out of a total of 15 stars. Menu S: day boat squid, smoked paprika, chick peas, roast peppers, lemon dressing; belly pork terrine, Yorkshire rhubarb, ginger brioche. M: 35-day-aged rib-eye of beef, café du paris butter, parsley & garlic chips; breast of guinea fowl, roast leg ragout, parmesan polenta, young carrots. P: sticky toffee pudding, vanilla ice-cream and lemon; chocolate tart, crème fraiche ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £5/from £10.50/from £4.50. EEM: 2 £12, 3 £16 (served Tue-Fri between 6-7pm). Sunday lunch £12.50 Wine list Extensive range of wines, beers, etc. HW: £12.90 btl Open Mon 10am-9pm (lunch only), Tue-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 5-11pm (lunch served 12noon-2.30pm, dinner 6-10pm), Sun 12noon-4pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Groups and parties welcome, call in adv. IDC: 25% off bill.

THE RIVER
1 The Watershed, Canons Rd, BS1 5UH
Tel: 0117 930 0498, email: info@theriverbristol.com, web: www.theriverbristol.com
Traditional homemade English cuisine right on the city’s glorious waterfront – it’s laid-back and distinctly family-friendly during the day, lively at night and rammed to the rafters at weekends, but 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 and Lincolnshire-style vegetarian) served with a choice from three types of mash and gravy combinations; mixed seafood, lemon & herb risotto with warm ciabatta bread. P: cheesecake; white chocolate and 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, high chairs. Major credit cards. Parties of 20+. PC: 15% off bar tab.

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. See Bath listing for menu details. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm, Sun 12noon-11pm. Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties catered for, call in advance. IDC: 25% off bill.

Bath

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 BB is always a popular destination, while the tranquil surroundings and homemade quality fare (including an extravagant specials board and a spiffing Sunday lunch) turn it into a beloved gem. A Venue reviewer recently 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, before declaring his food to be a five-star experience. 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: fresh homemade soup (always vegetarian); oak-smoked salmon, spinach & horseradish roulade. M: roast lamb chump chop with rosemary sauce & mint mash; roast haddock in oats with carrot puree & damson chilli sauce. P: apple, ginger & cinnamon crumble; chocolate & orange brownie with chocolate sauce Price ALC: from £3.95/from £10.95/from £3.75. Sunday lunch 2 £13.50, 3 £16.50 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 holiday Mondays. 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 to full-on feasts, including a Sunday carvery that’s sturdy enough to keep you afloat until Tuesday. If the food/location moves you to propose to your loved one, they conveniently stage unforgettable wedding functions here too. Menu S: duck & fig paté with roasted onion compote served with crusty bread & mixed leaves; sea bass, lime & ginger fishcake served with a tomato, lime & coriander salsa. M: grilled Glamorgan sweetcured pork loin marinated in herbs, chargrilled & served with Orchard Gold cider, caramelised apple & cream sauce; pecorino & asparagus ravioli served with a tomato, garlic, olive oil & basil sauce with rocket. P: hot chocolate fondant; sticky toffee pudding Price ALC: from £3.95/from £7.95/from £4.25. Sunday carvery (12noon-4pm) £7.95 Wine list Well-stocked bar. HW:approx £11 btl Open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. 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, creating a timelessly stylish environment in which to enjoy yourself. Good-value lunch/dinner deals, and great-value cocktail happy hour. Menu, wine list, prices See Bristol listing for details Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu. Good disabled access & toilet. Most major credit cards.

CAVENDISH @ THE DUKES HOTEL
Great Pulteney St, BA2 4DN
Tel: 01225 787960, 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, très foodie choice of meat, seafood and vegetarian dishes that recently earned him a well-deserved triple AA Rosette. ‘The Cavendish is not about high drama,’ said our awestruck Venue reviewer. ‘The highlights - of which there are many - are swathed in subtlety. Snell lights the touch flame for gourmet fireworks and the resulting spectacle is a graceful, genteel display… yup, fit for a Duchess.’ Menu S: squab pigeon, beetroot jelly, pearl barley risotto, braised leg; seared diver scallops, celeriac & truffle, apple & cress. M: roast Wiltshire venison, sprouts & bacon, sage foam, red wine sauce; line-caught sea bass, fennel, crab tortellini. P: iced apple & liquorice parfait, organic cider jelly, calvados sabayon; rhubarb cannelloni, rhubarb jelly, rhubarb & custard ice-cream Price ALC: from approx £8/from approx £16 /from approx £7. Sunday lunch/SL/SD: call hotel for details Wine list Extensive, comprehensive. HW: £15.50/£16.50 btl, £3.75/£4.25 gls Open Mon-Sun lunch & dinner (please call hotel for details). Children welcome. Disabled access – call in advance. Major credit cards (not Amex). The smaller, more intimate of the two dining rooms can be reserved for private parties, receptions or business meetings. IDC: CMC.

NEW
THE CIRCUS CAFÉ & RESTAURANT
34 Brock St. BA1 2LN
Tel: 01225 466020, web: www.thecircuscafeandrestaurant.co.uk
Stylish, easy-going all-day eaterie in the heart of Georgian Bath, recently refurbished to contemporary but cosy standards. Morning coffee, elevenses, lunch, treats (including a marvellous teatime menu) and full-on suppertime feasts are all rustled up using intelligently sourced seasonal ingredients, locally produced (wherever possible) and put together with a great deal of integrity. Recent new kid on the Circus block Nicolas Cage has already been spotted enjoying afternoon tea here. If it’s good enough for him, etc… Menu (changes very regularly) S: duck liver parfait with toasted fruit bread; sustainable fish soup with anchovy toasts. M: wild mushroom and cheddar cheese muffins served with leek cream; chargrilled rib-eye steak with homemade fat chips & aioli. P: dark chocolate & salted peanut caramel tart with cream; rhubarb crème brulee Price from £5/from £9/from £3.50 Wine list Very well balanced selection. HW: £11.70 btl, £3.20gls Open Mon-Sat 10am-11.30pm. Children welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Major credit cards. Private parties welcome - call for details.

NEW
BRAMLEYS
25 Claverton Buildings, Widcombe, BA2 4LD
Tel: 01225 338007; web: www.bramleysbath.co.uk
This effortlessly chic little restaurant – around 35 neatly dressed, uncluttered covers, all clean lines and understated, design-led touches – is a literal breath of fresh air. The menus state the kitchen’s ethos – fresh, local, seasonal – without any wordy mission statements making huge, worthy statements. The selection comes in a neat formation covering all bases (fish, fowl, flesh, game and veggie), with all main courses circa £13 – and, joy of joys, no heftily priced side dishes. ‘The Bramleys menus alone are an oasis of tranquillity,’ said our apple-cheeked reviewer, before going on to award a five-star accolade. ‘Bramleys may be a new kid in the crop, but already, classic hardy perennial status is assured.’ Menu S: smoked salmon topped with warm crab cake; seared scallops on pea & mint puree with crispy bacon. M: sea bass with citrus-infused cherry tomatoes and potato puree; rib-eye steak with horseradish potato cake, wild mushrooms and red wine sauce. P: bramley apple trio (crumble, tart & sorbet, apple liqueur optional); homemade cheesecake Price ALC: from £5.50/from £12.95/from £5 Wine list HW: (French) £12.95 btl. Open Tue-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10pm, Sat 6-10pm. Children welcome (own menu). 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, easy-going café bar/restaurant hybrid (Venue’s ‘Bath Restaurant of the Year’ 2007) caters to a tasteful, easy-going 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 balcony dining is yours. There’s live jazz every Sunday, a legendary Sunday roast, the burgers on the bar menu are top notch and, as if all that isn’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 S: lamb sweetbreads with roast garlic mash, spinach & crispy fried onion; pan seared scallops with parsley & mint puree topped with lumpfish caviar. M: Keynsham lamb shank with mixed herb polenta & thyme jus; roulade of curly kale, portabello mushrooms, roast tomato & mascarpone in filo pastry with a grilled artichoke salad. P: baked white chocolate cheesecake with berry compote; warm chocolate pudding with chocolate syrup Price ALC from £6.95/from £10.95/from £5.50. SD Mon-Sat 5.30-7.30pm 2 £14.95, 3 £16.95. Bar menu (11am-10pm) from £6.95 Wine list Extensive, international range of very carefully sourced wines (around 90 labels, 30 available by the glass) HW £13.95 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2am (maximum, generally earlier in the week), Sun 12noon-11pm. 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 – please 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/fax: 01225 42524, web: www.theholeinthewall.co.uk
A much-loved Bath institution with an ambience that croons affability and menus that scale 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 poached william pears with stilton & walnut salad; steamed River Exe mussels with sweet chilli jam & fresh basil. M: braised lamb shank with garlic, rosemary & red wine on creamed parsnip puree; poached fillet of salmon on chive mash with hazelnut & coriander butter. P: sticky toffee pudding; passionfruit creme brulee Price 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: £12.95 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-10pm, Sun 6.30-9.30pm. Child-friendly during day, less so evenings. Wheelchair access, phone ahead. Parties welcome - call for details. Major credit cards (not Amex). IDC: CMC. PC: Cardholders & up to 3 guests receive 25% off total bill (Sun-Fri) & 15% off total bill Sat.

COMING SOON
MOON & SIXPENCE
6a Broad St, BA1 5LJ
Tel: 01225 460962, web: www.moonandsixpence.co.uk
Big changes are under way at this gorgeous café bar/restaurant - one of the city’s better-kept secrets, housed in an old Bath stone warehouse off a cobbled passageway – at the time of going to press. Due to reopen during summer ‘08 as part of the spruced-up Milsom Place shopping complex (keep an eye on Venue’s Food & Drink pages for regular updates), expect more space, even more atmosphere and – ta-dah! – a roof garden. But M&S fans (and they are legion) need worry not: the patio oasis will remain, as will the candelit, romantic indoor atmosphere and the stylish, sumptuous food. There’ll just be more of it - and who can argue with that? Open Summer 2008.

OLIVE TREE
Queensberry Hotel, 4-7 Russel St, BA1 2QF
Tel: 01225 447928, web: www.thequeensberry.co.uk
Rated highly in global guidebooks while also maintaining a glowing local reputation, the Olive Tree cleverly appeals to contemporary chicsters, Bathonian traditionalists and hip long-weekenders who make the stylish boutique hotel upstairs their regular urban retreat – a seemingly tall order, but effortlessly served. Nestled in the basement of the discreetly glamorous Queensberry Hotel (just behind the Assembly Rooms), the location is as elegant as the experience itself. As for the food: ‘Head chef Marc Salmon combines gentle innovation with well-honed tradition to great effect, eschewing gastro-wizardry in favour of creating dishes that sparkle with unpretentious charm,’ stated Venue’s own kitchen queen recently, before declaring the overall OT experience to be ‘pretty darn perfect’. Menu S: potato, leek & truffle terrine with gribiche sauce; pan-fried chicken & foie gras sausage with a salad of fine beans & shallots & apple jus. M: best end of Cornish lamb with pea puree & confit potato; seared turbot with a fennel & pine nut salad & orange & coriander sauce. P: roasted banana mousse with chocolate fruit & nut ice-cream & caramelised bananas; Thai rice pudding with lemon grass, chilli & coconut Price ALC: from £6.75/from £16.95/£6.50. SL 2 £13.50 3 £15.50 SD (Sun-Thur only) 3 £26.50 Wine list Huge, international, regularly updated. HW: from approx £16.50 btl, £3.85/£5.25 gls Open Lunch Mon-Sat 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. IDC: CMC. PC: Cardholders & up to 3 guests receive 25% off food bill (excl Fri & Sat eves). Each receive a complimentary glass of wine on Fri & Sat eves.

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 which 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: seafood mousse with crab, mussels, salmon, prawns & cockles; nut terrine with hazelnuts, walnuts & almonds served with red onion marmalade. M: roast chump of lamb with redcurrant & rosemary jus; boeuf bourgignon served on trencher bread. P: raspberry pavlova; warm treacle tart. Price ALC: from approx £4/from approx £8/from £4. Afternoon tea from approx £6. SL: 2 £10 (5-7pm) Wine list HW: approx £11.50btl, £3 gls Open Mon-Thur 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm, Sun 11am-9pm. Children welcome, high chairs. 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. IDC: CMC.

NEW
Springs Café & Restaurant @ the Thermae BATH Spa
Hetling Pump Room, Hot Bath St, BA1 1SJ
Tel: 0844 888 0844/01225 331234, web: www.thermaebathspa.com
l You can’t eat here unless you’re officially taking to the waters and/or partaking of the Thermae Bath Spa experience (and therefore are prepared to dine wearing your swimming cozzie and a robe). But once inside the complex (new, revamped, etc - but you already know all about that), this bright and breezy first-floor café bar/restaurant serves up a daily changing menu designed for both the health-conscious and those hell bent on indulging themselves. Enjoy treats and snacks or a full-on three-course slap-up, with a range of drinks – from tea, coffee, smoothies and fresh juices through to champagne – to accompany your reviving (and largely locally sourced) feast. Menu S: cream of broccoli, potato and Bath blue soup. M: grilled butterfly fillet of Cornish mackerel on new potato, fine beans & beetroot salad dressed with horseradish & crème fraiche; roast belly of Somerset pork with roast tomato, mixed bean & chorizo sauce. P: chocolate & nut sundae; frangipani tart Price £4.70/from £5.50/from £8.95/from £3.30. Sandwiches/paninis/salads from £4.80 Wine list French/Italian, inc champagne. Local/continental beers. HW: £10.50 btl Open Mon-Sun 9.30am-8.15pm (last entry). Children welcome. Wheelchair accessible. Major credit cards. Group bookings - call in advance.

THEATRE VAULTS RESTAURANT
Sawclose, BA1 1EY
Tel: 01225 442265/theatre box office 01225 448844
Atmospheric thesp hangout located in a vaulted cellar beneath the Theatre Royal (so you never know who you’ll bump into). 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 Changes monthly – please call for current details and prices Wine list Cosmopolitan, from £14.50 btl Open Please 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, fax: 01225 744805, web: www.thewallybar.co.uk
This long-established Bath institution serves sturdy portions of good, wholesome, homecooked British and European nosh. With an aptly theatrical ambience (we’re a stone’s throw away from the Theatre Royal) and cool toons providing the soundtrack, this popular haunt delivers the kind of downhome, honest food that keeps the regulars flooding in, from steaks, burgers and kebabs to the massive vegetarian selection. Meat is free range or organic, there’s an emphasis on using local suppliers, and the salads are to die for – at wallet-friendly prices, too. Also has a branch in Clifton (so Bristolians can save on the train fare) and the legendary homemade burgers are now available to take away. Menu S: chicken liver/mackerel pate with toast; nachos with cheese salsa & soured cream. M: beef stroganoff; mushroom moussaka. P: Gina’s chocolate cake; Aunty Audrey’s apple pie Price ALC: from £4.80/from approx £10.65 (burgers from £8.20)/from £4.95 Wine list International, with 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 advance. Major credit cards. Parties catered for, up to 20.

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