Venue > Eating Out West > Bristol & Bath Restaurants

BOCANOVA
90 Colston St, BS1 5BB
Tel: 0117 929 1538, fax: 0117 927 6440, web: www.bocanova.co.uk
‘Bocanova knocks out impressive grub in a cheerful and lively atmosphere,’ said Venue’s food editor - or, to put it in a slightly more sophisticated way, the restaurant serves an interesting, imaginative blend of Mediterranean cuisine with occasional swoons of Brazilian fervour thrown in for good measure. The funky, fun atmosphere is helped along by regular live music evenings (currently on first Thursday of every month), while the whole place reflects Brazilian owner Humberto Benevenuto’s passion for food, high standards and inventiveness. Fans (and their numbers are legion) can find further Brazilian-inspired treats at Boca Bar at Paintworks, just off the Bath Road (See Bars: Bristol). Menu (Changes frequently, supplemented by daily specials) S: Tuscan roast plum tomato, ciabatta and basil soup with cream, cracked black pepper and grilled olive bread; squid and smoked bacon pan-fried with onions, garlic, white wine and herbs, served on mixed leaves in lemon dressing. M: marinated pork tenderloin, chargrilled and served on a bed of spring onion mashed potatoes, in a red wine, rosemary and honey jus, with roasted cherry tomatoes and red onion marmalade; chargrilled mature Brazilian sirloin steak with a red wine, plum tomato, basil provencal sauce, with rocket and balsamic vinaigrette. P: quindim (Brazilian flan) served with vanilla ice-cream; tiramisu garnished with white & dark chocolate & mango coulis. Price SL: 1 £9.99, 2 £14.50, 3 £16.50 (‘rapido’ lunch deals: call for details). SD: 1 £17.50, 2 £23.50, 3 £26.50 (occasional supplements for choices from the specials board) Wine list HW: approx £14 btl. Brazilian beers & cocktails Open From 10am for coffee, lunch 12noon-2.30pm, dinner 6-11pm (closed Sundays). Children welcome. Disabled access. Major credit cards (not Amex). Parties of 20+ can be accommodated (and the party menus are fabulous); private room available; book well in advance. IDC: 25% off bill.

CASA MEXICANA
29-31 Zetland Rd, BS6 7AH
Tel: 0117 924 3901, fax: 0117 944 5768, web: www.casamexicana.co.uk
A wonderful haven of all things Mexican, which has been ploughing its own furrow for over two decades now. Rated as one of the Top Five Mexican restaurants in the country by the Guardian, the first Mexican restaurant in Bristol is still ahead of the field in terms of quality and authenticity. Proprietors Kevin and Lesley Duff offer excellent food by any standard: good value for both quality and quantity, in a lovely atmosphere, too. A warren of linked, laid-back dining areas (leather sofas, fresh flowers, New Mexico colours and wall-wash lights all add to the overall ambience) combine with a bar area at the front, a smashing tapas menu, al fresco dining opportunities and seriously excellent cocktails, making for a very happy dining experience whatever the occasion. Menu S: sambutes (crisp cornmeal parcels with goat’s cheese and spiced apple relish); gambas chipotle (king crevettes with smoked chilli butter & soft tortillas). M: puchero de cordero (slow-braised lamb shank with chorizo & pasilla chilli); camarones de la casa (king prawns in a light sauce of sweet red peppers, almonds and coconut milk); burritos; chimichangas; fajitas; enchiladas. P: capirotada (toasted, buttery bread with apples, almonds & bananas infused in spiced muscovado syrup); chocolate kahlua cheesecake; meringue with orange liqueur-infused mascarpone cream, served with fresh berries; crème brulee Price ALC: from £4.25/from £8.95/all £4.25. Tapas from £2.20. Set party menus for 12+ Wine list Extensive, many individually sourced from small growers in Spain, Mexico, and South America, many organic. HW: £11.50 btl, £3.50 gls. Excellent cocktails, bottled beers, draught lager Open Daily 6.30-10pm (last food orders). Children welcome. Good disabled access (ramp at front), but no toilet. Major credit cards. Separate rooms for private hire for parties.

LAS IGUANAS
113 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PB
Tel: 0117 973 0730, fax: 0117 974 5786
Anchor Square, Bristol, BS1 5UH
Tel: 0117 927 6233, web: www.iguanas.co.uk
What started years ago in Bristol is now a multi-million-pound UK chain: 18 branches and counting. Yet that original raw passion still shows in the quality of food and service. Fun, funky and value for money, the cachacaria bars (cachaça being the national spirit of Brazil, and these guys distil their own brand), combined with some of the finest South American food around (a fusion of Latin, African and Portuguese flavours), have made Las Iguanas a national favourite, so popular in its home town that there are now two branches (and another one just up the road in Bath). ‘Las Iguanas has managed to carve out a nice little corner of Anchor Square for itself, and very pleasant it is too, with an intelligent use of floor space and lighting,’ said Venue’s own lizard king of the new branch. ‘There’s a good, well-balanced mix of humanity here, and a goodtime feel as a party venue which you can sample in spades even if there’s only two of you.’ Superb cocktails help to keep the party going, while excellent tapas and a good selection of fish, vegetarian options and salads soak it all up in style. Set lunch/happy hour deals are always good value - visit the website for current offers. See also Bath listing. Menu S: lobster, seared yellowfin tuna and crayfish in mango, ginger and citrus marinade, served with salad and fresh pomegranate seeds; crisp fried baby squid with fresh garlic and chilli aioli. M: moqueca (a Brazilian curry with peppers, tomatoes, garlic and palm oil with rice, sweet plantain and coconut farofa and hot chilli salsa - vegetarian or seafood options); xinxim (Brazilian lime chicken in creamy crayfish and peanut sauce); fajitas; enchiladas; chimichangas etc. P: Aztec chocolate fudge cake; brevas (toffee-stuffed black figs in sugar cane syrup). Price Tapas from £3.90 (huge sharing platter £11.50). ALC: from £4.20/from £8.50/from approx £3.90. SL/SD (until 6.30pm) 2 for £7.90 Wine list Extensive. HW: Chilean from £13 btl, £3.10 gls. Excellent cocktails, beers Open Mon-Thur 12noon-11pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm (Harbourside 12noon-12midnight), Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children’s menu. Disabled access – yes, but call individual branch for advice. Major credit cards. Private hire, up to 70. Parties welcome (and encouraged).

TEQUILA MAX
109 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PB
Tel/fax: 0117 946 6144, web: www.tequilamax.co.uk
l Fun venue with a big menu, a mix of Mexican, Latin American and European dishes to suit all-comers, this place calls itself Bristol’s number one party place, and it’s easy to see why. Impressive discounts and regular offers on meals and at the bar attract a young, energetic crowd, and the wandering tequila boys and girls are always on hand to tempt you into a hangover. Menu S: Max’s sharing platter: jalapeno poppers (rellenos), calamari, onion rings, Louisiana hot wings and chilli envelopes served with sour cream, salsa and guacamole dips; whole shell-on tiger prawns with chilli and lime dressing and garlic bread; nachos; tacos; Mexican nibbles. M: massive range of various meat, fish, seafood and vegetarian combinations of fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, sizzling platters. P: ice-cream; cheesecakes Price ALC: from £4.75/from approx £10/from £3.25 (note: on Fri & Sat evenings there’s a minimum cover charge of £8.50pp). Call in advance to check what bargains are on offer. Party menus available Wine list HW: from approx £11 btl Open Mon-Sun 5pm-late. Happy hour 5-7pm every day (bar and food deals). Children welcome early eves. Disabled access, but not toilets. Major credit cards. Parties up to 60 welcome. Call ahead for offers, discounts & bookings. IDC: 25% off bill.
Bath

LAS IGUANAS
12 Seven Dials, Sawclose, BA1 1EN
Tel: 01225 336666, fax: 01225 311733, web: www.iguanas.co.uk
Authentic Latin American food and a suitably party-on atmosphere from the Bristol-based specialists in the genre, offering a lively blend of striking decor, cool sounds and classy food in a strikingly pretty location adjacent to the Theatre Royal, with the chic but friendly Pulp bar just downstairs. Gorgeous alfresco courtyard dining. For full details, see Bristol listing. Open Mon-Thur 12noon-11pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Pulp open Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-10pm. Children’s menu. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties of 20+ catered for (12 or less on Sat).

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