Venue > Eating Out West > Bristol & Bath Restaurants

A COZINHA
40 Alfred Place, High Kingsdown, BS2 8HD
Tel: 0117 944 3060
Cosy, intimate, independent restaurant with a homely feel. Fabulously authentic Portuguese cuisine is conjured up in an open kitchen, while the premises’ Mediterranean brightness evokes the warm south in a commendably unhurried atmosphere. The menu may change regularly, but a wonderfully warm welcome always awaits: come for the evening, and you’re welcome to stay as long as you wish. Chef/owner Ian Macfarlane cooks everything himself and his care and dedication shines through. Menu S: salada de bacalahau e grao-be-bico (salt cod, sweet pepper & chick pea salad); chouriceo espinafre (pan-fried chorizo, cherry tomato, spinach & red onion). M: porco na cataplana (melange of fresh fish & seafood, steamed in white wine & coriander with pork & chorizo, served in traditional copper cataplana); rich lamb dish with peppers, potatoes & vegetables braised in wine; feijoada (warming pork & bean casserole with potato, onion, garlic & black pudding). P: roulade da amendoa e laranja (rich orange & almond roulade); torte de chocolate (dark chocolate torte topped with crushed amaretti biscuits) Price SD: 2 £20.75, 3 £25 Wine list Large selection. HW: Portuguese red from £13.50 btl, white from £14.50 btl Open Tue-Sat 7pm-late (but please note, last orders for food Tue-Thur 8.30pm, Fri-Sat 9.30pm), Sun 12noon-3.30pm (prior bookings only). Well-behaved children over 14 welcome. Disabled access possible, but access to toilets difficult. Credit cards (not Amex, Diner’s). Whole restaurant available for private hire, up to 40, but not usually Fri & Sat.

EL PUERTO
57 Prince St, BS1 4QH
Tel: 0117 925 6014, web: www.el-puerto.co.uk
Vibrant and authentic stylish contemporary tapas bar with about 50 different dishes to choose from, and interesting art on the walls to rest your eyes on when you need a break from the menu. ‘El Puerto’s ability to do the simple things well sets it high above other, overpriced tapas-type restaurants,’ said Venue’s resident flamenco-dancing grazer. ‘Tasty, filling, excellent value-for-money tapas, with enough diversity to keep the veggies, meaties and even those funny piscetarian people satisfied. The atmosphere bristled with vitality, with just the right amount of hustle to make the place feel lively and exciting without ever becoming annoying or obtrusive.’ We’re expecting him to move in to El Puerto any day now, especially seeing as there’s a small range of sturdier dishes (steak, sea bass, chicken skewers) available too, for those with a very hearty appetite. Live music every Wednesday. Menu Vast tapas selection inc grilled sardines; king prawns with wine & tomato sauce; spicy potatoes; aubergine fritters; chorizo; olives; Spanish hams; croquetas; manchego cheese; albondigas; paella; tortilla; calamares; vegetable stew. P: crema catalan; mango pancakes Price ALC: tapas from £2.95-£4.95. Set main meals £9.95-£12.50 Wine list Extensive bar selection, excellent Spanish wines. HW: from approx £12-£13 btl Open Daily 12noon-12midnight. Children welcome, menu easily adaptable. Disabled access. Major credit cards. Parties/groups welcome, call in adv. IDC: 25% off bill. PC: 10% off bill & a glass of rioja Sun-Thur; glass of rioja Fri & Sat.

EL RINCON
298 North St, Southville, BS3 1JS
Tel: 0117 902 1325, web: www.elrincon.gb.com
Undergoing some major changes as this guide went to press, this has to be Bristol’s only tapas bar and language academy. Owner David has been importing Spanish goodies for a few years now and has a phenomenal selection of wines from the 27 different regions of the country available, as well as the best chorizos, cheeses and other delicacies. The purpose-built kitchen knocks out some gloriously authentic tapas, and then there are regular live music nights, monthly wine tastings and a whole host of other events to keep anyone happy. Menu Huge range of traditional tapas: patatas bravas, calamari, albondigas (meatballs); croquetas etc Price £4 each Wine list Extensive, Spanish selection. HW £8 btl, £2.50 gls Open Mon-Sat 10am-2pm & 6-10pm.

LA TASCA
1 Clifton Heights, Triangle West, BS8 1EJ
Tel: 0117 925 9933, fax: 0117 925 9944, web: www.latasca.co.uk
Funky, popular Spanish-style tapas bar and restaurant with alfresco terrace. Expect a warm and sunny welcome, Mediterranean colour schemes and ambience. Also has branch in Bath. Menu S: tapas includes patatas bravas; mushroom croquettes served with garlic mayonnaise; manchego cheese; jamon serrano; fresh anchovies; tortilla; croquettes of chicken served with garlic mayonnaise; chorizo; pork spare ribs; albondigas a la jardinera; deep-fried squid, tuna, whitebait & king prawn. M: vegetarian/seafood paella (minimum two people). P: crème catalana; Spanish orange tart; seville & orange cheesecake Price Tapas from £2.85/vegetarian paella £8.95pp/carne or valencia paella £9.95pp/seafood paella £10.25pp. SL: call for offers/details/student discounts/Sun lunch Wine list Good range of wine, sangria, Euro-beers. HW: approx £12 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu, high chairs. No disabled access. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Parties of 20+ welcome. IDC: 25% off bill.

LA TASCA
8-10 Colston Ave, BS1 4ST
Tel: 0845 126 2974, web: www.latasca.co.uk
Lively city centre branch of the ever-popular Spanish-style tapas bar and restaurant. Hosts weekly salsa classes. See Clifton Heights listing above for full details. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu, high chairs. Major credit carts (not Diner’s). Parties 20+ welcome.

NANDO’S
49 Park St, BS1 5NT
Tel: 0117 929 9263, hotline: 0800 975 8181
Unit 208, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5UR
Tel: 0117 959 0146, hotline: 0800 975 8181
Web: www.nandos.co.uk
The Portuguese theme is writ large here – albeit in a fast food/franchise way - with Portuguese décor and Portuguese/Brazilian music playing away in the background. The kitchens are open plan, so you can see your food (everything from burgers and big, share-all, teen-pleasing platters to lots of chicken - including their famous peri peri variety - salads, steaks etc) being prepared. Apparently, there could be a third Bristol branch on the way soon as part of the Cabot Circus development. See also Bath listing. Menu S: mixed olives; cherry bell pepper. M: flame-grilled Portuguese peri-peri chicken & two regular sidelines; chicken breast in pitta & regular sideline. P: bottomless frozen yogurt; Portuguese coconut tart Price ALC: from £2.50/from £4.60/from £1.25. Two-for-one deals, party menus etc - call or visit website for updates Wine list HW: approx £11 btl Open Park St: Sun-Thur 12noon-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-12midnight; Cribbs Causeway: Mon-Fri 11am-9.30pm, Sat 11am-7pm, Sun 11am-5pm.

QUARTIER VERT
85 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2NT
Superb tapas menu. See European & Mediterranean.

LA FLAMENCA
12a North Parade, BA2 4AL
Tel: 01225 463626, fax: 01225 463676, web: www.la-flamenca.com
lA proper, authentic Spanish experience from long-established masters of the art, offering an expansive, extensive but incredibly inexpensive range of tapas alongside Spanish a la carte dishes in an intimate yet bright and breezy caved vault environment. White walls, stone floors, clever lighting and a very friendly welcome throughout make for a thoroughly Mediterranean atmosphere. Needless to say, the tapas is tip-top and the restaurant dishes are entirely authentic too, with dishes prepared from only the freshest ingredients (many specially imported direct from Spain). Live music, flamenco dancing and salsa lessons (call or visit website for details/events) adds to the overall ole. Menu Daily changing tapas range inc chacinas ibericas; queso manchego; pork casserole with wine, onion and green pepper; pan-fried cod; deep-fried monkfish/calamari; tortilla; chorizo; garlic chicken; braised mixed vegetables. M: paella, Spanish casseroles. P: puff pastry with fresh custard & vanilla sauce; flambeed bananas with grenadine Price Tapas from £2.50-approx £8/from approx £6/from approx £3 Wine list Extensive list, specially selected Spanish wines & sherries. HW: from approx £10.50 btl, £3 gls Open Daily 12noon-12midnight. Restaurant a la carte menu Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm, 6.30pm-12midnight (last orders 10.30pm). Tapas: daily 12noon-11pm. Children welcome. Major credit cards. Parties of 20+ catered for, call to arrange menus.

LA TASCA
36 Broad St, BA1 5LP
Tel: 01225 466477, fax: 01225 466487, web: www.latasca.co.uk
Funky, popular Spanish-style tapas bar and restaurant. See Bristol listing for full details. Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm. Children welcome, own menu, high chairs. Disabled access possible (one step off street), plus access to women’s toilets. Major credit cards (not Diner’s). Parties of 20+ welcome. IDC: 25% off total bill.

NANDO’S
Kingsmead Leisure Development, 5-10 James St West, BA1 2DT
Tel: 01225 789901, fax: 01225 789048, web: www.nandos.co.uk
See Bristol listing for full details. Open Sun-Thur 12noon-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-12midnight. Children welcome, children’s dishes, high chairs. Disabled access with lift & toilet. Most credit cards. Parties of 20+ welcome.

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