World & Pacific Fusion

Bristol

NEW
BACCHUS
59 Apsley Rd, Clifton, BS8 2SW
Tel: 0117 973 4892
● New owners have taken over the premises of Rucola, but local fans can expect the same great 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, some new, improved and more numerous vegetarian options, and plenty to keep the kids happy. The all-weather terrace is popular all year round. Price Breakfast approx £2.50-£6. ALC approx £3.50-£5/approx £7-£10/approx £4-£5 Wine list International. HW approx £12 btl Open Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 9am-5pm. Disabled access. Parties - call in adv.

NEW
DRAGON GRILL
1-2 Frogmore St, BS1 5NA
Tel: 0117 929 3288, web: www.dragongrill.co.uk
● The most recent manifestation in this slightly challenging spot, under a block of student flats just over from the Ice Rink. Venue found that the east meets west extended to the decor and the karaoke, as well as to the food: ‘The good points are the 60s-retro red and cream striped banquettes, recalling the back seat of an old Ford Zephyr; the friendly and attentive staff; the quality of the main course meat - the fillet steak was locally sourced and tender; the generosity of our starter platter (a mini-buffet of skewers, wings, rib chunks and won ton parcels); and, finally, the karaoke, bequeathed by the former owners and the evident reason for the large and entertainingly lively party of diners in the middle of the room.’ Since Venue’s review, chef Jackie Chan has altered the format to that of an all-you-can-eat-buffet-style restaurant. There’s an option to add an 8oz Somerset farmed steak, thus allowing diners to try out many of his freshly prepared dishes, including more vegetarian options. Outside seating available if the rendition of 80s hits become too much to bear. Price Buffet £7.95 (£15.95 with an 8oz steak) Wine list £10.95 btl, £2.95 gls Open Daily 5-11pm. Disabled access. Private parties. Takeaway available. Karaoke 10pm-12midnight.

GIRAFFE
Glass House, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX
Tel: 0117 930 0603, web: www.giraffe.net
● One of more than 30 restaurants in the feel-good, spreading-the-love, world-music-playing Giraffe chain. Foods are family friendly, and you can eat your way around the globe from Mexican enchiladas to Asian salads and soups, with classic burgers and pizzas thrown in. Lots of kids’ activities and a fun, busy website featuring promotions and special offers. Price Breakfast £3.50-£7.95. ALC: £2.25-£6.95/£6.95-£14.95/£3.95-£5.50. Starter & main: £7.50 (Mon-Fri 5-7pm) Wine list Good selection of world wines. HW £13.25 btl, £2.65 gls. Large cocktail selection, 50% off selected drinks Mon-Thur 5-7pm Open Sun-Fri 10am-11pm, Sat 9am-11pm. Disabled access (lift to food court).

PREVIEW BUFFET BAR
The Venue, Merlin Rd, Cribbs Causeway BS10 7SR
Tel: 0117 959 8282, web: www.previewbuffetbar.co.uk
● Sister to next-door Carvery restaurant, with a similar style and feel. Diners pay the bargain set price on arrival before helping themselves to everything from soups, salad, pizza, pasta, grills and oriental wok dishes to burgers, traditional English roasts and a choice of desserts. Popular with visitors to The Venue – especially those grabbing a bite before taking in a movie or going bowling. Save room for the ice-cream machine. The pre-pay/self-serve system means that there’s no waiting for meals to be delivered to the table, or for the bill to arrive at the end. Menus vary, with extra dishes to choose from on weekend evenings, and a larger carvery selection on Sun. Price As much as you can eat: £6.95 Mon-Fri 11.30am-5.30pm, prices vary at other times. Kids under 10 £4.95 Wine list HW £9.95 btl, £2.75 gls Open Daily 11.30am-late. Good disabled access.

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. ‘Past experiences have made good use of their excellent and convivial alfresco terrace for breakfast or a mid-afternoon pint on a sunny day,’ wrote Venue’s food editor. ‘The converted wine cellar inside, by contrast, is a catacomb of vaulted spaces for drinking or dining. It’s discreetly lively, though, with a light crowd in the bar and a scattering throughout.’ 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. ‘It’s all good, straightforward, does-what-it-says-on-the-can stuff.’ Big screen for sporting events (especially rugby), famous New Year’s Eve parties, and barbecues on the terrace. Price Breakfast £5-£7.95. ALC: £4.75-£8.50/£8.50-£14/£4.95-£7.50. Sun roast £8.95 (booking advised) Wine list Good international range, beers, full bar. HW £14 btl Open Breakfast: daily 7.30-9.30am. Other food: Mon-Sat 12noon-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-10pm. Disabled access – call in adv. Parties of up to 120 in private function room, special menu provided.

SASPARILLA
65 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2LY
Tel: 0117 973 0574, web: www.sasparillabristol.co.uk
● Launched in summer 2008, taking over from the former Henry Africa’s, Sasparilla has fast become one of Bristol’s most upmarket and stylish cocktail bars for the more discerning crowd. With a vast range of cocktails and liqueurs, brasserie-style cuisine, resident DJ and opulent, laidback first-floor lounge, you can dine before you dance and it won’t break the bank. Try the old mixing thing yourself at one of their Cocktail Clinics – call or see website for details. Price ALC: £5-£7/£7-£12/£5-£7. SD: 2 £13, 3 £15 Wine list Extensive. HW from approx £10 btl. Huge range of cocktails, inc non-alcoholic Open Daily 12noon-12midnight. Disabled access - ring in adv. Parties catered for.

NEW
SOUK KITCHEN
277 North St, Southville, BS3 1JP
Tel: 0117 966 6880, web: www.soukkitchen.co.uk
● Formerly Ceiturica Cafe, this popular Southville eatery has changed hands and chefs. The name refers to the commercial centre in Arab or Berber cities where stall-holders use fresh, locally grown ingredients to cook up a feast of dishes from dawn to dusk, filling the air with the aroma of citrus and spices. And just like a traditional souk, Souk Kitchen support the local community by using fresh, local, seasonal ingredients wherever possible, and dishes are packed with flavour, prepared with passion and made for sharing. As we went to press, the new owners were keeping with the former opening hours and similar menu options (mezze, posh kebabs and traditional sides like hummus, babaganoush and falafel) while adding more Moroccan fare such as tagines. See website or call for current updates. As we went to press, £7.50 got you a Turkish pizza plus a beer or glass of wine on Wed. Price ALC: starter approx £2-£5/mezze approx £6.95/main approx £8-£10/dessert £3. Taster menu £9.95 (book ahead, Thur-Sat eve) Wine list Good selection from around the globe. HW approx £12 btl, £3 gls. Beers, lagers, etc (inc Moroccan) Open Daily 9am-10.30pm. Disabled access. Parties of up to 20 welcome.

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, kids’ menu and full-service bar. Price ALC dinner from approx £3-£4/approx £7-£11/approx £4-£6. Sharing platter £9.95-£19.95 (min 2 people). New daytime menu: £3.95-£4.95 (daily 11am-6pm) Wine list HW £10.95 btl Open Restaurant: Sun-Thur 10am-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12.30am. Bar: Sun-Thur 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-12.30am. Disabled access (via lift). Parties welcome - call in adv.

NEW (RELAUNCHING SOON)
31
31 Corn St, BS1 1HT
Tel: 0117 929 0118, web: www.31cornstreet.co.uk
● See Bars: Bristol

Bath

CLARKE’S RESTAURANT & CHAZZ BAR
7 Argyle St, BA2 4BA
Tel: 01225 444440, web: www.clarkesbath.co.uk
● Popular, 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 in the Chazz Bar, cocktails are a speciality, served in elegantly understated luxury and almost decadent comfort.There’s a gorgeous little ‘smoking courtyard’ out back, Sun brunch/lunch are thoroughly laidback affairs and, at the time of going to press, Thur night is Pie Night. Price ALC: £4.50-£6.50/£10.95-£14.50/£3.95-£5.95. SL (Mon-Fri): 2 £10. Pie Night: 2 £10 Wine list Spectacular, inc own label & vintage. HW approx £15 btl 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. Parties up to 30 max, private downstairs dining room (with alfresco courtyard), whole bar available for private hire.

RIVERSIDE CAFE
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 and fresh, homecooked lunches and, from March-October, 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; the fish and chips are pretty much unbeatable, burgers are boisterous, and if the sweet potato pancakes are on the menu, stack up. Tables on the pavement offer gorgeous weir views. What’s not to love? Price Breakfast from approx £5, lunch/light bites approx £6-£9.50, evening ALC approx £6/approx £10.50/approx £5, daily specials from £7.50 Wine list Thoughtful, well-chosen. HW approx £13.50-£17 btl Open Daily 9am-5pm (also open eves from spring to end Sept). Disabled access very limited. Not suitable for large groups, except by prior arrangement.

Eating Out West - Bristol and Bath's best restaurant guide, including extra sections on Pubs, Bars, Sandwich Shops, Takeaways, Wine Merchants, Caterers, Dining Clubs and Cookery Schools. To order your copy ring 0117 942 8491. Only £4.95. Yum.