Give your shopping list a seasonal spring clean with the top 10 “right here, right now” flavours of the month. Words: Melissa Blease.

What Purple sprouting broccoli Why A familiar classic takes on a fresher, more vibrant complexity How Steamed or stir-fried; teams nicely with lemon butter or garlic and sesame oil

What Rhubarb Why The first fresh fruit of the season! How Incredibly versatile, as happy in fools, crumbles and tarts as it is roasted and teamed with duck, mackerel or pork

What Asparagus Why These glorious bundles of vibrant green spears exemplify the classic taste of early British summertime (and make your pee smell funny) How Steamed and drizzled with butter or hollandaise sauce; roasted and sprinkled with feta cheese, capers and fresh mint

What Jersey royals Why The cream of the new potato crop How Scrubbed, steamed and lightly dressed with butter, sea salt and fresh mint

What Spring lamb Why Soft, sweet, subtly flavoured and meltingly tender How Roast the leg with garlic and rosemary; slather rack cutlets with Greek yoghurt and fresh mint before grilling for around 10 minutes

What Wild garlic/rosemary flowers Why Growing freely (literally) in a hedgerow near you right now, both represent highly flavoursome fuss- (and fear-) free foraging How Scatter these mildly aromatic leaves on salads, roasting vegetables or fish/meat as it grills

What Brown crab Why Moist, sweet, and evocatively seaside-ish How At it’s plain and simple, best on brown bread and butter

What Watercress Why Peppery, characterful and packed with vitamin C, iron and calcium How Raw in salads, or cooked with shallots, white wine, stock and cream for a fabulous sauce for fish

What Morels Why The spring kings of the fungi flock make for a glamorous, highly distinctive treat How Fried in butter and served on toast; added to omelettes, stir-fries or sauces

What Easter Eggs Why Because the April shopping list wouldn’t be complete without these traditional spring treats How As fast as you can, before you feel obliged to share.

Spring out!

The restaurants that make the best of the seasons 

BRISTOL

No 1 Harbourside 1 Canons Rd, Bristol, BS1 5UH, tel: 0117 929 1100, web: www.no1harbourside.co.uk • 90% of food (and drink!) served at this convivial happy eater is locally sourced.

The Runcible Spoon 3 Nine Tree Hill, Bristol, BS1 2SB, tel: 0117 329 7645, web: www.the-runcible-spoon.com • A permanent home for four former pop-up restaurant aficionados who have collaborated with local permaculture project The Fat of the Land to supply this glorious new venture with fresh, seasonal, organic produce on a daily basis.

Spotted Cow 139 North St, Bedminster, Bristol, BS3 2EZ, tel: 0117 963 4433, web: www.thespottedcowbristol.com •Locally sourced ingredients supplemented with fresh vegetables and herbs from their own rooftop kitchen garden.

Canteen 80 Stokes Croft, Hamilton House, Bristol, BS1 3QY, tel: 0117 923 2017 • A quirky, supremely wallet-friendly affair offering menus wrought from bang up-to-date ingredients.

Pony & Trap, Knowle Hill, Newtown, Chew Magna, Bristol, BS40 8TQ, tel: 01275 332627, web: www.theponyandtrap.co.uk • Locally sourced ingredients often harvested just moments before reaching the plate offer a fresh take on the Michelin-starred experience.

BATH

Olive Tree 4-7 Russell St, Bath, BA1 2QF, tel: 01225 447928, web: http://www.thequeensberry.co.uk/ • Head chef Nick Brodie’s menus thrum with the daily-changing flavours of the seasons.

Chequers 50 Rivers St, Bath, BA1 2QA, tel: 01225 360017, web: http://www.thechequersbath.com/; Marlborough Tavern 35 Marlborough Buildings, Bath, BA1 2LY, tel: 01225 423731, web: http://www.marlborough-tavern.com/; Hop Pole 7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Rd, Bath, BA1 3AR, tel: 01225 446327, web: www.bathales.com • Impeccably sourced gastropub greatness writ large across daily-changing menus (including a fine dining option at Chequers) that firmly place seasonal superstars in the spotlight at all times.

demuths 2 North Parade Passage, Bath, BA1 1NX, tel: 01225 446059, web: http://www.demuths.co.uk/ • A flawlessly foodie but wholly accessible meat-free experience representing a paean to seasonal produce fluctuations.
 

Copyright Melissa Blease 2011

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