FOOD&DRINK

The innumerable office workers and NHS staff who use the top end of Colston Street as their lunchtime hunting ground have been spoiled of late, with Cafe Delight and a new Cafe Gusto as well as Colston Yard, Zero Degrees and a handful of other eateries to choose from. With the launch of continental-style cafe and delicatessen Alioli earlier this year, deciding where to do lunch has become even more difficult. The de rigueur freshly baked baguettes, jacket spuds and paninis once offered by Flamingo, the sandwich shop that previously stood on this site, are still in place but the family that run Alioli have added a few Mediterranean goodies such as traditional Spanish tortilla (that’s the thick potato omelette, not those wafer-thin Doritos), spicy Italian meatballs and paella to the range of lunchtime staples. Customers can also choose from a small range of Continental deli groceries – oils, pasta, olives, patés, tinned anchovies, pesto and more – or just grab a slice of cake and a cup of excellent coffee. It’s a great little place and one which deserves to do well: the Alioli team are incredibly obliging and the menu seems to grow almost daily. Get yourself along there and try the tortilla, it’s the best I’ve eaten this side of Madrid. Judging by the number of Spanish and Italian nationals who have already discovered its delights, Alioli should be around for a good few years to come. (Darryl W Bullock)

ALIOLI 14 UPPER MAUDLIN ST, BRISTOL, BS2 8DJ. TEL: 0117 904 4495.

Copyright Darryl W Bullock 2010