Bristol
AMICI
239 Cheltenham Rd, BS6 5QP Tel: 0117 924 5879, web: www.amicirestaurant.co.uk
• Traditional Italian food cooked up with a modern twist. New owners will be fine-tuning the website and menu at this very popular, always good-value-for-money restaurant. Traditional Italian surroundings, a relaxed atmosphere and cosy ambience, plus a huge menu with frequent updates and specials, keep this family-friendly eatery buzzing. Price ALC: £3.50-£6.90/£7.25-£18.95/£3.95 Wine list HW £11.25 btl, £3.75 gls Open Mon-Sat 5.30-11pm, Sun 11am-11pm. Disabled access possible, restaurant on one floor, one step to toilet. Takeaway. Parties 20+ welcome.
ASK
51 Park St, BS1 5NT Tel: 0117 934 9922, web: www.askrestaurants.com
• Big, bustling modern chain pizzeria from a company with over 200 UK outlets (including one in Bath). Stylish and relaxed, and terrifically popular with big parties at weekends. Pizzas and salads are generous, and staff efficient. Bristol outlet has a lovely front terrace for people watching and alfresco dining. Daily specials and party menus. No bookings taken for small tables at weekends. Register on website and receive a voucher for any main meal for £1 when you buy another main at full price. Price ALC: £3.85-£6.95/£9.45-£12.25/£3.95-£5.65 Wine list HW £14.75 btl, £4.15 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat), Sun 12noon-10pm. No disabled access. Private hire, up to 100. Parties of 20+ welcome - book in adv.
BELLA ITALIA
8-10 Baldwin St, BS1 1SA Tel: 0117 929 3278
The Venue Leisure Complex, Merlin Rd, Cribbs Causeway, BS10 7SR Tel: 0117 959 0982
Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX Tel: 0117 927 7230, web: www.bellaitalia.co.uk
• Familiar Italian food cooked in open kitchens at these family-oriented franchise restaurants decorated in classic Italian style, with food to match. Wide selection of pizza, pasta and oven-baked dishes, plus ice-cream and puddings. All dishes containing nuts or other allergenic ingredients are clearly marked, and there are sugar-free squashes for the kids. Lots of fish, vegetarian dishes and house specials. Separate breakfast and kids’ menus. See website for offers and online booking. Price ALC: £3.95-£5.95/£6.50-£13.50/£3.95-£7.50. SL (Sun-Fri 12noon-7pm): 1 £5.95, 2 £8.95 Wine list HW £13.75 btl, £3.85 gls Open Baldwin St: daily 9am-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat). Cabot: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10.30pm. Venue Leisure Complex: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-10.30pm. Disabled access. Parties welcome.
BOTTELINO’S
Emersons Way, Emersons Green, BS16 7AE Tel: 0117 957 3722
6 St Peter’s Court, Bedminster, BS3 4AQ Tel: 0117 966 6676
Court House, 110 High St, Nailsea, BS48 1AH Tel: 01275 858282, web: www.bottelinos.net
• Each branch of this long-established, family-run business offers top-notch traditional Italian food (including sturdy steaks, fresh fish dishes, classic pasta, 20+ pizza options), great value-for-money lunch deals and robust vegetarian options, in a lovely, lively atmosphere. Free delivery at some locations - call or check website for details. Kids’ menu and special eve deals. Also has a branch in Bath. And now you can bring a little piece of Italy into your home through their online deli (www.bottelinosdeli.com). Price ALC: £2.50-£8.95/£8.50-£19.95/£4-£6. SL: 1 £4.95, 2 £7.95, 3 £9.95 Wine list Classic Italian & European. HW £14.95 btl, £2.95 gls Open Emersons Green & Bedminster: Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-11.30pm, Sun 12noon-9pm. Nailsea: Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm, Sun 12noon-8pm. Disabled access - call ahead for specific details & advice. Parties 20+ welcome. Home delivery & takeaway - call for details.
CARLUCCIO’S
11 Quakers Friars, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BU Tel: 0117 933 8538
The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, BS34 5DG Tel: 0117 950 8760, web: www.carluccios.com
• Bristol hosts two outlets of the famous cafe, restaurant and food shop originally founded in 1991 by celeb chef Antonio Carluccio and his family, specialising in all things authentically Italian and using fresh, seasonal ingredients. ‘It’s exactly what you’d expect: open-plan restaurant, Italian deli and a good, honest menu with a smattering of daily specials and the same fixed-price offer you’ll find at any of the other 33 branches,’ wrote our reviewer. Find espresso and pastry for breakfast, light antipasti and salads, heart-warming main courses and decadent desserts. Kids get their own menu. Food shop sells authentic Italian gifts and treats and tells of upcoming events like pasta & risotto workshops at Cribbs. New this year is a dedicated gluten-free menu featuring Carluccio’s own corn pasta. Price ALC: £4.65-£6.75/£7.95-£14.95/£3.95-£6.50. SM: 2 £9.95, 3 £12.45 Wine list HW £13.95 btl, £4 gls Open Cribbs: Mon-Sat 9am-9pm, Sun 9am-6pm. Disabled access. Quakers Friars: Mon-Sat 8am-11pm, Sun 9am-10.30pm. Disabled access.
CASAMIA
38 High St, Westbury on Trym, BS9 3DZ Tel: 0117 959 2884, web: www.casamiarestaurant.co.uk
• Awards and accolades for the brothers Sanchez-Iglesias? You got ‘em. A Michelin star still shining brightly, three AA rosettes, in the top 100 at the National Restaurant Awards and now winners of Gordon Ramsay’s Best Restaurant. ‘Innovative and balanced Italian cooking that shows a high level of skill and is full of flavour,’ the big red book said, and who are we to disagree? Though we can proudly boast that we were there first and have been praising the place for almost as long as it’s been open: ‘You’d have to go a long way to find food as fascinating and extraordinary as the dishes Jonray and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias are serving up at Casamia right now: major recognition from the Michelin man is surely only a matter of time,’ we wrote. It’s always nice to be proved right, and it couldn’t happen to a nicer family. Casamia serves up fantastic, cutting-edge cuisine - a la Heston Blumenthal, with a nod to the Italian classics - with the brothers curing their own meats, baking their own bread, desserts, ice-creams and petits-fours, and creating dishes and menus dictated by availability from local markets and suppliers. The Times rated it one of the UK’s top 10 Italians, and it’s Which? Good Food Guide listed. ‘Eating out doesn’t get any better than this,’ wrote our man. In their free time, the boys have been writing their story, ‘Elements’ - a must-read for aspiring chefs, due out this year. Advance booking advised. Price SL: 3 £25, 5 £45 (Sat only). SD: 5 £45, 7 £58 Wine list Extensive. HW £20 btl, £5 gls Open Lunch (Sat only) 12.30-1.45pm. Dinner Tue-Sat 7-9pm. Disabled access possible, but call in adv. Parties – call in adv.
CIBO RISTORANTE
289 Gloucester Rd, BS7 8NY Tel: 0117 942 9475, web: www.cibo.co.uk
• Originally a top-notch Italian deli, Cibo offers everything from wholesale online shopping to a great neighbourhood restaurant, deli and espresso bar. This stylish, independent, well-established gourmet heaven fuses traditional Italian flavours with ingredients from around the world. Daily changing specials board might include ostrich fillet pan-fried in rich wild mushroom sauce, and medallions of venison in juniper berry & port reduction. Our food editor paid a visit: ‘Satisfying stuff – a mix of flavours tasting freshly cooked, in a smart place with a homely warmth.’ If you're after more traditionally Italian fare, chef Miki Boscolo serves up pizza and pasta with the same no-nonsense flair he brings to the whole Cibo menu, and there are lighter bites (tapas, sandwiches, soup), too. Tables can be booked online; wine and deli goodies are available for takeaway. Price ALC: £4.95-£7.95/£6.55-£18.95/£4.85. SL: pasta/pizza £5 Wine list Italian. HW £12.95 btl, £3.90 gls Open Cafe: Mon-Thur 10.30am-2.30pm & 5.30-10.30pm, Fri-Sat 10.30am-11pm. Disabled access. Takeaway. Parties of 20+ welcome - book in adv.
NEW FRATELLI’S
22 Bond St, BS1 3LU Tel: 0117 926 8054 web: www.fratellis-restaurant.com
• The newest addition to the Bottelino’s group - housed in the former Bottelino’s in its grand location on Bond Street - this is the first restaurant venture from Giuseppe (grandson of Bottelino’s founder), and it follows the family’s well-established tradition of affordable Italian food. Expect top-notch Italian fare with some interesting additions, like shredded duck pizza, and linguine alla marianara al cartoccio – a steam-baked and paper-wrapped version of a favourite. Whether it’s for breakfast, lunch and dinner, expect the same warm welcome from this enterprising Italian family. Price ALC: £4-£19/£10-£15/£4.95. Breakfast £1.10-£8. SL: 2-4-1 main till 2pm Wine list HW £13.25 btl, £3.25 gls Open Mon-Fri 8am-2.30pm & 5.30-9pm (10.30pm Fri), Sat 9am-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm. Disabled access but no toilet. Parties welcome - call in adv. Takeaway. NUS discount 20%.
RENAMED GIUSEPPE’S
59 Baldwin St, BS1 1QZ Tel: 0117 926 4869, web: www.giuseppesitalianrestaurant.co.uk
• Traditional, intimate Italian old-timer that’s been serving wonderfully fresh fish for over 50 years and has recently changed its name from Marco’s to that of the owner’s. Up to 15 different catches on the daily board, and French and English touches alongside trattoria classics. New menu has added pizzas, also available for takeaway. Romantic feel, though the location makes it ideal for business lunches (and it’s a lot bigger then it appears from the outside, with room for around 85 people). Top-notch service, overseen by Giuseppe, who originally worked at Marco’s over 25 years ago, and after a stint in London returned to Bristol to buy the place for himself. Price ALC: £4.50-£8.95/£8.95-£19.95/£4.75-£5. SL: pasta/pizza £5.95 & gls wine/soft drink. SD (till 7pm): 2 £11.95. Sun roast £8.95 Wine list International. HW £14.95 btl, £3.75 gls Open Mon-Tue 12noon-2.30pm & 5-11pm, Wed-Sun 12noon-11pm. Disabled access - call for advice. Function room for private hire, up to 35. Parties 20+ welcome. Takeaway.
NEW IL GRANO
149 East St, Bedminster, BS3 4EJ Tel: 0117 963 3544, web: www.ilgrano.co.uk (TBC)
• ‘The arrival of Il Grano, tucked among the budget booze places at the top of East Street, comes as a ray of hope. It’s a ray that glows even brighter when you look past the classic pasta, pizza and risotto menu and scan the crammed specials board offering a very tempting menu in its own right,’ says our man south of the river. Not that the pizzas and pastas are anything to scoff at - and for a fiver or less you can try one with a soft drink at lunch or collect one to have back home in order to try this ‘proper fresh-cooked taste of an Italian kitchen’. Price ALC: £2.95-£6.95/£5.95-£13.95/£3-£3.50. SL: pizza/pasta & soft drink £4.95 Wine list HW £11.95 btl, £3.25 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-4pm. Disabled access – possible but call in adv. Takeaway. Delivery £5 (min £12 order).
NEW JAMIE’S ITALIAN
87-89 Park St, BS1 5PW Tel: 0117 370 0265, web: www.jamieoliver.com
• Despite delays due to planning, Bristol residents can rejoice as their favourite cheeky chef brings his empire to the old Blackwell’s bookstore building on Park St. Spanning three floors, the totally refurbished site includes an antipasti counter, fresh pasta machine and ‘bread station’, plus ground-floor deli area selling Italian food, JO’s cookbooks and kitchen products. The style of food will be familiar to Jamiephiles: rustic, simple dishes with quality ingredients found both locally and in Italy - and seasonal, too - made with care but delivered without lots of fuss. And Venue reckoned it did indeed deliver: ‘Each dish has been given a Day-Glo energy as brash as its author – it could be wearing but somehow it isn’t. Instead it makes you want to try the rest of the menu.’ Price ALC: £3.45-£6.85/£9.85-£16.95/£4.50-£4.95 Wine list All Italian, inc organic HW by the gls, carafe, btl or litre. HW £15.35 btl, £11.60 carafe, £4.25 gls Open Daily 12noon-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Disabled access - call in adv. Parties welcome - call in adv. Takeaway.
LA CAMPAGNUOLA
9 Zetland Rd, Redland, BS6 7AG Tel: 0117 924 8102/8372, web: www.lacampagnuola.co.uk
• Translates from the Italian as ‘the country girl’. Expect wholly authentic, regional Italian favourites (owner Filippo is originally from a small village in Sicily; his children Vincenzo and Marlangela now keep the family business going) in charming, welcoming surroundings. Traditional Sicilian-influenced dishes, made with fresh ingredients, from delicious pastas to incredible, generous pizzas, seafood, veal, poultry and steaks. Family-friendly, and portions can be sized to suit kids. Price ALC: £3.95-£7.50/£7.50-£19.90/£4.25-£4.95 Wine list Extensive, plus cocktails, beers/lagers, Italian liqueurs. HW £13.95 btl, £3.25 gls Open Sun-Thur 6-11.30pm, Fri-Sat 6pm-12.30am. Disabled access - call in adv. Parties welcome - call in adv. Takeaway.
LA GROTTA
9 Union St, BS1 2DD Tel: 0117 929 0466
• Long-established (quarter of a century), family-run, traditional trattoria, opposite one of the entrances to the Galleries (hence its popularity with a carrier bag-laden clientele and office birthdays). Great food in cosy surroundings: homecooked fare using fresh ingredients, including scrumptious pizzas, pasta and puds - a welcome alternative to the fast-food chains next door. The Papa Lounge (downstairs, with dancefloor) adds to the party atmosphere and is popular for celebrations (private bookings only, call in adv). Price ALC: £4.25-£6.75/£7.60-£17.95/£4.50. SL: 1 £5.25 Wine list HW £13.95 btl, £2.95 gls Open Mon-Thur 11.30am-2.30pm & 5pm-late, Fri-Sat 11.30am-12midnight, Sun 11.30am-5.30pm. Disabled access. Parties up to 150.
LA TAVERNA DELL’ARTISTA
33 King St, BS1 4DZ Tel: 0117 929 7712
• This family-run restaurant is a wonderful post-theatre haunt, where stars and Bristol’s boho creative crowd hobnob. Established for over 20 years, it’s become a very special part of Bristol life. Good, honest Italian fare with an atmosphere to match, whether for early-evening convivial conversation or the renowned late-night party feel. The restaurant manages to combine style and informality while it gets shoulder-to-shoulder downstairs. A unique, cherished institution. Price ALC: main £12.50-£25 Wine list Mostly Italian regional. HW approx £12.50 btl Open Tue-Sat: restaurant 5.30pm-12midnight, bar 5.30pm-2am. Disabled access to downstairs bar area, where they’re happy to serve meals. Private hire, up to about 100. Parties 20+ welcome.
MAMMA MIA
10a Park Row, BS1 5LJ Tel: 0117 926 8891
• This central location in the Christmas Steps arts quarter has been around for over 25 years and is firmly established as a popular late-night pizzeria for locals and visitors alike, serving traditional Italian fare: pizzas, pastas, daily specials. Lots of nooks and crannies for romantic dinners for two, as well as room for bigger groups. Price ALC: £3.25-£6.80/£8.40-£18/£3.30-£4.30 Wine list HW £11.80 ltr, £2.30 gls Open Mon-Thur 6pm-12midnight, Fri-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6pm-12midnight, Sun 12noon-11pm. Disabled access (two steps, but staff can assist) but toilets in basement.
NEW MARCO’S OLIVE BRANCH
76 Victoria St, Redcliffe, BS1 6DF Tel: 0117 922 6688, web: www.marcosolivebranch.co.uk
• Formerly Dolce Vita. New owners have updated and modernised the decor and menu with their particular Sardinian slant. Expect the same great pizzas and pastas as before, with wild boar, rabbit or suckling pig thrown into the mix. Breads and pizza bases are homemade using traditional recipes. Breakfast menu gives way to an all-day selection of homecooked treats: fresh salads, light bites, sturdier offerings (steaks, fresh fish) and a daily changing special. Popular all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffet plus soft drink for £7.95. Bright, fresh dining room upstairs, open fire downstairs, and nice little alfresco area. Takeaway lunches, fresh coffee, pizzas. Very student-friendly. Price ALC: £4.75-£8.15/£7.95-£17.95/£2.95-£4.65. Breakfast £2-£5.75 Wine list HW £11.95 btl, £3.75 gls Open Mon-Sat 9am-11pm. Disabled access & toilet. Parties welcome - call in adv. Takeaway. NUS discount 10%.
PICCOLINO
1 Narrow Weir, Cabot Circus, BS1 3DU Tel: 0117 929 3255, web: www.piccolinorestaurants.co.uk
• Modern chain serving fresh pasta dishes, pizza and other Italian specialities. Vibrant restaurant and bar with a chic yet informal feel, ‘darkly decorated with neat, dark furniture, a glass cabinet dangling with fresh pasta and an ‘al forno’ woodstone oven roaring away at the back’, recounted our reviewer, struck by the exuberance of the staff and authenticity of the food. Everything, including pasta, bread and ice-cream, is freshly prepared on the premises. ‘The bread was freshly baked and tasty, the olive oil miraculously ungreasy, the olives firm and Italian.’ Split over two floors, with a striking bar, open kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven, it’s showy without being OTT, impressive but not expensive - and the alfresco patio is a welcome touch. Now offers a cocktail school where mere mortals can master the art of the mixologist - call for details. Price ALC: £3.50-£8/£6-£17.50/£4.65-£6.75 Wine list HW £13.50 btl, £9 carafe, £2.50 gls Open Daily 11.30am-11.30pm (10.30pm Sun. Good disabled access. Private dining & parties catered for.
PIZZAEXPRESS
Unit 1, Building 8, Harbourside, BS1 5TY Tel: 0117 927 3622
35 Corn St, BS1 1HT Tel: 0117 930 0239
2-10 Regent St, Clifton, BS8 4HG Tel: 0117 974 4259
31 Berkeley Square, Clifton, BS8 1HP Tel: 0117 926 0300, web: www.pizzaexpress.com
• National institution established in 1965, serving quality produce and authentic Italian food in stylish contemporary surroundings. Lots of pizzas, pastas, excellent salads and good vegetarian options. Lighter selections and kids’ menu, too. Regent St: vast emporium on two floors - the region’s biggest branch. Berkeley Sq: light, bright and buzzy, with big sofas in reception area. Corn St: city-centre branch with bright, comfortable interior. Harbourside: huge 190-seat restaurant with alfresco dining for up to 80. Price ALC: £2.15-£4.75/£6.20-£9.45/£3.10-£4.90 Wine list Italian (inc organic) & liqueurs. HW £12.95 btl, £3.75 gls Open Berkeley Sq, Harbourside: daily 11.30am-11pm. Regent St, Corn St: Daily 11.30am-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Good disabled access all locations (Berkeley Sq & Corn St, with staff assistance for front step), toilets accessible. Regent St: large parties, up to 50. Berkeley Sq: parties 20+ welcome. Harbourside: large parties welcome. Corn St: parties up to 25.
PIZZA HUT
Several branches across Bristol: see www.pizzahut.co.uk
• The Hut joins the fancy-schmancy-topping brigade with options including goat’s cheese, caramelised onions and prawns - not necessarily on the same pizza, unless you want it that way. As well as all the standard favourites, there’s pasta, ice-cream and garlic bread at value-for-money deals and takeaway/delivery service (most branches). Online booking, too. Price Pizza £5.99-£12.49. Bargain-priced seasonal deals – see website Wine list Italian & French. HW from £10 btl, £2.49 gls Open See website for branch details. Disabled access & toilets in most branches. Large-print menu. Takeaway. Parties 20+ welcome - notify in adv.
PIZZA PROVENCALE
29 Regent St, Clifton, BS8 4HR Tel: 0117 974 1175, web: www.pizzaprovencale.co.uk
• Long-established, friendly, relaxed neighbourhood pizzeria where the dough is made fresh on the premises and pizzas are as far away from a chain restaurant as you can get. The welcome is as big as the pizzas (easily big enough to share, at up to 16in), turning this charming little bistro into a local institution. Curious but effective decor, with church pews and Mediterranean feel. Individual Italian/French-inspired dishes (pizzas, pasta, fish, seafood) and vegetarian options, and now offering gluten-free options on 12in pizzas for a 75p surcharge. Well worth a trip. Price ALC: £3.95-£5.30/£7.55-£17.95/£3.50-£4.65. SL: 2 slices of pizza & mixed salad £3.95 Wine list French. HW £12.75 btl, £3.30 gls Open Sun-Thur 12noon-11pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-12midnight. Disabled access possible, but not to toilet. Student discount 10%. Takeaway. Private hire, up to 30. Parties 20+ welcome.
PLANET PIZZA
187 Gloucester Rd, BS7 8BG Tel: 0117 944 4717
83 Whiteladies Rd, BS9 2NT Tel: 0117 907 7112, web: www.planetpizza.co.uk
• With a small, buzzy restaurant/bar on Whiteladies Rd and a slightly more subdued branch on Gloucester Rd, PP have a big local reputation for out-of-this-world pizzas at down-to-earth prices. Venue is a regular at the Bishopston branch: ‘Friendly, independent antidote to all those glossy franchised pizza places.’ Local artists adorn walls and staff are familiar and friendly. Pizza toppings include halloumi cheese, sundried tomatoes & roasted red peppers with red onions. The generous salads are lush, the sweet things stellar. Both branches benefit from great alfresco areas out front, perfect for pizza scoffing and people watching. ‘It’s hard not to feel satisfied when everything’s been just so easy and laidback,’ reminisces our man after a day spent noshing out on the picnic tables. They’re such nice venues just to hang out in, so try the all-day coffee & homemade cake for £2.90. Price ALC: £2-£4/£5-£14/£3.50. Pizza 2-4-1 Sun-Wed 5-7pm. SL (Mon-Fri till 5pm): 9in pizza £5 Wine list HW £12.50 btl, £3.40 gls. Lots of draught/btld beers Open Daily 11am-11pm. Disabled access - call in adv. Takeaway 10% discount. Private hire, both branches, up to 65. Parties welcome, booking & deposit required.
PROSECCO
25 The Mall, Clifton Village, BS8 4JG Tel: 0117 973 4499, web: www.proseccoclifton.com
• ‘As an independent venture, Prosecco pretty much ticks all the boxes,’ said our contented reviewer. ‘It offers a different take on Italian cuisine: the cooking is thoughtful, the surroundings cosy and intimate, the service friendly and attentive.’ This charming, stylish restaurant, presided over by chef/owner Diego da Re, features some pretty unusual dishes that our man said ‘have an authenticity about them that puts them in the ‘superior home cooking’ category’. A warm welcome is aided by a smashing wine list, including the house prosecco, exclusively imported from a small vineyard in owner Diego’s home town of Conegliano, owned and run by friends from his childhood. Regular food/wine-tasting evenings (see website) are proving very popular. Price ALC: £5.25-£9.50/£11.95-£19.50/£4.50-£7.50 Wine list Extensive, superb. HW £14.95 btl, £3.95 gls Open Tue-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11.30pm (sometimes Mons in Dec). Disabled access. Parties - call in adv.
RENATO’S
19 King St, BS1 4EF Tel: 0117 929 8291
• Established for over 30 years and run by the same family as La Taverna Dell’Artista, this cosy, friendly, atmospheric bar-restaurant serves classic, quality Italian fare, with the pizzas providing a fabulous accompaniment to the general bonhomie. The Observer called the place a ‘much-loved favourite’ - and nobody who’s sampled the Renato’s experience could put up any argument to that. With its close links to stars of stage and screen (see photos all around the walls), Renato’s satisfies both culinary and cultural appetites, and is widely regarded as the place to be for any self-respecting thespian who wants to chill out after a night of treading the boards at Bristol Old Vic. Price ALC: 2 £9.50-£13.50, 3 £15-£20 Wine list Big range of classic and unusual Italian regional wines. HW approx £12.50 btl Open Tue-Sat 6-11.30pm, closes later on weekends. Disabled access possible with assistance - no toilets, but normal toilets accessible. Parties 20+ welcome.
RENATO’S NUMERO UNO
203 Whiteladies Rd, Clifton, BS8 2XT Tel: 0117 974 4484
• Consistently (for over 20 years now) serving good Italian food, substantial but not stodgy, and always with charm. Everything is freshly made on the premises, including pasta sauces, soups, pizza dough and puds. Specials board changes daily and, when the restaurant isn’t too busy, special dishes can be flambéed at your table. Lots of fresh seafood (often including sea bass and Dover sole), excellent pizza, pastas, risottos and carnivorous delights. Save room for authentic puds like tiramisu and pavlova. Price ALC: £3-£5/£6.25-£23.75/£4-£5.50. SL: pizza/pasta 2 £6.95 Wine list Mainly Italian, but reasonably varied, plus Italian btld beers. HW £14.50 btl, £4.50 gls, BYO (£2 corkage) Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 6-11pm (11.30pm Fri-Sat), Sun 6-11pm. Disabled access, but no toilet. Student discount 10%. Parties 20+ welcome. Takeaway 20% discount.
SAN CARLO
44 Corn St, BS1 1HQ Tel: 0117 922 6586, web: www.sancarlo.co.uk
• Vast range of Italian goodies served in stylised contemporary surroundings with lots of plants, glass, mirrors and professional pizzazz, and considered one of the top 10 Italian restaurants in the UK by The Times. Huge ALC menu and extensive daily specials, all jollied together by native chefs who deliver the genuine article, from pizza and pasta to great fish dishes, seafood and superb steaks. Veggie selection is equally wide-ranging, and there’s an impressive wine list, too. Price ALC: £5.95-£9.95/£8.95-£24/£4.95 Wine list Specialises in Italian. HW £15 btl, £4.20 gls Open Daily 12noon-11pm. Disabled access (small step into restaurant – staff can assist) & facilities. Private parties by arrangement, up to 70.
SERGIO’S
1-3 Frogmore St, BS1 5NA Tel: 0117 929 1413, web: www.sergios.co.uk
• ‘One of the city‘s most popular Italian restaurants for almost 20 years,’ says the Evening Post - and its popularity sees no signs of dwindling. This traditional Italian restaurant boasts a vast, daily changing menu based around fresh produce and chef’s inspirations. Strong selection of fish dishes, good wine list, and BYO option. Informal and friendly, with good reviews in the Food and Drink Guide for several years. Price ALC: £3-£6/£4.95-£18.95/£4-£5. SL (Mon-Fri): 2 £8.75 Wine list HW £15.95 btl. BYO (corkage £2.50) Open Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm, Mon-Sat 5.30-11pm. Disabled access. Private room for up to 30, entire restaurant can be booked for up to 80 (set menus for parties of 10+).
STRADA
24 Princess Victoria St, Clifton Village, BS8 4BT Tel: 0117 923 7224, web: www.strada.co.uk
• The Bristol branch of this popular upmarket Italian chain has garnered a solid reputation. Sharp and stylish, it excels at dishing up well-priced, high-end Italian trattoria classics. Staff are fast and efficient while remaining friendly, and the whole place buzzes with good vibes and happy chatter. ‘Before you’ve even eaten a mouthful of food, you can understand a large part of Strada’s appeal,’ said our man. ‘It simply feels good to be here.’ Price ALC: £4.95-£6.95/£7.50-£14.95/£3.95-£4.95. SL (weekdays till 5pm): 1 £6.95 Wine list HW £13.95 btl, £3.55 gls. Italian beers Open Mon-Sat 11.30am-11pm, Sun 11.30am-10.30pm. Disabled access. Parties - call in adv. Takeaway.
VALENTINO
124 Stoke Lane, Westbury-on-Trym, BS9 3RJ Tel: 0117 962 3222, web: www.valentinosrestaurantbristol.co.uk
• One of Bristol’s best-kept secrets, this is a gem of a restaurant, beautifully decorated and very pretty inside, with awesome attention paid to menu details. Presided over by two families with a wealth of restaurant experience between them, this is a traditional Italian eating experience suffused with traditional Italian hospitality. Owner and Chef Antonio, who came to England from the Puglia region of Italy, has more than 40 years’ experience of producing tasty, authentic Italian dishes. Immensely popular, weekends are often booked up three weeks in advance. But it’s worth the wait. Fantastic fresh fish selection is worth a special mention. New this year is the fab Sun roast. Price ALC: £4.50-£8.95/£8.95-£16.95/£3-£5. Sun roast £8.95 Wine list HW £12.95 btl, £4.20 gls Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.15pm & 6-10.45pm, Sun 12noon-3pm. Disabled access & toilet. Parties 20+ welcome.
VINCENZO’S PIZZA HOUSE
71 Park St, BS1 5PB Tel: 0117 926 0908, web: www.vincenzos-bristol.co.uk
• Always popular, and an essential Park St stop-off for more years than we can recall. Serves a simple, well-prepared menu of Italian favourites – pizzas are a speciality, and the calzones are pretty good, too. The upper-deck, open-air eating area is great, especially during summer, and there are plenty of people-watching opportunities on offer, with busy Park St as your stage. Booking advised at weekends. Price ALC: £2.20-£9/£7.50-£16/£3.80. SL: pizza/pasta & salad £4.95. Early eve (5-7.30pm): 3 £8.60. SD: 3 £13.50 Wine list HW £12.50 btl, £2.50 gls Open Daily 12noon-12midnight. Disabled access. Takeaway. Parties welcome - call in adv.
ZIO’S
96a Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2QX Tel: 0117 923 8105
• From the traditional decor to the charming Italian waiters, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and the food highly rated by its regular customers, who also appreciate the good value. From your table, you can see the chefs throwing pizza dough around in time-honoured fashion. The ‘alcoholic’ sundae deserves a special mention. Book a table via their spanking new website and receive a free glass of prosecco. Price ALC: £5.95-£8.25/£7.50-£15/£3.75-£4.95. SL: 2 £7.95 Wine list HW £13.95 btl, £3.75 gls Open Mon-Fri 12noon-3pm & 5-11pm, Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10pm. Disabled access. Can seat groups of up to 20.
ZIZZI
Unit SU84B, Glass House, Cabot Circus, BS1 3BX Tel: 0117 929 1066
29-33 Princess Victoria St, Clifton Village, BS8 4BX Tel: 0117 317 9842
7-8 Triangle South, Clifton, BS8 1EY Tel: 0117 929 8700, web: www.zizzi.co.uk
• Smart little Italian restaurant chain with the feel of a family-run restaurant, serving authentic Italian food in a friendly atmosphere. Clifton Village branch is decked out with a traditional pizza oven and sparkling olive vats. A bustling open kitchen serves up fresh, tasty fare, while the wood-fired oven means that the calzones are a treat - and the pizzas aren’t far behind. Good-quality ingredients go into traditional and with-a-twist dishes based on simple, regional Italian cooking, with regular menu updates. Crowd-pleasing pasta and pizza, lots of interesting antipasti and good salads. Lots of offers - see website for details and to book online. Price ALC: £4.85-£6/£6.90-£13.25/£5 Wine list Almost exclusively Italian. HW £13.95 btl, £3.95 gls Open Daily 12noon-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Disabled access. Parties welcome - call in adv.
Bath
AIO
7 Edgar Buildings, George St, BA1 2EE Tel: 01225 443900, web: www.aiorestaurant.co.uk
• Two softly lit, inviting dining rooms, pavement tables and a dinky alfresco patio outback ensure that Aió (Sardinian for ‘come and join us’) lives up to its name. Menus concentrate more on chargrilled protein and interesting carbs (fregola sarda: think couscous with a plumper, softer personality) than prosaic pasta. Fish/meaty grills/excellent veggie options go large. Menu Sardo (3 £27.95) includes flatbread with olives, Sardinian fregola with mixed seafood and a whole roast suckling piglet with rosemary roast potatoes and salad - phwooar! According to Venue’s own little olive, it’s all ‘sparklingly fresh and perfectly cooked’. Price ALC: £5.35-£7.25/£9.95-£18.50/£7 Wine list HW from £14 btl Open Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm, Sat 12noon-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-3pm & 6-10pm. Disabled access. Parties welcome - call in adv.
AQUA ITALIA
86 Walcot St, BA1 5BD Tel: 01225 471371, web: www.aqua-restaurant.com
• From the outside, the Bath incarnation of Aqua (see also Bristol listing) looks like a stone-fronted chapel. Inside, it’s more of a cathedral: cool, chic and candlelit, with subtle chandeliers adding to the understated sense of drama - choose from centre-stage tables or a cosy booth. Downstairs is perfect for big parties (private dining option available) and there’s a pretty little courtyard out back. Bargain-price, dolce vita-themed treats on the popular Aqua Classico selection are reliably good. Price ALC: £3.25-£8.50/£4.95-£13.95/£5.25-£7.50. SM (Aqua Classico: Sun-Fri 12noon-7pm, Sat 12noon-6pm): 2 £11.50. Sun roast £10.95 Wine list Extensive (heavy emphasis on Italian), champagne, cocktails, beers, spirits. HW £15.95 btl Open Restaurant: daily 11am-10pm (10.30pm Fri-Sat). Bar: daily 11.30am-11pm (12midnight Fri-Sat). Disabled access. Parties welcome - call in adv.
ASK
Broad St, BA1 2EH Tel: 01225 789997, web: www.askrestaurants.com
• Quieter little sister to Bristol branch. Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Daily 12noon-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Disabled access. Available for private hire. Parties 20+ welcome - book in adv.
BOTTELINO’S
5 Bladud Buildings, BA1 5LS Tel: 01225 464861, web: www.bottelinos.net
• Family-owned Italian eatery with a jolly reputation for huge portions and massive, crispy-based pizzas. ‘A cheerful family affair,’ said one Venue reviewer. Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.30-11pm, Sun 12noon-6.30pm. Disabled access. Large bookings accommodated, up to 50.
ENZO’S
39 Gay St, BA1 2NT Tel: 01225 427919, web: www.enzo-ristorante.co.uk
• Naples-born globetrotting chef and restaurateur Enzo Piscopo brings his authentically Neapolitan restaurant (a little sister for his original Weymouth venture) to Bath. Menus (and vibe) are authentically Italian, from simple and straightforward (antipasti, risotto, pizza) to sophisticated treats (inc very good fish dishes), all enjoyed in cheerful surroundings against a subtly glamorous backdrop. A family-friendly welcome goes large here. Price ALC: £5.90-£6.95/£7.50-£17.95/£5. SL/SD: offers vary – call for details Wine list HW £14.85 btl Open Mon-Sat 12noon-3pm & 6-11.30pm, Sun 12.30-2.30pm & 6-10pm. Disabled access limited – call in adv. Parties welcome – call in adv.
JAMIE’S ITALIAN
10 Milsom Place, BA1 1BZ Tel: 01225 432340, web: www.jamieoliver.com/italian/bath
• Second branch of a national chain (see also Bristol listing) in the heart of chic shopping complex Milsom Place and supplemented by alfresco dining on the upper-level terrace, overlooking Bath’s historic rooftops. Long queues at peak times, but once you’re seated at a table in any of the four ‘zones’ that combine to create a lively, buzzing ambience at this vibrant, smartly dressed diner, menu highlights include the meat/vegetarian antipasti platter to share, crispy polenta chips, ravioli caramelle, organic buffalo burgers, brick-cooked free-range chicken and Gennaro’s Amalfi orange tart. Menus easily adaptable for kids and those with smaller appetites. Price ALC: antipasti £4-£7/£6.45-£15.95/£4.50-£4.95 Wine list Extensive. HW (Italian, organic, eco-friendly) £21 ltr, £15.85 btl, £11.60 500ml, £4.45 gls Open Daily 10am-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Call ahead for disabled access. Large groups welcome, bookings taken only for groups of 8+.
MARTINI
8-9 George St, BA1 2EH Tel: 01225 460818, web: www.martinirestaurantbath.com
• Long-standing Bath institution, popular with families, tourists and large groups of merrymakers. Huge portions of Italian and Mediterranean specialities served in convivial surroundings, buoyed along by a large wine selection and welcoming hosts, all within a collection of atmospheric spaces, each offering an intimacy that belies the fact that Martini is actually a bit of a Tardis. Continental brasserie-style decor uses dark wood, gold handrails and artfully distressed paintwork to their best advantage. Menus revolve around pasta, pizzas, risotto, fish, vegetarian options, salads and frequently changing specials, resulting in ‘a lovely, lively experience’ for our own little gnocchi. Price ALC: antipasti £5.50-£8.95/£8.25-£17.95/£6. Espresso lunch (Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6-6.30pm): 2 £8.50, 3 £9.95 Wine list HW (Italian classics) £11.50 btl Open Mon-Fri 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm, Sat 12noon-10.30pm, Sun 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10pm. Call ahead for disabled access. Parties 20+ welcome - call in adv.
MEZZALUNA
7a Kingsmead Square, BA1 2AB Tel: 01225 466688, web: www.mezzaluna-bath.co.uk
• Traditional Italian bistro serving traditional Italian cuisine, with regularly changing specials board supplementing the classics. Price ALC: £3.95-£6.25/£6.95-£17.50/£3.95-£4.75. SL: 2 £8.95, 3 £10.95. SD: 2 £13.95, 3 £15.95 Wine list HW approx £12 btl. Italian beers Open Mon-Sat 12noon-2.30pm & 5.45-10.30pm. Disabled access – call for advice. Parties – call in adv.
PIAZZA RISTORANTE
The Podium, Northgate St, BA1 5AL Tel: 01225 429299, web: www.caffepiazza.co.uk
• A water feature and lots of greenery plus big window frontage give an alfresco feel to proceedings at this bright, contemporary Italian trattoria on the upper level of a shopping centre, where Italian-themed menus feature lots of pizza, pasta, fish and meat dishes (inc classic antipasti selection and excellent steaks), plus breakfast (English, continental, till 11.30am) and afternoon tea/coffee with pastries. Particularly welcoming to families (kids get their own menu), and popular with a younger/coupley crowd on weekday eves, with parties at weekends. Price ALC: £3.95-£6.95/£7-£15/£5. SL/SD: wallet-friendly offers vary - see website Wine list HW from £12 btl Open Daily 8.45am-10.30pm (1pm Sun). Good disabled access, with toilet & lifts. Sections of restaurant for private hire, up to 50. Parties 20+ welcome.
PIZZAEXPRESS
1-3 Barton St, BA1 1HG Tel: 01225 420119
NEW 8 SouthGate Place, BA1 1AP Tel: 01225 442111, web: www.pizzaexpress.com
• Bath now has two versions of this popular Italian-themed chain, with pavement seating at both. Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Call branch direct for details. Disabled access at both branches. Parties welcome - call in adv.
PIZZA HUT
1-3 Westgate Buildings, BA1 1EB Tel: 01225 448586, web: www.pizzahut.co.uk
• Chain restaurant offering pizza, pasta, salads, value-for-money deals and takeaway/delivery. Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Mon-Thur 11.30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12midnight, Sun 12noon-11pm. Disabled access & toilets. Large-print menu. Takeaway. Parties 20+ welcome - notify in adv.
REAL ITALIAN PIZZA CO
16 York St, BA1 1NG Tel: 01225 330121
• Buzzing contemporary pizzeria with bright, breezy ambience and a colourful open kitchen. To the rear, the lack of panoramic cityscape views from the walled terrace is compensated for by close proximity to the abbey, which looms over a space for some 40+ diners. ‘The wood-fired pizzas are proper Italian beauties: fresh, crisp bases topped with sauce made of freshly macerated vine tomatoes, with proper mozzarella melting among your toppings of choice,’ said one happy Eating Out West reviewer. Salads are good too, and ice-creams come from the Real Italian Ice Cream Co next door. A more sophisticated experience on a similar theme is available at the Real Italian Bar & Kitchen (see Bars, Bath). Price ALC: approx 3 £20. Pizza/pasta £6.95 Wine list HW approx £11.50 btl Open Daily 11am-11pm. Wheelchair accessible (but one small step to main entrance). Group bookings - call in adv.
NEW RUSTICO BISTRO ITALIANO
2 Margarets Buildings, BA1 2LPTel: 01225 310064, web: www.rusticobistroitaliano.co.uk
• Utterly gorgeous, welcoming Italian bistro overseen by Bergamo-born brothers Darix and Franco Cinesi. Small but perfectly formed menu infuses fully authentic, freshly prepared, classic Italian dishes (soups, fresh pasta, fish, seafood, meat, poultry, risotto) with an up-to-the-minute zeitgeist based around intelligent sourcing and contemporary flair. Pavement seating on pretty, traffic-free lane outfront. Price ALC: £5.95-£6.95/£7.95-£16.95/£7. SL/SD: 2 £9.95 Wine list Small but carefully considered. HW from £14 btl Open Daily 12noon-2.30pm & 6-10.30pm. Disabled access, but not to toilet. Room for private hire, up to 24. Parties 20+ welcome.
SOLO PIZZA
2 Milsom Place, BA1 1BZ Tel: 01225 444439
• A table on the lively alfresco courtyard to the front of this contemporary Italian pizzeria at the heart of the chic Milsom Place complex is the best place to enjoy excellent coffee, Italian pastries, etc, at breakfast/tea-time and properly authentic pizzas, fresh salads, etc, as the day rolls on. Price antipasti/salads/light bites from £4/main £6.95-£12.95 Wine list HW approx. £13 btl Open Daily 10am-10.30pm. Disabled access. Takeaway.
STRADA
Beau Nash House, Sawclose, BA1 1EU Tel: 01225 337753, web: www.strada.co.uk
• Set in rather grand surroundings, the modern-day intimate atmosphere in this contemporary Italian trattoria (with alfresco) belies the fact that it’s actually part of a small national franchise group. See also Bristol listing. Price/Wine list See Bristol listing Open Daily 11.30am-11pm (10.30pm Sun). Disabled access. Parties – call in adv.
VITO’S
12 Argyle St, BA2 4BQ Tel: 01225 423481, web: www.vitositalianrestaurantinbath.co.uk
• Friendly, traditional, family-run trattoria specialising in authentic tastes from the Puglia region. Making good use of the cosy subterranean location, the ambience (cosy, cheerful, welcoming) matches the menus, which feature the kind of classic Italian delights that Sophia Loren’s figure was allegedly built on - just make sure you leave room for a proper Italian pud. Price ALC: £3-£10.95/£9-£17/£4.95-£5.80 Wine list Predominantly Italian. HW approx £12 btl. Open Wed-Mon 6-10.30pm (last orders). Disabled access past small step on Spring Gardens Rd entrance. Parties welcome - notify in adv.
|
