Friday 21 October 2011

Bristol, the gastronomic experiences


Where to Stay


Radisson Blu Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel bedroom
The latest addition to the Bristol hotel scene within a reclad 1960s office block in the city centre.
The views from the upper floor bedrooms are spectacular overlooking the Quay.
The rooms are well designed and furnished but the air conditioning is noisy and ineffective. The bathroom design/ layout could be better but these are minor gripes.
Bar and restaurant are warm and welcoming serving above average food .
However the lifts here are a nightmare and the building/ lift  contractor needs to get his act together as the lifts have been only working intermittently since this hotel opened.

Brooks Guest House Bristol
Brooks Guest House Courtyard
 Close to St Nicholas Market this bijou hotel is a real find.
The owner Carla Brooks showed us around the well decorated establishment.
Bedrooms on the ground floor are on the smallish side but are very inviting and comfortable. However the bathrooms more than compensate for this.
We will stay here on our next visit to Bristol as it is close to all local amenities and has a homely touch
 
Where to Eat


Brasserie Blanc Bristol
Brasserie Blanc
Located in Cabot Circus this is a welcome addition to the Blanc chain. Situated in the former Bakers and Cutlers Halls the room is magnificent and retains a lot of the original fittings and plasterwork combined with contemporary furnishings  to create a warm and attractive space.
We had a superb and enthusiastic waitress who talked us through the menu.
I had a fillet steak with chips perfectly cooked the way I like it medium rare and my partner had the Octopus salad which was beautifully presented. 
I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant and will return next time I am in Bristol.
  
Casamia Restaurant Westbury on Trym
Casamia
 Casamia is a truly stunning Michelin starred restaurant run by two young chefs who are clearly passionate about food and its presentation.You enter via a small and attractive alleyway and pass the kitchens on the way to the main entrance.
The dining room is simply furnished with white washed walls with a few pictures of Italian scenes here and there - similar to a local trattoria. But there the similarity ends.
The staff are very knowledgable about the menus and the wines to accompany each course. Tables are well spaced and covered in freshly laundered crisp linen.
The food is superb and served with a theatrical flourish.We had a conversation with the young chefs who are clearly influenced by the EL Bulli restaurant in Spain and are  keen to experiment with food and its flavours. Even the breads deserve a special mention .
This is not an inexpensive establishment but in this reviewers opinion is worth every penny.
An upstairs dining area was due to open in the late summer and we will be back to investigate further.

Spyglass Bristol BBQ boat


I just I am going to quote the welcome Spyglass webpage " this lively waterside restaurant has become a Bristol institution, serving an assortment of meat and fresh fish from the grill to create their popular signature dishes with some new and exciting options thrown in for good measure" because is really true and honest with the place we had a fantastic piri-piri chicken and Cuban burger in an environment that remind me a Caribbean tavern full of people having a great and fun dinner out.


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