Latest favourites and wishlist by evilkitten

Cafe Maitreya - review by Roudh

Sat, 09 Aug 2008 17:57:06 +0000

Cafe Maitreya - review by Roudh

Rating: 4.7

Location: 89 St Marks Road, BS5 6HY, Bristol, United Kingdom

Tags: romantic, pretentious, crowded, expensive

This is the best place to go if you want the best vegan food - The only problem is that you do pay for it; a little dear for this student's over draft.

Bell's Diner - review by helenleckie

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 12:57:41 +0000

Bell's Diner - review by helenleckie

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1-3 York Road, BS6 5QB, Bristol, United Kingdom

Phone: 0117 924 0357

Website: http://www.bellsdiner.co.uk

Tags: modern, adventurous, british, international, good value

I ate here on 5th December 2007. My birthday in fact.

It was a satisfactory birthday meal, although every dessert was Christmas-related, which made me feel a bit less special.

The food is nice, and they tried some adventurous techniques. The chef is of the Fat Duck, Heston Blumenthal school of experimental cooking. To me the techniques and slightly odd flavours did not really make them taste too different from a regular dish. On one dish they had slivers of ?was it salmon tartare? with cubes of tea jelly. (I may have this slightly wrong but this is what I remember). Unfortunately the jelly was very mildly flavoured and did not stand up to the strong fish.

It was, however, all very tasty, and reasonably priced for an avant-garde (?sp?) eatery. The a la carte menu averaged about Â£30 per person for three courses, excluding drinks. Speaking of which, I was a little disappointed by the rough fitou we had with our meal, but I have to admit we probably did not pair it very well.

The location causes concern for some, in a back street of Montpelier, but I felt safe enough there, and the ambience inside is welcoming and not at all stuffy.

The Angel Inn - review by brookontheroad

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 14:33:29 +0000

The Angel Inn - review by brookontheroad

Rating: 3.0

Location: Hetton, BD23 6LT, Skipton, United Kingdom

Average to weak service plus food that was patchy but largely way below par. Not what we were expecting from a not-cheap establishment with a fine reputation.

And then, when we complained, this is what they said:

"I am sorry you felt disappointed with your visit. We take all comments seriously and these matters have been addressed with the relevant staff. However I must point out that in the Bar Brasserie the level of service is not as high as in the Restaurant.

I regret that we disappointed you on this occasion."

This response is even less impressive than the food.

Porto Lounge - review by manimagica

Tue, 26 Jun 2007 17:56:46 +0000

Porto Lounge - review by manimagica

Rating: 3.0

Location: 765 Fishponds Road, BS16 3BS, Bristol, United Kingdom

Yeah cool place have been going there for over a year now, though only due to the fact there was nowhere else in the area that is decent. My only issue with this place is the staff have never been very friendly and not just with me!!! Even closer to UWE is Robusto Cafe bar on Filton Avenue. Similiar vibe and very busy but they have an open mic and are a little more into their music.

Bell's Diner - review by evilkitten

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:14:47 +0000

Bell's Diner - review by evilkitten

Rating: 4.0

Location: 1-3 York Road, BS6 5QB, Bristol, United Kingdom

Phone: 0117 924 0357

Website: http://www.bellsdiner.co.uk

Tags: cosy, british, pretentious, expensive, french, good food

I'd seen this restaurant mentioned in several national publications, not to mention BA's inflight magazine, and was determined to try it out.

I can see what the fuss is about; the restaurant has a lovely cosy feel to it, and the food is very, very good. I can't fault it, in fact.

There is, however, a problem with Bell's Diner, and that is that it tries too hard. Just because it is possible to create parsnip and tobacco ice-cream doesn't mean it is a good idea. The menu is littered with these gastronomic land mines, and it is difficult to pick a meal without chosing something that perhaps you wouldn't elsewhere.

Porto Lounge - review by evilkitten

Sat, 09 Jun 2007 14:09:22 +0000

Porto Lounge - review by evilkitten

Rating: 3.0

Location: 765 Fishponds Road, BS16 3BS, Bristol, United Kingdom

Tags: friendly, convivial, students, crowded, cafe, comfy sofas, brasserie

Moving away from the usual squalid pubs and greasy cafes of Fishponds, the Porto Lounge provides a slightly more upmarket cafe/bar/restaurant for locals and the students of nearby UWE.

A sister restaurant of the 'Tinto Lounge' in Gloucester Road, the Porto Lounge offers a good choice of well cooked pub food, and a good selection of lagers and wine.

The Lounge itself has a very laid-back environment; wooden tables, leather sofas and pew-style chairs give a mediterranean feel. My only criticism of the environment is that it can become very smoky, but with the forthcoming change in the law, this will cease to be an issue.

I recommend the Porto Lounge for a lazy Sunday cup of coffee, or a mid-day meal.

The Angel Inn - review by evilkitten

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:41:04 +0000

The Angel Inn - review by evilkitten

Rating: 3.0

Location: Hetton, BD23 6LT, Skipton, United Kingdom

Tags: lively, gastro pub, traditional pub, independent pub

A fantastic gastropub; eat in the bar rather than the restaurant. Fish is always a good option here, and the sticky toffee pudding is by far the best I've had. Good selection of wines and beers.

Cafe Maitreya - review by evilkitten

Fri, 08 Jun 2007 11:11:53 +0000

Cafe Maitreya - review by evilkitten

Rating: 4.7

Location: 89 St Marks Road, BS5 6HY, Bristol, United Kingdom

Tags: vegetarian, vegan, local produce, good value, organic, cafe

This fantastic vegetarian restaurant is the Which? vegetarian restaurant of the year, and the winner of the vegetarian Observer Food Awards 2007. It is the top uk vegetarian restaurant as judged by the Vegetarian Society. Given the exceptional quality of the food, and the friendly atmostphere, it is easy to understand why.

The restaurant itself is relatively small, probably accommodating a maximum of around thirty people. The kitchen forms a part of the main restaurant. Coulours are fresh, and the tables are very cafe style, which makes for an easy, chatty atmostphere.

Cafe Maitreya prides itself on its food credentials, and the food is locally sourced and organic where possible. The restaurant is entirley vegetarian, and also caters for vegans. There is a good selection of food for those with dietary intolerances. The food is cooked with a lot of care, with delicate flavours being drawn out of the ingredients. The canapes and palate cleansers help diners to appreciate the individual flavours.

Given the quality of the food, the prices are extermely reasonable; expect to pay around £20 per head for the three course meal. Even if you're not a lentil-botherer usually, I recommend putting your carnivore principles aside, and booking a table.

http://www.cafemaitreya.co.uk/