• Added: 1st of July 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Restaurants

Bristol BS1 4RB
0117 914 4434

evilkitten said

A nice restaurant with nice food, but with a fantastic setting. In the summer, the terrace at the back of the restaurant overlooks the docks, giving a relaxing view of the world passing by. It's certainly quieter and more relaxed than the Severn Shed next door.

The food is modern bistro, with some interesting twists; the homemade bread is particularly recommended.

Excellent wine list.

• Added: 1st of July 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Restaurants

Bristol BS6 5QP
0117 907 7932

evilkitten said

Very good caribbean food, and good service. The atmostphere of the restaurant is slightly odd though; very white, minimalist decor, with a lot of space between the tables means that the dining experience can be a bit clinical, not something that I would have associated with caribbean food.

• Added: 24th of June 2007
• Area: Tignes
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Tignes 73320

evilkitten said

Excellent for apres ski, but a bit pricy.

• Added: 24th of June 2007
• Area: Benodet
• Category: Restaurants

Benodet

evilkitten said
La Plage, Benodet.
I know it's in another country, but the experience was just too interesting not to share with others. Perhaps someone's going on holiday to Benodet - if so, I can recommend the restaurant two doors down.

La Plage is an example of a restaurant that has a prime location, and so a high passing trade from tourists. We were seduced by the outside (yet covered) seating, and their willingness to accept two pushchairs.

I'd specifically chosen the restaurant as I wanted to enjoy the Brittany experience of Moules Mariniere. They were on the menu, and the blackboard, but sadly, our waiter informed us, not available today. Not to worry - with two infants installed in high-chairs, we weren't going anywhere. We ordered drinks, which arrived promptly, if a little inaccurately. I wanted cider, I got wine ... again, these things are not to be fussed over.

From there, things got worse. I won't bore with details, but

- We were served mains twice, rather than main, then dessert,

- The food was overcooked,

- Getting a knife and fork required more effort than it should have done,

- The bill was wrong.

Avoid.

• Added: 9th of June 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bristol BS16 7AJ

evilkitten said
Plastic Pub
As pubs go, it's OK. Part of a small chain, it has a fairly standard menu of pub food, i.e. chips with everything, and a high fat, sugar & salt content. Some of the food can be a little alarming: I ordered a chilli burger, expecting a burger with chilli sauce - I got a burger with chilli-con-carne on top. It may just be me, but putting minced beef on top of minced beef didn't strike me as the most sensible culinary decision.

Food aside, the bar serves Wychwood Hobgoblin, for which we will overlook some of the gastronomic sins.

• Added: 9th of June 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Restaurants

Bristol BS6 5QB
0117 924 0357

evilkitten said
Tries too hard
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.

• Added: 9th of June 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Bristol BS16 3BS

evilkitten said
Fishponds culture
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.

• Added: 8th of June 2007
• Area: Ilkley
• Category: Restaurants

Ilkley LS29 8DQ

evilkitten said

The best fish & chips in Ilkley.

• Added: 8th of June 2007
• Area: Skipton
• Category: Bars and Pubs

Skipton BD23 6LT

evilkitten said
The definitive gastropub
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.

• Added: 8th of June 2007
• Area: Bristol
• Category: Restaurants

Bristol BS5 6HY

evilkitten said
The best vegetarian restaurant
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/