Cribbs Causeway, British, Modern Restaurant Guide

2022 Review: “Recently opened of all places in a retirement village” – a modern development of 64 apartments in Redland – “but open to the public”: this September 2020 newcomer is run by local caterers CleverChefs and occupies a light-filled space with open kitchen overlooking an arboretum garden. Open from breakfast and throughout the day, it wins strong early feedback for “assured cooking at reasonable prices”.

“A combination of casual style and fine dining” – Jan Ostle & Mary Wilson’s modern bistro in Redland is “well worth seeking out” for the “always excellent, ethically unquestionable” cooking (much of it using home-grown produce) that they’re “always pushing to improve”. “The food is most definitely refined but the venue, a small Victorian shop in a shabby-chic part of Bristol, is relaxed and the vibe is more cafe than restaurant”. “At lunchtime, you can opt for a cut-down tasting menu which is great value at this level”.

2020 Review: “Elegant and imaginative cuisine” and an excellent standard of service again won nothing but rave reviews for James Wilkins & Christine Vayssade’s small restaurant in a Redland sidestreet, whose ambiance was “greatly improved” a couple of years ago “with a new feature street-art wall and intimate décor”. But in October 2019, the pair put it up for sale in order to pursue an opportunity overseas: hence we’ve removed the rating for now.

“Standards remain consistently high” at this Redland boozer – “part of the Pony and Trap Group” and offering “a step above pub food” (though not straying from the classics and laying on proper Sunday roasts). Top Tip – “there are two rooms upstairs you can have for exclusive use of groups”.

“Outstanding food” – “both interesting and tasty” – is on the menu at this small independent in Stokes Croft from founders who cut their teeth at the late, lamented Wallfish Bistro, Craig Summers & part-time actor Giles Coram. “Don’t like crab in general but months later I’ve not forgotten the race to extract as much tasty buttery goodness as possible before the plate was taken away!”

It’s “slightly surreal watching swimmers while eating a selection of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern tapas” at this restored Grade II-listed mid-Victorian swimming pool in Clifton, which offers a “warm welcome and some very accommodating touches”. “Great breakfasts and small plates” are available poolside and fuller meals served upstairs, with windows overlooking the pool. “Overall it’s pleasant but not perhaps memorable”.

This Clifton late-2022 newcomer serves brunch all day and Asian dishes in the evenings. No feedback as yet, but if Bristol Live are to be believed it’s a promising new option on this well-known restaurant strip that’s something of a “hotspot” at weekends.