Restaurant review: Townhouse, Bristol.

Yesterday was my second visit to Townhouse on the Whiteladies Road. Once again the standard of food served was so high that I felt it was now necessary to write a review on it.

The front view of the restaurant.
 

Yesterday we went to Townhouse for brunch to celebrate a friends birthday. We had already looked at the menu online which looked amazing, however we were disappointed to find that half the online menu was not on the restaurant menu. Never-the-less, when we ordered out food this proved not to be an issue at all- everything was incredible. I went for a muffin with 2 poached eggs, large roasted field mushrooms and roasted tomato. Everything was cooked to perfection and it tasted delicious.

Poached eggs on a muffin with mushrooms and tomato.



Dishes other friends had included Eggs Royale, Sausage Sandwich, Eggs Benedict and Fried egg with bacon and toast. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and really went out of their way to make us feel welcome without being intrusive.

All the girls at Brunch.

My visit to Townhouse prior to this one had also been equally as incredible. I went for one of my housemates birthdays along with his parents and a few other friends. We got there for 6:45 so we could make the 3 courses for £10 deal that Townhouse have on every weekday evening before 7pm.
Normally with these sorts of deals they often want you to have eaten and left the restaurant by 7pm, and the portion sizes tend to be small. Neither of these issues were the case at Townhouse. The menu was very extensive with good sized portions, and we were able to stay for as long as we wanted.
I ordered scallops in a creamy sauce with bacon to start, moules-frites for main, followed by a delicious apple and blackberry crumble to complete it off (not to mention the birthday cake that followed that.) It is fair to say by the end of the night I was VERY full.

The delicious apple and blackberry crumble I had.
 

All in all I have been thoroughly impressed by both my visits to Townhouse recently. Not only has the food been delicious and great value for money, but also the staff have been very friendly which really makes such a difference. I will be back!

MM xx

Restaurant Review: Moreish, Bristol

There is often very little to do in Bristol at the weekends, so I tend to take up my Saturday and Sunday mornings trying all the different brunch places Bristol has to offer (see previous review of Deco Lounge). Yesterday I went with 3 friends to test out Moreish which is located on 6 Chandos Road in Redlands (the heart of where Bristol University student's live in 2nd year.) There was a wide selection on the menu, and prices were actually very reasonable. I went for a delicious portion of french toast with maple syrup and banana. The french toast was thick and crispy, yet still light and not stodgy. There was just the right ratio of maple syrup and banana also. 

My delicious french toast- £4.95!

Outside view of Moreish.

Two of my friends went for the Eggs Benedict (a delicious combination of thick cut toast, two poached eggs, parma ham and plenty of hollandaise sauce), whilst another friend had some incredible looking pancakes (Crêpe not American style) with maple syrup and multiple rashers of bacon. 
Other options on the menu included a full english (and a vegetarian one), Eggs Florentine and Eggs Royale, and homemade granola with natural yoghurt and honey. 
Moreish is not only a brunch place- it offers a good lunch menu (with a wonderful build your own sandwich deal), tapas deals from Monday to Thursday, and a wonderful dinner menu. They are currently taking bookings for Christmas and have a great Christmas menu on offer, and trust me this is somewhere that you want to book in advance for!

Here is a link to their website. So, if you are in or around Bristol I highly recommend paying Moreish a visit. And those students that are on a budget, Moreish is a great place to bring the parents too!  

MM xx

Yume Kitchen Bristol - Restaurant Review

I must admit, it has been a rather long time since my last blog post- not only has University work taken over my life slightly, but I also thought it's not very interesting for you to read about what life is like in the University of Bristol Geography Library!However, yesterday I went out for supper with a friend to Yume Kitchen (which means 'Dream Kitchen' in Japanese), which is based in the Clifton Down area of Bristol. We had our eye on the restaurant for a while, and we finally decided that we needed a little extravagance in our lives and so decided to make the trip!The restaurant itself is rather small, however whenever I walk past I have never seen it completely jammed packed, so I would say there is no need to book (this is not however a reflection of poor quality food as you are about to hear). The menu has a huge variety, and we both thought that prices were rather good, especially when you compare it to any sushi restaurants you would visit it London such as Nobu or Sushi Samba. I decided to go for a takeaway box (even though I ate in) of mixed fish sushi. This was mainly because I was craving the seaweed and edamame beans that came with this box and doesn't come when ordering from the restaurant menu. I have to say even though not made there on the spot for me the assorted fish rolls were just delicious and really hit the spot. My friend Niamh went for the salmon and tuna nigiri (5 pieces) and the fish maki (12 small pieces). I have to say I did have a bit of food envy as hers did look incredible, and especially as it was made fresh to order for her. She also had a green tea to accompany this, and her bill only came to £11- for the hardcore sushi lovers amongst you will realise she got quite a good deal!

Niamh with her Maki and Nigiri

Close up of the delicious sushi!

Sushi was not the only thing Yume Kitchen had to offer on the menu- there is also plenty of hot dishes from curries to noodles, as well as multiple different side dishes, drinks and desserts. Unlike many of the cafes/ restaurants in Cotham, Yume Kitchen is open both through out the day and the night, therefore there is no excuse not to check it out. I am already looking forward to my next visit...though I am not sure I will branch away from the sushi on the menu, its was just too delicious! 

Here is the link to their website - pop in and give it a try!

MM xx

Spa/Restaurant Review of the Lido, Bristol

After a delicious brunch at Deco Lounge (see my previous post) we continued my friends birthday celebrations by treating ourselves and heading to the spa and restaurant the Lido in Bristol. Having been voted 'UK Best Restaurant' runner up in the Observer Food Monthly Awards we were expecting great things- and by no means were we disappointed. 

  When we arrived three of my friends headed to the spa, whilst myself and another friend headed  to test out the award winning restaurant. Due to having just consumed a very large brunch neither of us were therefore very hungry, and so we decided to stick to the tapas menu. I ordered a glass of the house red wine, and then between us went for some delicious giant marinated olives, Spanish tortilla and some deep friend tiger prawns with sweet harissa. Due to so many tempting things on the menu we couldn't resist then going on to order some patatas bravas and a quince tart even though we were both incredibly stuffed already. When our friends emerged from their swim they ordered bread and oil, a charcuterie board and some delicious looking pineapple and cucumber coolers.

A selection of the food we ordered

Delicious Quince Tart

The extensive tapas menu

                                     
  The Restaurant, which covered two levels was in prime location overlooking the outdoor pool of the spa. Those that swam were very positive about the spa itself, saying there was a great sauna, steam room and jacuzzi on offer. The only negative comments they had was that they found the outdoor pool itself slightly cold, and that the main changing rooms were outside and so therefore getting changed in the middle of winter wasn't the nicest experience! There were indoor changing rooms, however there was a lack of benches to put clothes on when you were changing so instead they would get wet on the floor. Building works are currently underway to create an end of pool terrace which will further extend the cafe/restaurant area for guests.

The view of the pool from the restaurant

                                                                         

All in all we came out of the Lido feeling very happy and refreshed. If you want a true spa experience then this may not be the best of places for you, and you may be better of travelling further afield to Thermae Bath Spa in (unsurprisingly)Bath! However, if you fancy mixing swimming with a relaxing cup of tea and cake from the cafe, or a delicious meal in a top notch restaurant then the Lido is really what you are looking for. I look forward to my return trip!

MM xx