A taste of Bristol

Wednesday night was date night. I love living in Bristol because when I say "shall we go out?" it takes so long to decide that, by the time we've shortlisted, the gravitational pull of Bedminster ASDA threatens to rear its ugly head. I think we can do better than that.

For the daytimes us Bristol folk are blessed with Pieminster pies - the ultimate comfort food but with the added bonus of feeding the river cottage generation: free range meat, local produce and founded in the fine city of Bristol. The best way to enjoy it? St Nick's Market: Chicken of Aragon on mash, minty mushy peas and red wine gravy. So beautiful a meal it'd make a mute of Bernard Matthews.

But, and not that I'd complain, Bristol's not all about the pies.

Last night I made yet another new discovery. A middleweight clifton-posh but perfectly tasty three course meal: replenished water, cosy atmosphere, attentive, friendly and relaxed staff - all for £13 a head. This winning venue was The Picture House on Whiteladies Road. The result was an unpretentious meal so satisfying, it made a Tuesday feel like a Friday. Try next door for a slightly more decadent find, The Cowshed, where a £10 set lunch of slightly smaller portions serves up one of the best rump steaks I've ever eaten.

Back into the centre of Bristol, the Raj has well and truly pushed aside my penchant for Chinese takeaway and replaced it with sit-down Indian fare - the gorgeously-garlicky Chicken Palak Sag and warm doughy Peshwari Naan to be precise. On film night with friends it fell to me to place "the biggest takeaway order they'd ever received" - the result was every bit as tasty and included service with a smile even on our massive 'going for an English' scale. 

Fresh in my mind these are the new finds but lest I forget some firm favourites: The Olive Shed - perfect for a bowl of green by the river in the sunshine, even better for a slap-up night out with sharer plates and a big fish platter; El Puerto - with as much Spanish spice in the service as the tapas; Obento - perfect sushi in or out and, if that's not enough, they've only got bloody karaoke upstairs!; and finally, for a bit of luxury...Hotel Du Vin - two words, lemon posset.

I feel 'a taste of Bristol: part two' coming on already. Bootiful. 
N x