Where have you eaten out lately?

[Loralei]

The dahl was bland, the aubergine curry didn't appear to have any aubergine in (except for the roasted baby one used as a garnish, which was delicious) and was hot without actually being tasty, and the amazing crunchy salad it comes with is now tiny; literally two forkfuls (it used to be about 1/5 of the meal). The service was rubbish too: one lovely but overworked woman and a young bloke who sort of wafted around ignoring everyone. And no chocolate kulfi :cry:. I had the pistachio, which was nice but had bloody aniseed sprinkles on :verm:.

[Kenickie]

That's a shame, Lora. It's really frustrating when places go downhill and you're not sure whether to give them another chance or not.

[Cosmopolitan]

Oh that's a massive pity, I am sad for your wasted calories and rubbish meal. Next time, try Nutmeg in Clifton village, it's so much better than anywhere else in Bristol for indian food that I've tried at least.

[Loralei]

I will Cos, thanks, although the beauty of this place is that it's on a bus route. We have an excellent Indian within walking distance but thought we'd go somewhere different.

[Tits McGee]

M and I went for lunch for our anniversary yesterday at Alchemilla in the west end of Glasgow, and it was fantastic. I didn't take pictures :cry: but for spreadsheet purposes I had smoked haddock carpaccio, M had polenta with gorgonzola, and we shared focaccia, artichoke and braised hispi cabbage. We're already planning our next visit. :))

[Kenickie]

Oooh, I saw an enthusiastic Jay Rayner review of there the other day. It sounds lovely.

[Tits McGee]

Oooh, I saw an enthusiastic Jay Rayner review of there the other day. It sounds lovely.

Yes! I hadn’t heard much about it until I read that review.

[Kenickie]

I read it and got sad that I don't have trips there anymore. :lol:

[Kenickie]

I'm thinking of going here tonight: https://www.bratrestaurant.com/

[Derek Nimmo]

That looks fantastic Ken - please do and report back!

Recently, I've been to Goemon (a Korean ramen bar down the road, no frills, absolutely delicious), Fourth & Church (excellent bar and small plates sort of place in hove, if anyone goes I recommend the chicken liver parfait in particular) and Sorrel in Dorking.

We had the tasting menu and it was all very pretty but cost a kings ransom for the smallest of foods and a week or so on I can't remember a thing I ate so overall not a recommendation.

[Blondiejude]

We were away at the weekend and ate at Bills for the first time ever (mainly because there was one next door to the hotel and we had a very hungry tired 5yr old) it was lovely, I had the buttermilk chicken burger with jalapeno coleslaw and added cheese and it was GORGEOUS my only criticism was it came with sweet potato fries which I hate but that was my fault for forgetting to ask them to swap them. We also shared small plates of the honey sausages and calamari which were both lovely. We ended up going there both nights which isn't something I would normally do, the first night I had the Bill's burger which was also very nice.

Mr had the ribs the first night which he said were some of the best he's ever had, not fatty and very tender. The second night he had the thai green curry which he also said was lovely (and he's usually very critical of curry).

S had macaroni cheese off the kids menu the first night which was ok, the second night she had the fish finger sandwich off the main menu and we just asked them not to put the tartare sauce etc on and she ate the lot. I'd definitely go back.

I never really rate the kids menu's in places, to be honest I'd rather just pay the extra to get her something off the main menu despite the fact she probably won't be able to eat it all, kids menus here always tend to be very bland, or all chicken nuggets/sausage/pasta in tomato sauce.

[Cosmopolitan]

I went to the Ethicurian, which is a kitchen garden restaurant just south of Bristol, and it was amazing. Beautiful environment and views, stunning food, nice service, really comfortable.
I had a pea & lovage mousse to start and the a duck & beetroot dish as a main. I also learned that peacles are pickled peas and are delicious.

[smalex]

I KEEP meaning to go there... and then don't. That looks gorgeous.

[Cosmopolitan]

It's so worth going there in the summer because the gardens are basically brilliant then. It's just great.

[emma_p]

It looks absolutely beautiful, Cos.

[Derek Nimmo]

It really does - like le manoir but without the insane prices.

[Kenickie]

That does look very pretty.

Brat was amazing. Welsh influence (so Carmarthen rather than Parma ham which was delicious) and most things cooked on flames (including the best toast I've ever had). It's named after turbot and lots of the reviews were about the whole flame grilled one. I had another white fish instead, and also the lamb for mains. The fish was the best white fish I've ever had because of the smokiness, but the lamb blew me away even more, so I'd stick to red meat for mains if I went again.

I would show pictures but they're not uploading. I didn't bother with dessert as it wasn't massively exciting and I was quite full after appetizers, starters and mains.

[Cosmopolitan]

It really does - like le manoir but without the insane prices.

Yes, quite a lot more casual as well, in a nice way rather than just a bit slack. It's just charming basically.

[smalex]

How does it compare with The Pig? It seems like quite a similar concept, although maybe the Pig doesn't do quite such high end food.

[Kenickie]

Ok it's letting me upload now.

So:

Appetisers.jpg

Camarthen ham and kale (the kale was done really nicely but ultimately, I could have just done with a plate of the ham)
Smoked cod's roe on toast (the toast was amazing)
Rabbit sauasge, blood sausage, beans (the rabbit was one of the nicest things I've ever eaten)

Starters.jpg

Crab and fennel (the brown meat was underneath)
Steak tartare (delicious, very mustardy. I'm not a fan of just being given raw veg though [the radishes])

Mains.jpg

Lemon sole, lamb, smoked potatoes (these were brilliant).

I am definitely returning.