Bristol's food glorious food

In this ‘golden age of dining’, eating out in a restaurant is no longer reserved for special occasions and with increasing preoccupation with local, organic and sustainable produce, food and drink is a hot topic in today’s society.

Bristol is known for its numerous food festivals which fill the summer months and with news that a new Wine and Food Fair will be greeting Bristolians this summer, the city’s focus on good food and drink is clear to see.

Food for thought
The season of food starts with The Bristol Vegan Fayre (31 May- 01 June 2008), which brings 10,000 people to the 170+ stalls covering all aspects of the vegan lifestyle from cookery demonstrations and caterers to an ethical fashion show and live bands, so even if you are not a vegan there is plenty to keep you occupied.

The new Bristol Wine and Food Fair will be held in July (11 July – 13 July 2008) and is expecting to attract 15,000 people to the three day event, showcasing the best wine, fine dining and good food. It will also take the opportunity to reflect on the excellent produce available in the South West and the talented chefs who work in the area. With over 600 wines and world renowned wine merchants and top local restaurants offering master classes, there is sure to be something to fill every appetite.

At the peak of summer, the EDF Energy Bristol Harbourside Festival (01 August – 03 August 2008) is the city’s liveliest and largest harbourside event. Although not a specific food occasion, the French market selling continental produce is a great accompaniment to the entertainment both on and off the water.

And, the ever successful Soil Association’s Organic Food festival (06 September – 07 September 2008) is the climax of the festival season in September. As Europe’s largest celebration of all things organic, the event attracts 50,000 visitors and incorporates bustling food markets, a demonstration kitchen, a green pavilion and a kid’s zone.

On the go
So, outside the festival season, does Bristol still offer locals and tourists alike the best of the South West? With a range of local produce markets and a wide variety of successful restaurants, the city does not fail to disappoint.

Corn Street’s Wednesday Farmers Market has a extensive range of foods from cheese, fish and cakes to vegetables and meat, all produced locally within 40 miles of the city. Once a month, on a Sunday, a Slow Food Market occupies the same space, with a range of tasty delights.

Southville’s Tobacco Factory Market is also a brilliant place to spend a Sunday morning, selling a mix of foods with a strong bias towards ethical, eco-friendly, fair trade, organic and local products. Regular exhibitors include PieMinister, Cherry Tree (jams, pickles and honey), About Soup and The Chocolate Workshop.

Or, St Nicholas Market is a great place to shop all the year round; the choice of goods, food, its historical architecture and quirky ambience combine to make it the perfect place to shop, eat and find that special gift. On a Saturday there is a real atmosphere and a great variety of fresh and reasonably priced food is in abundance from Caribbean and Portuguese to Asian and Turkish, so why not grab a snack on the move or take a seat and enjoy the art of people watching.

Award winning food
As far as restaurants go, Bristol has number of real gems that are not afraid to stand out from the crowd.

Thornbury Castle has been a home to kings and queens and the restaurant is renowned for its fine food, receiving many prestigious awards including 2 AA Rosette’s for its many traditional English favourites.

It prides itself on using the finest and freshest seasonal ingredients, sourced from local markets and suppliers wherever possible, and also grows its own herbs and a quantity of vegetables such as courgette flowers and cherry tomatoes, so it is certainly worth a visit. Or, if you are visiting in the afternoon pop into the tea rooms for afternoon tea and homemade cakes.

If you are looking to enjoy fine dining in the heart of Bristol, Hotel du Vin’s Bistro is the place to go. With its ambient wood panelled dining room and its fine food, the restaurant has been compared to the great dining rooms of London or Paris.

Bordeaux Quay has only been on Bristol’s harbourside for 18 months but it has already managed to stir up a reputation for itself, mainly due to its superb food and admirable ethos of having minimal impact on the environment. It describes itself as “much more than a place to eat” and with a restaurant, brasserie, bar, cooking school, bakery and deli all under one roof; it surely lives up to this claim.

If you are looking for views over the harbour, Riverstation’s glass and steel exterior ensures that this former police station makes a strong visual statement with high quality food to match. The style of cooking is modern European with menus changing daily to incorporate freshly available ingredients and much of the meat and vegetables being sourced locally.

Back in the countryside, The Lounge at Cadbury House has fantastic views over the Bristol Channel and beyond into Wales and the AA Rosette awarded restaurant will provides a stylish but informal destination offering everything from tasty appetizers to imaginative main dishes.

‘Please Sir, I want some more’
New restaurants are opening all the time and Bristol’s £500 million Cabot Circus development, due to open in the autumn, will bring 20 more restaurants and cafes to the city centre at one fell swoop.

As well as household names such as Nando’s, Zizzi and Gourmet Burger Kitchen, the city has attracted Raymond Blanc’s Brassiere Blanc, the Italian restaurant Carluccio’s and fashionable noodle bar Tampopo, all of which will enhance the range of cuisine available in Bristol.