Food and drink in Bristol - Child friendly?!?

[kybo]

As the title suggests - 1st timer to Bristol

Taking our daughter to Bristol, staying Friday to Sunday. Pretty much got the day activities sorted - zoo, aquarium, @Bristol, SS GB but stuck for eateries of an evening.

Anything like a rainforest cafe in town (she's animal mad!!)?

We'll eat anything, daughter (7) loves meat and chinese (well, their ribs). Staying at the Mariott.

Many thanks,
Scott

[jkh112]

My daughters love Za za bazaar which is near the Marriott . It is a "all you caneat" type place, but it is not the usual rubbish. My daughters are 6 and 8 and come back to the table with some strange pan world food fusions!

[trig9k]

jkh112 said:

My daughters love Za za bazaar which is near the Marriott . It is a "all you caneat" type place, but it is not the usual rubbish. My daughters are 6 and 8 and come back to the table with some strange pan world food fusions!

another vote for za za bazaar, also half way up park street there's a Nandos which is my kids favorite

[jkh112]

You will need to book for Za Za bazaar.

[splodge s4]

This may not really be up your street but thought I'd mention it as you say 'child friendly' food n drink places...

Last summer we were on our bikes, Me, wife & our son in a bike trailer, we had a lovely day riding around town. On the way back we stop at the wetherspoons in Temple Quay & we sat out side & Mary went in to get a couple of drinks. She returned moments later to say they had refused to serve her. As we ordered a pint of Stella for me, half a shandy for Mary & a fruit pop for the lad they were not allowed to serve us alcohol as we weren't eating (it was about 4pm so not lunch time) & we were in charge on a minor.

People sat near us couldn't believe it, one couple offered to get us some drinks & then they were refused as the manager saw us talking to them outside!

Its a mad world, I sent a letter to wetherspoon asking why they feel I'm not a responsible 41 year old parent if I have one pint whilst sat in the sun with my boy & they wrote back stating its their policy. If we were eating then your allowed a drink & normally one afterwards. Who are they to say that! 20 pubs are closing a week in the UK, I now hope a few Wetherspoons close & hopefully some independents will open again.

[kybo]

Thanks for the comments.

I've looked into zaza bazaar and the variety of food is really good. How much notice do you need to give when booking (we go tomorrow)? Would booking it Friday for a Saturday table be time enough, ya think? I'd like us to see the place before deciding.

Thanks for the info regarding wetherspoons...

I'm totallyshocked by that - was the pubs' individual policy or wethers as a whole? Can't say I've experienced such idiotic behaviour before, but it's made me think if we've bought drinks without actually eating.

I doubt we'll eat at a wethers as we want to try something different so I guess i'll play safe and avoid them this weekend

ETA:

Thanks,
Scott

[john147]

we went to @bristol and my little one loved it, hopew you have a great time

[Japveesix]

Would have recommended Cosmo at the top of Park Street (Similar idea to Za Za Bazaar, though mostly Asian and it has fish tanks!) but it's closed until March.

Lots of nice places along the waterfront as well, Riverside (posh but lovely) spyglass (nice boat on the water) and severnshed (affordable quality). Very nice down by the water

Za Za is a pretty good place for just pigging out on a nice mix of random foods though.

Ps. If you do fancy Chinese this place is great:
http://www.dynasty-bristol.co.uk/

Pps. take some peanuts and walk her across Brandon Hill. It's lovely on a nice day, great views and the friendliest squirrels in the world. Much cheaper than SS GB, @bris etc (though both are great)
http://g.co/maps/kqh9n

Edited by Japveesix on Thursday 26th January 22:39

[jules_s]

kybo said:

As the title suggests - 1st timer to Bristol

Taking our daughter to Bristol, staying Friday to Sunday. Pretty much got the day activities sorted - zoo, aquarium, @Bristol, SS GB but stuck for eateries of an evening.

Anything like a rainforest cafe in town (she's animal mad!!)?

We'll eat anything, daughter (7) loves meat and chinese (well, their ribs). Staying at the Mariott.

Many thanks,
Scott

Which marriott?

Be warned, we walked past the Za Za place last Saturday at about 9:00pm and there was a 100m queue!!

Personally I'd avoid Riverstation (too much £££) and Severnshed is quite frankly awful every time we've been.

In that area I'd go to the Firehouse (best ribeye in Bristol by some margin - pizzas etc) Mud dock (nice place - do burgers for kids etc) or Lockside (but that will be quite quiet early evening)

[kybo]

City Centre, on lower castle street.

Like the sound of the Rib Eye.

Thanks one and all - spoilt for choice. It's a shame the first night at the hotel includes evening meal - so many nice places mentioned.

Will try and find time to walk the waterfront - sounds like it's brimming with eateries. Also sounds like a nice spot to walk.

Like the idea of Brandon hill - already have some monkey nuts in the house in the house as she loves feeding the squirrels down the local park every weekend.

Lets hope for nice weather!!

Scott

[/doesn't think a weekend is gonna be long enough]

[jules_s]

kybo said:

City Centre, on lower castle street.

Like the sound of the Rib Eye.

Thanks one and all - spoilt for choice. It's a shame the first night at the hotel includes evening meal - so many nice places mentioned.

Will try and find time to walk the waterfront - sounds like it's brimming with eateries. Also sounds like a nice spot to walk.

Like the idea of Brandon hill - already have some monkey nuts in the house in the house as she loves feeding the squirrels down the local park every weekend.

Lets hope for nice weather!!

Scott

[/doesn't think a weekend is gonna be long enough]

Thats the best Rib Eye Ive ever had...It's really that good

Nearer to you (I Think) would be Piccolinos (very good - behind Harvey Nics) or Brasserie Blanc...or better still San Carlos on Corn Street. You wont beat that in Bristol.

[Japveesix]

jules_s said:

Thats the best Rib Eye Ive ever had...It's really that good

Nearer to you (I Think) would be Piccolinos (very good - behind Harvey Nics) or Brasserie Blanc...or better still San Carlos on Corn Street. You wont beat that in Bristol.

There are lots of places in Bristol that beat San Carlo even though they are excellent for a chain.

And if you like steak you should head to the cowshed, doubt there are better steaks anywhere in Bristol (though it's a tad on the pricey side).

[jules_s]

Japveesix said:

There are lots of places in Bristol that beat San Carlo even though they are excellent for a chain.

Care to name a few?

I'm after some new places to eat

And yes, we are due a trip to the Cowshed!

[Japveesix]

jules_s said:

Care to name a few?

I'm after some new places to eat

And yes, we are due a trip to the Cowshed!

Cowshed is great, really good service, friendly and efficient without being pushy and the steaks were beautiful. It was steep (steak + sauce/chips/salad etc ends up being £28-30) and more than I'd generally want to pay anywhere.

Anyway, if I had to name my current favourite eateries in Bristol it'd be something like this:

Cafe Maitreya - http://www.cafemaitreya.co.uk/
I'd never order a vegetarian dish in most restaurants but this is probably my favourite place I've ever eaten. I'm yet to eat anything there I haven't thought was fantastic and inspired and it's a really cosy, light and friendly place.

Primrose Cafe - http://www.primrosecafe.co.uk/
Not been here for a while but it's in a loevly little corner of Clifton and serves high quality seasonal, local and interesting food, i.e. Best end of lamb, haggis fritter, rosemary roast potatoes, whisky jus

The Albion - just down from Primrose and basically a really top quality gastro-pub with decent ales and cider behind the bar.

El Puerto, Tapas place on King Street - I've always really enjoyed this place (though know others who haven't). Best done in a large group of people who'll eat anything then you can all just pick at every dish.

Pizza Provencale, Clifton - possibly my favourite Italian, though there are lots of decent ones around.

ZeroDegrees also do excellent pizzas and have all their lovely in-house lagers and ales. Bordeaux Quay is rather nice and you get nice views if you have a decent table.

I'd chuck in Cowshed and Riverstation as I really enjoyed both, though they are both a bit pricier than I'd usually like.

Would really like to go to Brasserie Blanc, seemed to get great reviews when it opened, just not got round to it yet. Same for Bell's diner and various other recommended places


Places a little outside:

New Inn in Backwell - fairly recently transformed from a knackered old local to a quality restaurant. Service was a bit naff (hot but young girl was clueless) but the food is excellent.

Pony and Trap down near Chew Valley - Nice place and nice food with nice views.


Do think Bristol in general is fairly decent for food, there are numerous places around the centre/park st/whiteladies where I'd be really happy to eat.

[jules_s]

^^^^ Excellent, Thank you

We will definitely take a look at those

We just got back from a meal at Brasserie Blanc...the ambience and service is really really good

I still say the rib-eye in the Firehouse wont be bested though. It really is that good; the cut is excellent but also its how/what they cook it in

[Japveesix]

jules_s said:

^^^^ Excellent, Thank you

We will definitely take a look at those

We just got back from a meal at Brasserie Blanc...the ambience and service is really really good

I still say the rib-eye in the Firehouse wont be bested though. It really is that good; the cut is excellent but also its how/what they cook it in

It's my 30th shortly (sadly) and brasserie blanc is high on the list of places to celebrate.

Didn't see a rib-eye at the Cowshed (perhaps the firehouse does it better ) but I did have a sirloin, and friends had fillet, and they were very nice

....Anyway save your money and just buy a Stilton Creme brulee starter and the white chocolate cheese cake dessert, skip the steak, they were both fantastic!

[kybo]

Thanks all,

Just got back, but will bookmark this post; as we obviously didn't get to sample all the places mentioned we'll definitely be coming back!!

Out first night's evening meal was spent in the Hotel as we had the BB, Evening meal package and I must say the food was excellent. Pricey if you were paying but, as we weren't...

...went down a treat with some fine wine (and a fair few scoops of cider)!

Saturday we did the Zoo, walked round the centre a bit - saw some of the Cabot Circus. Very impressive place; the wife's eyes lit up at all the shops! Can't recall for the life of me what we did for lunch (getting on - I'm 40, so 30's nowt!! ) Then did @Bristol in the afternoon.

Tried to get into ZazaBazaar at just after 6, without a reservation; according to the concierge we wouldn't need one that early. Oh, we did!! We were greeted at the door and they told us they were fully booked all evening. We walked down the side of it but the place was empty. As we'd decided on eating there before we left I didn't take note of the other places we were considering so had no idea where else to go. And, put on the spot, mu mind went blank!

Ended up in flavourz - not keen if I'm honest. Didn't really rate the variety on offer. Enjoyed the food as a whole but not overwhelmed. Ah, well, Ellie-Mae loved the pizza and the ribs.

Today we did the Acquarium and walked along the waterfront.

But I will be back - loved the Marriott - everything there was just great, and with so much more to see and do we can't NOT come back.

Thanks to all who took the time to pass on some knowledge of Bristol. It was much appreciated

Scott

Edited by kybo on Sunday 29th January 18:06

[jkh112]

kybo said:

Tried to get into ZazaBazaar at just after 6, without a reservation; according to the concierge we wouldn't need one that early. Oh, we did!!

Edited by kybo on Sunday 29th January 18:06

I am shocked that you took the word of the concierge at the Marriott over the advice from PH!

[kybo]

Shh.
Don't tell every one!!
[Now nervously waiting for the rotten tomatoes and the sticks and stones!!]

I know, I know. AND it was advice given more than once.

Feel free to rub it in!! Thoroughly deserved!!

Plus side - I'll have to go to Bristol again

Scott