Turtle Bay, Review.

17/02/2014 - Turtle Bay

Turtle Bay is a whole load of cool wrapped up in a restaurant, awesome surroundings, reggae music, 241 cocktails for most of the day and most importantly delicious Caribbean food.

On the night I drank three of the cocktails, each with a particular flavour and twang. To start a FIERY Jamaican Mule, with spicy Ginger Beer and spiced Rum, followed by a couple of sweet and refreshing Strawberry Daiquiris, Havana rum based drinks but with the added fresh lime and strawberries, and to finish a cocktail based on orange liquor whose name escapes me - cannot remember the name, but I was a few drinks in by then! Favourite was the Daiquiri by far. 

Now on to the food. Carribean food has always been a favourite of mine, I love the earthy flavours, so I was looking forward to trying this menu. Two types of main-meal were on offer, alongside lighter lunch dishes and tapas-style cutters. The choice between One-Pot dishes "rich, slowly simmered and uniquely Caribbean" and the "succulent authentic Jerk dishes" on the Jerk Pit BBQ section was a tough one but in the end I settled for a Trinidad Curry Chicken One-Pot. 

The pot was brought to the table and lid removed to 'unveil' this gorgeous looking curry

Tender chicken breast slowly cooked into a delicate yet tangy curry, topped with sweet onion chutney and fresh shavings of coconut then served with a side of well-seasoned "rice 'n' peas" - the pot dish was gorgeous. The Jerk sauce on the Cheesy Jerk Fries was also delicious, although I did find myself a little disappointed as they were sweet potato fries, the texture of which I just can't bring myself to like even though the majority of people seem to love them. The Coleslaw complimented the meal well as promised and I particularly enjoyed the sweetness from the raisins. 

Score :

Food: 9.5/10

My meal was amongst some of the best Carribean-inspired food that I have had in the UK. If I went back I would ask for potato fries but that's my fault for being weird with sweet potato!

Atmosphere: 10/10

Such a feel good place. Loved the music, the decorations and the bustle. In a great location right on Broad Quay. 

Service: 9/10

The waitress was excellent and actively made recommendations as to what to have. May have waited a few minutes longer than expected for the last cocktail but I put that down to the bar being busy.

Value for Money: 9/10

241 cocktails are a bargain, made very professionally with quality ingredients. Food is also good value, spent £25 per person but for what that included I can't complain. 

It is rare that a restaurant ticks so many boxes simultaneously, but Turtle Bay really did. If you want to go not only for a great meal but a lively, fun experience I could not recommend it more.

Over and out
- the enFoodiast

Dain Korea, Gloucester Road, Review

16/02/2014 - Dain Korea

A new experience, a new restaurant, a new review - Dain Korea serves traditional Korean food and is a relative newcomer to the Gloucester Road scene. 

This isn't my first foray into Korean food in Bristol, I have eaten at Surakhan (Park Row) before and had a very enjoyable meal, so I was excited at the prospect of some more delicious Korean food with the added bonus of Dain Korea being a BYO (bring your own booze).

Menu with my own bottle of wine

The menu offered a choice of traditional Korean meals including Bimbimbap, a hearty bowl of rice topped with a decorative mix of vegetables, egg and meat which is then stirred in by the diner, and Bulgogi, which I was told is a delicious serving of grilled marinated meats. There was also a long list of starters to choose from. 

I opted for a traditional Korean selection. Pa Jeon (seafood pancakes) to start, followed by a Raw Beef Bimbimbap. The restaurant provided some nibbles as a pre-show in the form of pickled eggs and Kimchee (pickled cabbage).

The starter looked impressive when it arrived, I enjoyed the crunchy texture of the pancake against the softer filling however I found it slightly too oily for my liking. 

Pa Jeon with pickled hors d'oevres in the background

Spot the squid!

The main was quite enjoyable, when it arrive my Bimbimbap looked like this:

Miso Soup served on the side

The contrasting colours worked well and the portions were not skimpy - a mountain of sticky rice topped with greens, meat and egg! I looked forward to mixing my ingredients together into the hot bowl so I could cook my meat and start the feast. 

Post stirring, and after a few minutes of cooking, I was ready to dig in. The meal was delicious, as with the starter I loved the crunch of the rice that had baked onto the bottom of the bowl combined with the rest of the meal. Cooking my own meat was a novelty and being able to season my own bowl with chili sauce and miso soup added to the overall experience.  

My creation - Post cooking

It seems as though the focus here is strictly on food, the decor is lacking (to put it mildly) and the tables are packed in tightly. Heating is provided by a couple of electric stoves, which to be fair to them do a good job of heating the place, and customers are seated at sturdy wooden tables and chairs. 

Score :

Food: 7/10

You will not find food like this in many places, in the UK at least, and I would recommend you try it. Bimbimbap is a great choice but I will be back to sample the Bulgogi.

Atmosphere: 3/10

This isn't the venue for a "nice meal", it's not catering to that market and it doesn't pretend to. Heating ducts wrapped in foil and poorly fitted wallpaper are the norm here, if you come make sure it's for the food!

Service: 6/10

The waiting staff were helpful and friendly although the table was slow to be cleared after each course. We still had our empty starter dishes on the table when the mains arrived.

Value for Money: 7.5/10

We paid £15 per person, including £1 corkage each for our wine. Cheaper than Surakhan and offers a similar level of food quality, although the cost is slightly more than you would expect for the surroundings

If you have a desire to sample new cuisines then Dain Korea is a good choice with a traditional menu of Korean dishes to sample. The decor is obviously not putting people off as all tables were taken on the night I visited. Bearing this in mind, I would make sure you book ahead to avoid disappointment - and don't forget to bring your own alcohol!

Over and out
- the enFoodiast

The Brassmill Keynsham Review

09/02/2014 - The Brassmill Keynsham - Vintage Inn

I visited this pub on Sunday evening hoping for a late Sunday Roast, fortunately they had sold out as the meal I had was delicious! Slow-cooked Game and BlackBerry pie served with peas, beans and mashed potatoes. 

Very well presented, just like the rest of the pub.

A very dark picture of a very succulent piece of meat. 

When I first came here as child there was a ball-pit in the corner and a crying toddler at every table, oh how things change. Sophisticated and cosy with a mish mash of furniture to give it that "vintage feel" that the aptly named Vintage Inns brand of pubs really knows how to execute well. 

The menu had a small selection of pub classics to offer however the concept of traditionally sourced game  ("may contain shot") with blackberries cooked into a red wine and sloe gin sauce intrigued me enough to order. It arrived baked into the pie dish with a lovely crunchy looking crust. The pastry made a mouthwatering crunch as I broke into it with my fork to find juicy whole blackberries alongside the dark tender meat. The sides could have been improved with the mashed potatoes not being very fluffy and the peas served plainly however this did mean they did not over shadow the pie itself. 

The flavours were all I expected and more, sweet tangy blackberries against the deep gamey meat melded perfectly with the rich sauce - who knew gin and wine could marry so well! I hadn't noticed when ordering but there was a mature cheddar cheese melted onto the pie crust which was subtle at first but had a welcome after-taste.

Score :

Food: 8/10

I have never tasted a pie quite like this one and would heartily recommend it. A little more creativeness with the sides would have been appreciated. 

Atmosphere: 8.5/10

Warm, welcoming and relaxed. Felt a world away from the wind and rain outside. 

Service: 8/10

Friendly and attentive staff made for a pleasant experience. When asked whether the Game pie was worth a try it transpired the server had not tried it so could not recommend it. (I hope he does because its delicious and should be recommended to all!)

Value for Money: 7/10

The food costs an average of £10 or so for a main, with the Game pie being the second most expensive item on the menu at £13.45. Worth the price but it may be off-putting to some. 


The Brassmill has the charm and warmth of a countryside pub but is within 15 minutes of Bristol, if you are looking at somewhere new to try with a bit of character then I would recommend a visit. Also, as if i haven't said it enough already, try the game pie!

Over and out
- The EnFoodiast

Atomic Burger

07/02/2014 - Atomic Burger

"This place is so awesome that you have to book in advance", is how Atomic Burger was sold to me by friends. So you can appreciate how excited I was when we turned up, reservation made, expecting greatness.

Walking into the place was like entering into a comic book store, toys hanging off ceilings, amazing wall decorations and a TV playing old-school tunes. Very heavy retro-cool vibes.

Tributes to Space Invaders, Star Wars,  E.T., Ghostbusters and much more adorned the walls. 

The menu is split into different burgers, each with its own theme and a collectible sticker - collect them all for a free burger. Choose from chicken, beef or veggie burger patties and then add your toppings. Choices include the Dolly Parton (two helpings of burger, bacon and cheese), Dead Elvis (swiss cheese, american cheese with bacon and onions) and Tony Montana (ham, pulled pork, pickles, mayo and american mustard) to name but a few. Atomic Burger also has a range of German Frankfurter "not-burgers", what you and I would call hot-dogs, if nothing else tickles your fancy.

My burger was called the Mr T. which is the February special. I read the description and knew it was the one for me, pulled pork, meatballs and bacon on top of a beef burger in a bun. For my side order I chose the Danger Fries, which were tossed in pulled chicken and hot sauce then drizzled with blue cheese sauce and sprinkled with chopped spring onions. To accompany my meal I ordered an Oreo cookie thick-shake. Boy-oh-boy was I excited when this turned up to my table:

Mouth watering

The burger was meaty and full of flavour, served medium rare with a slight char you couldn't ask for more from the centre-piece of this meal. As you can tell from the picture this was too big for a brute-strength approach so I tucked in with my knife and fork, the bacon was well crisped and the meatballs were nicely seasoned. The pulled pork was a bit of a strange addition, it changed the texture of the burger which took a while to get used to but the barbequed flavour complemented the rest of the meats well. 

However on this occasion the fries took gold prize, the pulled chicken was literally meat pulled off of buffalo chicken wings, which explained why it was so tender and melted deliciously in the mouth. The "hot" sauce was not overpowering and you could actually taste a hint of slow cooked chillis permeating throughout. This balanced well with the blue cheese drizzle. The thick and creamy Oreo milkshake was also very good. 

Score card:

Food: 8/10

I really enjoyed this meal, I would say that the pulled-pork-topping concept takes a little getting used to but I would definitely order the burger again. If you go make sure you try the Danger Fries, they took the meal to the next level. 

Atmosphere: 9/10

Fun, funky and a totally different experience. You have to visit at least once just to check out the decor!

Service: 10/10

For a relatively small restaurant I counted 4 wait staff and 3 chefs, they don't leave you waiting in here. Everyone was very friendly and we received our food promptly even though the restaurant had two large parties.

Value for Money: 8/10

My meal came to £16 which some would find expensive but I would come here again. The need to reserve a table speaks volumes about the popularity of Atomic Burger so the price is obviously not turning customers away. 

This is an absolute gem of a restaurant, the owner is obviously trying hard to create a exciting dining experience and doesn't fail. From the moment I walked in, to reading the menu, to the food landing on our table I was sold on Atomic Burger. My expectations of greatness were fulfilled.

Over and out
- the EnFoodiast

The Food Warren

06/02/2014 - The Food Warren

It has been almost a year since my previous/first post, which is atrocious I know but life has been hectic! My passion for food remains intact however so I decided to kick-start this blog again. First on the list for 2014 is The Food Warren, a quaint takeaway cart located on the end of Victoria Street which is conveniently a stones throw from my office.

From The Food Warren Facebook Page

The food here changes on a weekly cycle and I have a range of favourites:

Greek Beans - A warming stew-esque production. Beans, herbs and a feta cheese base served hot. Tangy and delicious. 

Sausage Hotpot - What it says on the tin but served with great quality sausages that pack a bunch of flavour and the hearty tomato sauce is always perfectly seasoned. 

Scotch Eggs - Wednesday is scotch egg day. Hard boiled eggs hand wrapped in homemade sausage meat and crisped up in a pan. Best to buy early on whilst they're nice and warm!

My review today however is about a dish which blew all of their other dishes out of the water - and that's no easy feat! Slow Cooked Beef and Coconut Curry with Rice:

Giant portion of the best curry in town

The curry was absolutely brilliant, it really blew me away, I literally spent 60 seconds just absorbing the smell - whilst receiving comments from about 15 people about how great it smelt. The coconut flavour was well balanced against the backdrop of spices and the beef was tender and flavoursome. I had a pleasant surprise in the form of chunks of potato which melted in the mouth yet retained enough bite not to distort the texture of the curry. The rice, as has come to be expected of the Food Warren, was well cooked and plentiful.

The scores on the doors:

Food: 10/10

Great from the moment I pulled it out of the bag, a heavenly smell followed by a satisfying, well put together and delicious curry.

Atmosphere: n/a

Not a restaurant per-se but the cart is nicely presented and clean.

Service: 10/10

Rob and Claire, a brother and sister team who run The Food Warren, are sure to make you feel welcome and offer some helpful hints if you're unsure on what to have on the day.

Value for Money: 9/10

At £4 for a meat dish this isn't the cheapest lunch-time offering on the high street but the quality of the food is without a doubt superior to other offerings of a similar nature.

So if you're in the area (and it's by Temple Meads train station so you should make the effort if you're nearby) and looking for a hearty and tasty lunch then try The Food Warren. You won't be disappointed.

Over and out
- the EnFoodiast

Shiraz Persian Restaurant - Persian New Years

Happy Nouruz! That's Persian New Year for those not in the know.

20/03/2013 - Shiraz Restaurant

You may not have known it was Persian New Years yesterday, an event that I am sad to say has passed me by every year until now, but it was the perfect excuse to go out for something a little different. 

Persian food is something new to me and I was intrigued to see what would come of it. The restaurant was sited in what could have once been an unassuming terraced house, complete with entrance foyer and garden, and had a standard family-run feel with a dining-room-table-and-chairs set up. 

First impressions were not good, we had to squeeze past the party sat next to the door and were greeted by a rather brusk server who may never have heard of the concept of customer service. After establishing where we were to be sat  we seated ourselves and waited the 15 minutes or so it took for someone to acknowledge us and bring us a menu. 

The restaurant was running a special set-menu, something we were not made aware of when booking and we were somewhat disappointed that we had no choice in starter or dessert and only three options were available for the main: lamb casserole, mixed shish kebab and grilled salmon. That's where the disappointment ended however.

The starter was a humongous offering of mixed mezes and freshly baked flat bread. There were several dishes: 

• delicious vine leaf parcels wrapped around a flavoured rice mix, 
• shredded roast chicken with creamy yoghurt and peas that had more than a passing resemblance to deli-sandwich chicken mayonnaise, 
• a warm spicy tomato salsa with perhaps a touch too much garlic and what appeared to be a soft feta-like cheese mixed through, 
• grilled chicken wings, 
• a fresh and thick yoghurt with a similar taste to tzatziki without the "bits", and
• a tasty mix of diced red onion, tomato, herbs and oil.

[Apologies for lack of decent photos but the only one I took is of the starters - (I know its awful but I didn't have my camera!)]

For the main I opted for the lamb casserole. Served in an authentic metal pot with a mountain of saffron rice it was incredibly delicious. Thanks to the chilli and split peas the casserole was very hearty and warming, the tang of the tomatoes balanced perfectly with the smooth texture and rich flavour of the aubergine, which appeared to have been skinned and cooked whole in the casserole. And the lamb, oh the lamb, tender just does not describe it. 

The wine we drank was a Shiraz from Chile - ordered in honor of the restaurant - and, apart from going down very easily, complemented the meal perfectly.

By this time the service had warmed considerably and we enjoyed a very enthusiastic explanation of the tradition of fire-jumping on Nouruz, something which apparently burns away the previous year's negativity and cleanses the soul ready for the year ahead. 

By the time dessert came, a selection of sticky, sweet Baklava packed with nuts and oozing honey, we were very very full.... nevertheless we plowed through and boy were they good. Although I am not usually a fan of Baklava, as they can be a tad too rich, I thoroughly enjoyed these.

The three course meal was £24.50, very reasonable for the quality (and amount) of food received and completely made up for the lack of choice. 

Now for the scores:

Food: 9/10 

Lots of it and most of it was delicious, some of the starter dishes could have been a bit more balanced and perhaps were not as interesting as they could have been. The main and dessert were both excellent.

Atmosphere: 6/10

The restaurant felt like there were too many tables crammed in and was perhaps a touch cold as there was only one electric fire and almost everyone had coats on. Been to better places, been to worst.

Service: 6/10

What started out as a potential nightmare with an awful waitress turned out to be a delightful dining experience. I would have appreciated it if we'd have been told about set-menu however the serving staff were good natured and eventually quite engaging, even if they could have been more attentive.

Value for money: 9/10

This was not the cheapest dining experience but I felt that the price reflected the quality of the food. Next time I might order less of the pricey wine though...

Overall I would recommend going to Shiraz, although I suggest you go with an open mind with regards to the standard "restaurant experience". 

If you want good quality, authentic middle eastern food you could would be hard pressed to find better elsewhere.

Over and out

- The Enfoodiast

The Origins

Hello and welcome to my blog, The Bristol Enfoodiast.

Before I dive off into the murky waters of blog posting I guess I should introduce myself and explain the origins of The Bristol Enfoodiast blog.

Ok, so I am a 24 year old guy living in Bristol and I have lived in this wonderful city for most of my life, with the exception being my university years. 

As you can probably tell from the blog title I like food... a lot. People at work tell me that I can natter on about pretty much anything food related for hours and this got me thinking: what if I can put this passion for food into something productive? And voila! The Bristol Enfoodiast was born.

I'm not going to say "this blog is going to do XYZ" as I want to see how the project develops but at this stage I can tell you that I will be focusing on restaurants and eateries in general. My approach will be review based, focusing on what I think of as the most important parts of eating out: the food (obviously), the atmosphere, the service and value for money.

Hopefully someone will read this and either find it useful/interesting/not a waste of time, until that point I at least have an outlet for my food obsessions!

Happy reading.
- The Enfoodiast.