Hubbox is open!

After much excitement from my Cornish colleague, Hubbox have finally flung open the doors to their newest restaurant after a successful expansion through the South West. Hubbox has taken over the Las Iguanas site on Whiteladies Road and it’s unrecognisable, gone are the bright latin themes and have been replaced with a familiar vibe. Dark, neon, tin signs on the wall, booths and a back bar heavy on the bourbon with modern tunes pumping loudly from the PA, it definitely feels like a cool place to be.

They’ve kept the opening front windows which were a popular feature with the previous restaurant and is a tempting place to sit and drink the Hubbox version of a snakebite, a far classier affair than the one I remember from 12years ago. Otherwise, a good selection of craft beer is available from Harbour, Tiny Rebel and Siren etc, decent wines and of course Aperol Spritz in generous glasses.

I only tried a few nibbles and so can’t comment on too much but we all agreed the beef patties were full of juicy flavour, the blue cheese and mushroom topped one being a favourite. There were also nachos, fried courgette chips, fried chicken, hotdogs and chicken nuggets. We also tried the Crack Pie which I’ve not had in ages and it was very sweet and very good. Topped with, of course, clotted cream, what a treat. Definitely will be back to try a proper meal and see if the Cornish can do burgers as well as they do pasties.

Where – 113 Whiteladies Road, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 2PB

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Naasto Baasto Popup Kitchen

This is Indian food that I would guess most of you haven’t tried before!

Monica Patel is hosting an afternoon of traditional Gujarati home cooking at Bristol Spirit in Redfield. Monica and her mother will be preparing a feast of food using recipes handed down to her by generations of her family.

Monica says that; “Naasto Baasto is a tribute to my ba (grandmother) – who was a wonderful strong woman, and the most caring wife, mum and grandmother. As a homage to the hostess with the mostest, mum and I will be cooking some of our favourite Gujarati dishes, and we’ll be turning Bristol Spirit into my grandparent’s home for the afternoon. Our guests will experience proper Gujju hospitality – recipes which have been passed down for generations, cooked with love and passion. Humble, authentic and largely vegetarian.”

There will be a set menu costing £25.00 per head. Guests can buy either a meat or veggie ticket option. The puris, chapatis, and kachori all contain gluten. You can let us know if you’d like a dairy free option after purchasing tickets. Tickets can be purchased through the Bristol Spirit Website here

All dishes will have suggested pairings of Espensen Spirit cocktails, local beers, wines or mocktails – these are not included in the ticket price.

The menu can be found via the link and I can assure you that I am positively counting down the days to get my hand on some traditional thali!

Find Naasto Baasto on Twitter and Facebook!

New Opening – Bomboloni

As we salute goodbye to Biblos on the Hill, off to sunnier climes at the new Wapping Wharf development we welcome in its place Bomboloni.

Well respected and universally loved chef Andrew Griffin and equally talented daughter Molly of Tart, Prego and Stock Exchange Bakery fame to name a few have finally been given the opportunity to open their own restaurant on the vibrant Gloucester Road.

Whilst Biblos was great for nipping in for a quick bite, it never made me want to stay and savour my surroundings, Andrew, Molly and the entire Griffin family have worked incredibly hard to make the dining room as relaxed and comfortable as their own living room. The walls are painted a beautiful deep grey/blue colour and are adorned with pictures and photographs that could keep one busy for a long time having a nose at.

The bar is tucked away on the right-hand side whilst the open kitchen takes pride of place at the back. The tired decking and awning has been whisked away and polished up for prime people spotting opportunities at lunch or during dinner on warm summer evenings.

We were welcomed warmly at the preview night and stuffed full with the restaurant’s namesake bomboloni doughnuts (incredibly light and moreish!), arancini, mackerel pate on toast, bruschetta and some of the best polenta chips I’ve ever tried, chunky, crisp and not at all like the sad, grainy polenta I’ve had elsewhere.

When they open officially on the 13th you can look forward to a lunch menu offering dishes under £8 including meatballs with linguine & parmesan, grilled vegetables & buffalo mozzarella panini and a pizzetta menu.

For dinner the menu expands to include starters, mains such as pesto & straccio gnocchi with brown butter, asparagus & salted ricotta, grilled prawns with chilli, garlic & tomato and a great looking pizza menu. All mains come in under £12 too.

Opening hours are 9am – 10pm Monday to Saturday and 12 noon – 4pm for Sunday lunch.

Find Bomboloni here and on Twitter here 

 

 

Carols Crab Kitchen @ The Old Butchers

CRAB PEOPLE, CRAB PEOPLE

I have been screaming out for a New Orleans style seafood boil restaurant after the disappearance of Party in my Pans (I left hungry that night) and finally, the crab shack Gods have answered.

Carols Crab Kitchen have landed at The Old Butchers from the 15th June and promises a seafood fusion from The Deep South and Vietnam. With offerings of soft shell crab burgers, gumbo, Carol’s crab cakes, wings and sharing trays. Complimented with sides of triple cooked corn on the cob, prawn cocktail or sweetcorn chowder fries, pickled popcorn shrimp, and deep fried pickled shitake mushrooms. Phew!

 

Carol and Ben – The Old Butchers

 

Every Thursday night at The Old Butcher’s will be The Weekly Seafood Boil – served on a sharing tray at the centre of the table, you’ll be poured a steaming hot pot of clams, mussels, smoked sausage and langoustines and veg – expect things to get messy!

If that wasn’t enough, Carol (of Doreen Doreen fame) will be getting her own piece of the crab action by popping into The Old Butcher’s and hosting Carol’s Supreme Monthly Boil along with the band. It promises to be an extra special crab extravaganza (hint* there’s a band in the house that night), so look out on social media for further details. Carol’s Crab Kitchen will be open Tuesday – Saturday. There’s also a brunch menu of crab or veggie grilled cheese toasties, popcorn shrimp or chicken sandwiches, and a selection of evening dishes. Brunch will be served 12noon-3pm Tuesday-Saturday and then the evening menu 5pm-10pm Tuesday-Saturday.

Carol’s Crab Kitchen will be open Tuesday – Saturday. There’s also a brunch menu of crab or veggie grilled cheese toasties, popcorn shrimp or chicken sandwiches, and a selection of evening dishes. Brunch will be served 12noon-3pm Tuesday-Saturday and then the evening menu 5pm-10pm Tuesday-Saturday.