Restaurant reviews – The Prandial Playground, Bath and Beyond…

Joya Italian Steakhouse, Bath

Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1774. The former Empire Hotel in Orange Grove was built in 1901. The Bath branch of Browns, also on Orange Grove, made a home for itself in the city’s former cop shop almost 30 years ago. The restaurant now known as Solina Pasta on Grand Parade used to be Frampton’sContinue reading “Joya Italian Steakhouse, Bath”

se7en, George Street, Bath

Friday evening, and Bath’s George Street “strip” is buzzing. The pleasure-seekers are out to play in force. Uber drivers, reluctant to stray too far from the peak fare action, are idling on every available kerb, and girls in too-high heels are doing a grand job of pretending to ignore the boys in too-tight jeans. AndContinue reading “se7en, George Street, Bath”

The Marlborough Tavern, Bath

Occupying prime leafy neighbourhood position just past the Royal Crescent on the edge of Royal Victoria Park, the Marlborough Tavern effortlessly brings proper pub and upmarket contemporary bistro together in perfect harmony, an appealing blend of friendly familiarity and a fresh, smart outlook in both decor and menus giving both locals and visitors alike goodContinue reading “The Marlborough Tavern, Bath”

The Inn at Freshford

Honey-coloured stone cottages, leafy courtyards, lamp-lit windows glowing in the dusk. Tranquil fields, wide-open skies, a gentle river flowing beneath an ancient bridge. Is Freshford — around 6m/10km south-east of Bath — the ultimate picture-perfect English village? That’ll be a yes, then. And, at the epicentre of village life, the historic Inn at Freshford. AsContinue reading “The Inn at Freshford”

Yum Yum Thai, Kingsmead Square, Bath

I’m not sure which one of us arrived in Bath first: Yum Yum Thai or me. What I am sure of, though, is that we’ve both been very happy here for around 26 years, which probably earns us both Bath institution status… and could lead to discussions about which one of us has aged best.Continue reading “Yum Yum Thai, Kingsmead Square, Bath”

The Marlborough Tavern, Bath

Raya’s Thai Thali

The roads are dark, a storm rages, and Brad and Janet are caught out by a flat tyre on their road trip to Dr Frank-N-Furter’s castle. However! “In the velvet darkness of the blackest night, burning bright: there’s a guiding star…” Okay, so Mike and I are more Magenta and Riff Raff than Brad andContinue reading “Raya’s Thai Thali”

Clayton’s Kitchen, George Street, Bath

Chef Rob Clayton has been doing his cheffy thing at his beautiful little brasserie that lights up George Street with radiant, fairy-lit fusion for 12 years. 12 years! In restaurant world — particularly in the current climate — that’s a massive landmark indeed. Today, this cornerstone of Bath’s independent restaurant scene is wholly deserving ofContinue reading “Clayton’s Kitchen, George Street, Bath”

Colonnade, Bristol

For him, it was Hawkwind in 1988. For me, the Chippendales, 1993. But by 2006, we (and our eclectic tastes) combined to create perfect harmony: Sparks, September 2006. The memories came flooding back as we took to a table adjacent to the very same historic, sandstone steps that we once stood on while queuing forContinue reading “Colonnade, Bristol”

Sunday Roast at Ludo, Bath

I’m not a fan of the Sunday Roast; why, in this day in age, would I get excited about a plate of dull meat served with sloppy, often unidentifiable veg, soggy spuds, a jug of dark brown gloop and an undercooked pancake batter iceberg? Oh okay, I know that I’m supposed to get all misty-eyedContinue reading “Sunday Roast at Ludo, Bath”