FOOD & DRINK

TASTY TIDBITS FROM THE CITY’S BEST RESTAURANTS, CHEFS AND PRODUCERS

New season of residencies at Kitchen by

KASK

Kitchen by KASK has announced a brand new line-up of dates that should be in every food-lover’s diary. Taking over the kitchen at the new North Street location, expect unbelievable flavours from some of Bristol’s best chefs, complemented with drinks chosen by the KASK team to perfectly pair with the food.

The new line up includes takeovers by street-food favourites The Cheese Guys, Peckers, King Fin and Fat Rice. Kicking off the season, Old Market’s popular restaurant Tomo No Ramen will be heading south of the river to create a temporary second-outpost until 4 February, serving up their banging-bowls of ramen combining local ingredients with traditional techniques in the casually-cool setting of the neon-clad dining area.

The Cheese Guys will be taking up residency between 9 –19 February, serving up a variety of dishes, both sweet and savoury, all centred around the hero of the night –cheese. With special Raclette evenings on Thursdays and a weekend/Sunday brunch menu (think brioche French toast with whipped ricotta, aubergine shakshuka and croque madame).

• Book a table at: kaskwine.co.uk

Aqua Grand Café opens its doors

The Aqua Grand Café is opening on Whiteladies Road on 6 February, with reservations now open. Book to reserve your table and experience a magical memory, as the team takes you through a journey of exquisite service, classical French cuisine with beautiful ambiance.

From early morning breakfasts with papers, to a bit of theatre at the tables with our head waiters filleting the finest of fishes such as dover sole meunière or the king of fish –a classic turbot. Why not unwind with a cocktail in the new cocktail lounge bar to take in the atmosphere...

• For more information, visit: aquagrandcafe.com

Critically acclaimed chef launches new restaurant

This month, West Country Chef Sebastian Merry is launching an exciting new concept restaurant on Whiteladies Road, fusing classical cooking with South East Asian influences and a playful take on traditional fine dining.

Situated at the site previously occupied by Flipside cocktail bar, A.B.O.E (which stands for A Bit Of Everything) will showcase Seb’s vast experience in the culinary world, fused with his passion for sustainability, locally sourced produce and a groundbreaking belief that outstanding food shouldn’t just be reserved for the world of fine dining and Michelin stars.

Having grown up just outside of Bristol, Seb’s love of food started at an early age, cooking with his grandmother, before making the move into professional kitchens at just 18. After competing in MasterChef: TheProfessionals, he moved to London, then France, working in one, two and three Michelin-star restaurants before spending five years as Head Chef at one of Mayfair’s best restaurants. His impressive resumé continued with a year as Head Chef at Sheer Rocks in Antigua, widely renowned as the best restaurant in the Caribbean, before a stint as private chef on a super yacht.

The menu at A.B.O.E will showcase Seb’s classical culinary training with a huge focus on championing local, seasonal produce.

• A.B.O.E will open in mid-February. Customers can register to be the first in the know by signing up to A.B.O.E’s newsletter at: aboebristol.com

Circumstance Distillery’s auction raises money for charity

Circumstance Distillery has auctioned bottle number two of its inaugural whisky release to raise funds for Shelter, with all proceeds going towards providing vital services and resources for those experiencing homelessness in our community. Bidders competed for the chance to own a piece of Bristol whisky history. The auction raised £350 for the charity, a vital contribution to their ongoing efforts to combat homelessness in Bristol.

A representative at Shelter said: “We are thrilled that the auction was able to raise such a substantial amount,” said a Shelter representative, “£15 could pay for a web chat for someone tackling homelessness, £20 could pay for a call to our helpline, £100 could pay for for face to face chats with an advisor. The money raised will be put to very good use.”

• circumstancedistillery.com; england.shelter.org.uk