FOOD & DRINK
VEGAMAY, ANYONE? Vegfest is back with a bang; the UK’s biggest vegan event can now be found at the newly renovated Ashton Gate between 26-27 May. Expect a whole new bunch of features as well as the traditional favourites, at over 200 stalls spread over three main concourses. The £27.50 entrance fee, as you’d hope, includes a goody bag Full deets at www.bristol.vegfest.co.uk
MORE TASTY BITES TAKING THE PULSE The first British Dal Festival is set to run from 19-25 March. The brainchild of the British Edible Pulse Association, the Fest will take place throughout the city, with restaurants and eateries serving their own take on the dish in a Dal Trail; the best dish will be announced at the close of the festival. Among those on board will be 91 Ways, drawing on its multi-cultured community to create an eclectic online recipe collection; Incredible Edible, which will be planting lentils, peas and beans in The Bearpit; and Bristol Fruit Market, where chefs will be demo-ing dal recipes. The final and biggest event takes place on 25 March at Paintworks, with street food, markets, activities, demos and music.
Aine Morris, Pete SanchezIglesis, Dom Borel, Jamie Randall, Josh Eggleton and Keiran Waite
www.britishdalfestival.com
Gemma’s roses in progress
PARK STREET IN BLOOM It’s been a long time coming, but the successor to Goldbrick House will finally land at the end of the month in the form of The Florist. The latest in a small and select chain, the Florist’s offering looks set to be not dissimilar to Goldbrick’s – it’s a bar, it’s a restaurant, it holds cocktail classes and nightly DJs – and the décor promises to be beautiful. As shown in her Instagram, left, Bristol Life favourite Gemma Compton has been busily covering the walls with the most beautiful pink roses. We’ll be visiting very soon, and will report back asap.
CHEFS TAKE ACTION Never let it be said that Bristol’s chefs don’t do their bit; we’ve lost count of the ways that they’ve raised money for those less fortunate, whether through Street Smart collections or by donating the proceeds of one special dish to homeless charities. On the cover of this issue you can see some of the guys (and gal) preparing to swap their chef’s whites for walking boots before heading for the 2018 Action Against Hunger trek to Nepal – read more about it on page 90. And props to our own Jess Carter, editor of sister mag Crumbs – Jess is one of a bunch of local food writers who’ll be cooking a feast to raise money for the same charity. Too Many Critics takes place on 4 March at Bambalan. Tickets £45 from Wriggle. Jess isn’t terrified at all . . .
www.theflorist.uk.com
www.getawriggleon.com
THE DINNER’S THE THING . . . Hosting a big event? Want to be one of the very first to take advantage of Bristol Old Vic’s newly repurposed Coopers’ Hall? The elegant chandeliered space, formerly the mezzanine front of house for the theatre, opens as a dining venue in September. And if you’re planning a wedding, and are of the stage-struck persuasion, it’s the perfect place for a reception after tying the knot in the actual theatre. But where are all the It’s all part of BOV’s BOVTS kids going to re-invention as a place lounge about now...? that works as a theatre, a heritage venue and for events/socialising, with the latter two helping generate income to cross-fund the first – extremely important for helping the theatre continue their work. www.bristololdvic.org.uk
LAST BUT NOT LEAST . . . Congratulations to the Pony & Trap, listed second in the UK’s prestigious Top 50 Gastropubs Awards 2018. “Is there such a thing as the perfect country pub? If there is, then it’s likely to be the Pony and Trap in Chew Magna,” said the judges, who praised Holly Eggleton’s charming FOH as much as brother Josh’s bold flavours – “It’s almost as if he’s afraid of nothing in the kitchen!” they marvelled. We suspect the last three words are superfluous. www.top50gastropubs.com
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 47