A Rainy Lunch at Bellita

Last week on a rainy Friday Bristol Bites and I had arranged to try newly opened Bellita on Cotham Hill for lunch. I had only heard high praise from Instagrammers and Tweeters I was rather excited to be sampling the menu. Bellita, opened up by the Bell's Diner team, at the Flinty Red site follows a similar theme of Flinty, offering up small plates for sharing or hogging all to yourself. Influenced by Spanish, Moroccan and the Middle East flavour wise, the menu itself offers hugely enticing dishes separated out into veg, seafood and meat categories. I could have ordered everything it all sounded so delicious. 

But we decided to sample an Iberican ham croquette, regular readers will know my obsession with these is well documented, and potato and parmesan fritters from the bar menu. As well as rice, feta and saffron filo parcel with pumpkin borani and pistachios, artichoke, chicory, manchego, pear and almond salad with truffle oil from the veg menu. Finally from the meat menu pork cheeks cooked in Pedro Ximenez with cauliflower puree, wild mushroom and sage.

potato and Parmesan fritters

artichoke and manchego salad

saffron filo parcels

slow cooked pork cheeks

I was blown away by how good the food was. The salad was one of the best I've had in a long time, Wintery flavours with the right amount of truffle oil to bring it all together. It was earthy and yet slightly creamy and the artichokes were sliced wafer thin so they almost melted with the other ingredients when you took a bite. The filo parcels had a nod to Middle Eastern flavours and they were wonderful. Autumnal, nutty with a hint of  sweetness from the pomegranate. Those pork cheeks. Hugely rich, melt in the mouth, strong gutsy flavours I would order these again and again they were perfect.

I bow down before Bellita as food gods. I cannot wait for my next visit although with food this good I have a feeling it's going to be busy. To find out more about Bellita pop over to their website. 

Sunday Roast at Brewhouse Bar and Kitchen

The other weekend Brewhouse Kitchen opened on Cotham Hill, taking the place of The Hill, place of pizza and sport. As we lived nearby we got an invitation to have a roast on them so Beth, Rich and I decided to take them up on that. They have really spruced up the decor it's much cleaner, brighter and more stylish. It was also really busy, but when you offer up a free roast that is what you'll get. As Brewhouse is also a microbrewery Beth and Rich decided to sample some of the in house brews after a quick look at the menu we decided to share the beer can chicken, who can resist a whole chicken to share around?

Realising that we were bereft of crackling, we sneakily ordered a side order of it, as this is on the starter menu usually and it was a roast day so we thought, why not? I was pretty hungry after making sure I had extra room and attending the gym in the morning and eating lightly until our lunch appointment. The food arrived on a big dish so we could divvy up the portions family style, I was particularly glad to see a Yorkshire for each person, despite the fact we'd ordered chicken, why should beef get all the fun?

yorkshire fest

all the crackling

I'm not sure what I was expecting really but I was pretty impressed with the quality of the roast at Brewhouse. The portion was very healthy indeed, the whole chicken divided very generously between three and there were more than enough roasties to go round. The chicken was nice and juicy, no doubt from imbibing a whole can of beer. The cabbage was finely shredded and really creamy, almost stole the whole show, which for cabbage is quite a feat. The gravy was flowing free and more importantly it was fairly thick, cannot abide a watery gravy. The crackling was perfectly crunchy and salted, the only let down was the apple sauce was flavourless it needed some tang, so it would be good if this was tinkered with because the crackling is superb.

For £11.50 I was pretty impressed with the roast that was served up at the Brewhouse, the atmosphere was relaxed and the service on the day we were there was good. I would definitely go again, it was probably the most home made tasting roast I've had out, a solid effort, recommended. To find out more about the menus at Brewhouse check out their website.

Pre Theatre Dinner at Falafel King

Jamie and I were on our way to the Redgrave theatre on Percival road and we needed to stop for a quick bite to eat, my first suggestion was Falafel King. Jamie, having never been to this Bristol institution, readily agreed and we met outside ready for a quick dinner. I have been to Falafel King on Cotham Hill a number of times and it never disappoints, definitely the best falafel you will get in town, and so far I have yet to have a falafel to rival it ever, although the ones at Maroush in London came very close if not equal to. I ordered a small pitta where as Jamie went for the salad, two meals for under £10, a total bargain.

Falafel in pitta

falafel salad

falafel salad up close

We waited about 5-10 minutes for the food to be prepared as it was a bit busy but once it arrived we tucked in. Jamie was really amazed to see how much food came with the salad option at such a cheap price. It looked so fresh and delicious next time I might be tempted away from my usual pitta option, which was excellent as always. One of my favourite elements of Falafel King is their chilli sauce, I didn't overload mine quite as much as chilli fanatic Jamie but I love a little for a good kick.

Most people are already aware of the greatness of Falafel King I just wanted to shout loud and proud how much of a fan I am. They often have live music in the evening where you can snack on meze and enjoy some shisha so for all your falafel cravings and needs this is the best place in town. For more info on live music schedule or opening times check out their Facebook page. Next week I want to finally write up my first foray into katsu curry, so then you can all have a go at making it.

Planet Pizza Rebooted

Back in May, Rich and I checked out Planet Pizza on Whiteladies Road. In truth though the pizzas were tasty, if a little too doughy, the interior was truly dreary. It was way too dark and unwelcoming inside and it just didn't feel quite right, when you consider how The Burger Joint has turned around the interior of this venue you won't quite believe how bad it was before. Rich and I decided to visit the site of the new Planet Pizza, in the old Burger Joint spot on Cotham Hill, to see what changes had occurred.

Planet Pizza's New Home

The inside could not be more different, it's cosy, warm, welcoming and romantic with altar candles dotted on the tables. The lights were down fairly low and soul and samba beats were playing out at a pleasing level. For a Tuesday night it was about half full but we were there pretty early due to extreme hunger. On a Monday and Tuesday Planet Pizza operates a 2-4-1 policy on all of their 12" pizzas which is a complete steal. I expect it to get busier as the weeks towards Christmas progress and people's going out budget is  reallocated to presents.

Saturn and Meteorite

Saturn up close

Got to say we were both impressed Planet Pizza has really pulled it's socks up. Whereas earlier in the year I liked the pizzas, but thought the dough was too thick and filling, now they have improved the dough and have rolled it much thinner. They also now do gluten free bases which I know will be great news to my gluten intolerant friends who normally have to forgo this classic. 

The toppings were of great quality and very plentiful, they also went right to the edge which you don't normally get. I chose the Saturn, bacon, mushrooms and creamy gruyere whilst Rich went for the Meteorite, ham, chorizo, salami, pepperoni, sausage and jalapenos. The Saturn has almost topped my poll of favourite pizza in Bristol, but it will have to be content with 2nd place because my heart still belongs to the ham, artichoke, mushroom and olive pizza from Beerd. 

Meteorite

Now a perfect cosy Winter venue which is welcoming and warming. A great range of vegetarian pizzas this is the place for a bargain midweek meet up with friends or date night. Without the 241 offer the pizzas are pretty reasonably priced, check out their menu on the website.