Carol’s Crab Kitchen – Bristol Food Review
Posted on: 2017-07-11
Our rating:
After Carol’s Crab Kitchen created quite the buzz in its few weeks since taking over the kitchen at The OId Butcher’s, I was full of anticipation in the days between booking and attending. It turned out that my excitement was well founded.
The immediacy with witch you feel comfortable after setting foot inside The Old Butcher’s is testament to the work done by the staff to create an atmosphere of inclusivity. Doting couples sit side-by-side with birthday groups and, when I visited with my wife, there was no hint of anyone having something other than a great time.
Being a review, I hoped to experience a range of things, rather than simply what I fancied from the packed menu. I asked for their recommendations and duly followed their advice. Luckily, everything offered was something I would have chosen. In fact, I would struggle to find something on the menu I wouldn’t have ordered.
Anything can sound great when read from a menu but the proof comes when the dish arrives at your table, you see it for the first time, and take that first bite.
Soft shell crab was the only thing I would have insisted on had it not been recommended. A hulking portion of crustaceans descended upon my table and looked fantastic. The idea of soft shell crab is perhaps not for everyone but for this Welsh glutton it is a must-order if ever I see it. This, quite frankly, was the best I have ever tasted I the UK. It gave New Orleans a run for its money. They were served with a green papaya slaw that added a little something extra and certainly a great accompaniment. When I inevitably return I’ll definitely try the burger version that’s available.
Deep fried pickled shiitake mushrooms. Not something you come across every day but certainly an interesting take on the ‘breaded garlic mushroom’ idea. These will also feature on my order when I next visit. The light breading and complete absence of oiliness combined with the inherent deep flavour of shiitake mushrooms themselves partnered brilliantly with the sesame dip.
Despite eating more chicken wings than most people in Bristol, they weren’t something I would have ordered when first visiting a crab kitchen. Thankfully the good people at The Old Bookshop saw fit to offer them and I received some of Bristol’s best. It’s comforting to know that if I were to invite friends for an occasion and perhaps one didn’t like seafood, they could still enjoy something great.
I have to say that the crab cakes were not the best I have tasted. I found them a little bland. That said, my wife, who isn’t the biggest seafood fan in the first place, quite enjoyed them. I can only go on what I thought but clearly they were for some but not for others. I was looking forward to them but they disappointed somewhat when compared to the excellence of the other dishes. When I’ve worked my way through the rest of the menu over the coming weeks I’ll certainly give them another go.
Jesse and I were far too full for dessert but we spotted perhaps my favourite dessert. With that in mind we selected the posset. Despite looking about as stunning as a posset can, it was perhaps a little too bitter for my taste. Maybe I’m being too harsh as it’s about the only dessert I would never turn down so my standards are high but, like the crabcakes, another usual favourite of mine, I would order something different next time. Again, like the crabcakes, my wife liked it! So give it a go for yourself and I would love to be proved wrong - she would love that too - as this venue is already a firm favourite of mine after just one visit so don't let it put you off.
The menu combines single dishes with ones designed for two or four people. With tantalising sides and a great selection of drinks, this should be a menu that pleases all visitors in some way.
All in all it was a great evening and that’s why we dine out, surely? It’s not just about the food. Even the two dishes that I was slightly underwhelmed by couldn’t detract from the three that were superb and the evening as a whole. I would thoroughly encourage you to visit for any occasion.
Atmosphere - 5
Food - 4
Service - 5
Value - 4
For further information please visit The Old Butcher’s Facebook page. Address: 57 North St, Bristol BS3 1HJ. Call: 0117 963 3166.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
