No 51 - Bristol Food Review
Posted on: 2017-03-28
Our rating:
The combination of toppings on the ‘We are the champignon’ was a really satisfying one. Every bite felt varied, and I loved the fact that the mushrooms and squash still had a bit of body to them.
I love a good food pun, and on my recent visit to No 51 in Stokes Croft I was delighted to find that their pizza menu has some absolute gems. The ‘Stokes Squash’, ‘Living on the Veg’ and ‘Hey Pesto!’ certainly raised a smile, but the pun crown went to one of the specials, ‘We are the champignon’. Not only was the name a great one, but it sounded really tasty too; Portobello mushroom, garlic mushroom, Gorgonzola, spinach, butternut squash and garlic oil.
The pizzas are a good size for a hearty meal, and have a crispy, perfectly chewy crust and generous toppings. The combination of toppings on the ‘We are the champignon’ was a really satisfying one. Every bite felt varied, and I loved the fact that the mushrooms and squash still had a bit of body to them. I loved the sweetness from the squash with the garlic and the Gorgonzola. It was really moreish, but I somehow managed to leave myself a couple of slices to take home to have for lunch the next day (thus smugly being the envy of the staff room).
As you enter No 51 from Stokes Croft, you walk into the downstairs bar which is naturally drinks-orientated and quite dark, but head upstairs and the restaurant is much brighter and cosier. There’s also a lovely beer garden for when the weather is good. With the large tables and mismatched chairs, the restaurant feels pleasingly like being in someone’s house. As you walk into the restaurant, you can have a look at the kitchen and wood-fired pizza oven to your left, and a small bar to your right.
When you’ve had a look at the menu, you head to the bar to order, and when your food is ready it will be brought to you. This style of service meant we didn’t really see much of the staff, but they were polite and pleasant at the bar when we ordered, and our food came out quickly. Our waitress came over to check all was ok with the food while we were eating.
The pizzas range in price from £7.50 for the ‘Maggie and Rita’ (Margherita) to £9.75 for the ‘Salmon and Dill’ (sadly no pun on that one!) so they’re on a par with other Bristol pizzas, cost wise. The pizza menu has lots of tasty meat and veggie options, and No 51 can also provide Gluten Free bases for an additional £1.50, meaning that most tastes and dietary requirements can be catered for.
Bristol has many options for those seeking delicious pizza, and No 51 are certainly more than holding their own in the race for a pizza the action. (I told you I liked a food pun...)
Food - 4
Value - 4
Atmosphere - 4
Service - 4
For more info please visit 51stokescroft.com. Address: 51 Stokes Croft, Bristol, BS1 3QP. Tel: 0117 914 8048
Number 51, number51, no51, no. 51.
Article by:
Sarah is a writer and blogger, as well as running workshops and teaching. Her passions are food and travel, and you can follow her on Instagram at YesStarling and find her website at www.yesstarling.com .
