Prince of Wales - PoWtatoes Bristol Food Review
Posted on: 2017-05-19
Our rating:
Cheekily called PoWtatoes (Ha! You see what they did there?) The Prince of Wales in Bristol have taken the traditional, classic jacket spud and given it a refreshing, dynamic new spin. A modern twist on an old favourite, if you will.
For me, the best pubs in Bristol are the ones which don't change very much, if at all, over the years; the alehouses and emporiums that remain reassuringly familiar, friendly and welcoming, like a kind of public house version of pair of cosy, fluffy slippers. If such a comparison can be made then The Prince of Wales on Gloucester Road more than fits the bill. In fact, the only thing has changed intermittently over the years are the menus, and their latest one offers a new and exciting range of jacket potatoes with some interesting, globally-inspired choices of filling.
We have the likes of Bomber, essentially a reimagining of everyone's fave spud filling of baked beans with a choice of cheesy toppings such as Cheddar, Stilton and Mozzarella. Or how about the more unconventional and amusingly monikered Suit & Thai, with its filling of smoked tofu, satay sauce, cashew, chilli, coriander and lime. Then again, your gustatory senses might be aroused by Smoking, stuffed with smoked salmon, dill cream cheese, lime and black pepper.
Popping in on a Thursday evening looking for a bite to eat to satisfy my increasingly rumbling tummy, it was like meeting an old friend. The Prince of Wales has remained a regular haunt for me dating back from my college and university days (oh, those hazy, hedonistic nights of cider-fueled carnage), and it has remained fittingly, staunchly independent on a stretch of road that boasts some of the best independent shops on the planet.
From its vibrant graffiti frontage depicting various real ale hand pumps to its multi-coloured glass windows, flagstone floors and large tables with striking cast iron claw feet, it's simultaneously contemporary yet off-beat, individual and distinctive. There's also a selection of books to read and game to play if that takes your fancy bewtixt the dining and supping, and lest we forget the covered back garden too, which is always a welcome drinking nirvana when the sun decides to shine and if you're in desperate need of a Capstan full-strength.
There's a fine, impressive range of libations to whet your whistle covering soft, alcoholic, locally sourced and organic beverages. Real ale aficionados can quaff Bath Ales Gem, Otter Amber and Butcombe Gold, while cider swiggers can partake in a pint or three of Ashton Press, Symonds or Addlestones.
My Blazer (£6.50) was loaded with beef brisket chilli, avocado, salsa, soured cream, Cheddar and coriander. The potato - which you can also order in its sweet version for an extra pound - was the epitome of perfection; charred and crunchy on the outside, marvelously fluffy on the inside, while the brisket was tender and succulent with a chilli hit that was fiery and zingy but not too intense; aided, abetted and tempered by the salsa and soured cream which made every mouthful a pure potato-chomping pleasure.
My friend's Fleece (£6.50) was rammed with Moroccan lamb tagine, soured cream, mint and pomegranate; the lamb possessing a fragrant, spicy hit that was noticeable but not excessive and soothed by the perfect addition of the soured cream and mint, with the scattering of pomegranate seeds adding a pleasant, refreshing sweetness and crunch.
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The potatoes themselves were incredible; massive and possibly grown as some kind of great experiment in collaboration with Captain Nemo, and the kind of proper, real, old school tatties that make you feel hearty, good and satisfied - well cooked, blistered, charred and utterly fabulous. PoWtatoes takes the old spud favourite and ramps it up a few notches to the levels of something truly exceptional. These aren't just jacket potatoes, these are PoW jacket potatoes, and with such love, care and attention (and generosity of portions bordering on the obscene) poured into each dish and served up by genial staff in one of the best pub gaffs in the city, you really, simply can't go wrong.
Food - 5
Value - 5
Atmosphere - 5
Service - 5
For more info please visit www.powbristol.co.uk and keep up to date via their Facebook Page. Address: 5 Gloucester Road, Bristol, BS7 8AA. Tel: 0117 924 5552.
Article by:
Jamie is a writer, blogger, journalist, critic, film fan, soundtrack nerd and all-round Bristolian good egg. He loves the music of Philip Glass, the art of Salvador Dali, the writings of Charles Bukowksi and Hunter S Thompson, the irreverence of Harry Hill, and the timeless, straw-chomping exuberance of The Wurzels. You can sometimes find him railing against a surging tide of passing cyclists, or gorging himself senseless on the Oriental delights of a Cosmos all-you-can-eat buffet.
