The Board Room in Bristol scores top marks
Posted on: 2016-01-05
Our rating:
I am so glad to see this beautiful bar being loved again; it?s a really lovely and unusual space....you?re bound to see me at the bar, working my way through each new meat, cheese or chocolate as they arrive.
The Board Room in Bristol is a new bar and dining room located in the centre of the Old City, on St Nicholas Street. 365 Bristol sent one of our food and drink reviewers, Sarah Millington, over to find out all about this exciting new venue!
I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of The Board Room on St Nicholas Street in Bristol a couple of weeks ago, and I immediately loved the relaxed and stylish atmosphere. The staff there introduced me to my new favourite drink; Chambord and Prosecco, so as soon as I arrived for dinner, I knew what I’d be drinking! On my return on a dreary December Monday, the bar was pleasantly busy, with the log fire, fairy lights and candles creating a cosy retreat from the rush of Christmas shopping outside.
The Board Room offers a simple but comprehensive menu of cured meats, cheeses and bread, with many components being locally sourced. There are three different selection boards, or customers can choose their own components from a tick-box menu. The customisable style of the menu at The Board Room really appeals to me because I think my favourite type of food would be a love-child fusion of party food, canapés and tapas, and so anywhere serving sharing boards or small plates is just my cup of tea.
I was hard pressed to pick from the menu because it all sounded amazing, so we asked one of the owners, Alex Hazzard, to make a selection for us. He chose three meats and three cheeses. The three meats were Red Wine and Draycott Blue Salami, Somerset Cider Chorizo and Air Dried Rosemary Beef and Garlic. The three cheeses were Westcombe Cheddar, Cornish Blue, and Pennard Vale smoked (goats). Alex also added some White Nancy for us to taste - a superb unpasteurised soft goats cheese. The meats and cheeses are served on beautiful wooden boards, with dressed salad leaves with sun dried tomato, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cranberries, Boardroom dressing, and crushed walnuts. We also had bread (locally baked Mark’s Bread, and served with bottles of olive oil and balsamic vinegar) and chutney from the nearby Source deli. A board of six items + bread is a really generous portion, and is plenty for two diners as a proper meal. I could not have wished for a better selection for our board; the spectrum of flavours was spot on, and each item was really distinct but complementary to the others. When they’re done well, there are few better things to eat than bread, cheese and meat, and this was done beautifully.
Alex’s history as a patisserie chef means that he’s extremely knowledgeable about chocolate. This is reflected in the superb collection that is on offer if you fancy something sweet. The chocolates are made by Jayne Swayne of Swayne and Gilbert from Bisborough, near Glastonbury and the fudges are from the Bath Fudge Co. We tried the Black Forest fudge. This is no humble fudge; it’s fudge on the route to being chocolate truffle. Very rich, and satisfying with real depth of flavour and a silky, chewy texture. The chocolates had the black mirror shine that’s the hallmark of a skilled temper, and had an exquisitely crisp snap to their shells. We tried four flavours, Morello Cherry and Apple Eau de Vie, Brazillian Coffee and Somerset Cider Brandy, Ginger and Cardamon, and Tarragon and Sea Salt. They were all delicious, but the Tarragon and Sea Salt was sublime.
In addition to the chocolates and fudge, we tried something a bit more unusual from the ‘Sweet Indulgences’ section; hot spiced cider… with whipped cream. I have to admit, this is not a combination I would ever have thought to put together but I loved it! The addition of the cream makes the cider reminiscent of apple pie and cream, and how can that ever be a bad thing?!
I am so glad to see this beautiful bar being loved again; it’s a really lovely and unusual space. Alex and his team have really breathed life back into it and it already feels comfortable, familiar and vibrant. There are already plans afoot to develop a quality coffee and cake menu, ensuring that The Board Room can keep its clean and simple approach while still being as appealing at 11am as it is at 11pm. I look forward to seeing how The Board Room develops, and you’re bound to see me at the bar, working my way through each new meat, cheese or chocolate as they arrive.
Scores 5 out of 5 !
Reviewed by Sarah Millington
The Board Room, 20 St Nicholas Street, Bristol, BS1 1UB
Tel. 0117 9254617
Email. info@theboardroombristol.com
Web. www.theboardroombristol.com
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Tags : Charcuterie in Bristol, Fine Wines Bristol, Venue Hire Bristol, Corporate Events Venue in Bristol, Private Dining in Bristol, Cheese Boards Bristol, The Boardroom Bristol
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.
