Reviews

The River Grille in Bristol - Food Review

Posted on: 2015-06-26

The River Grille has developed a reputation for serving excellent food, and based on our experience this is certainly well founded. This is the perfect setting for a low key lunch and we shall definitely be back.

---

Looking to find a restaurant where we could get a quick lunch during a busy weekday in Bristol, my sister and I were drawn to The River Grille and their offer of an Express Lunch for £10.

Located on Narrow Quay in Bristol, The River Grille boasts one of the city’s most stunning locations with glorious views across the beautiful and vibrant harbourside. Though attached to the Bristol Hotel this doesn’t have the feel of your run of the mill hotel restaurant and steers clear of the corporate branding one would expect, giving the place the feel of an independent establishment. Boasting floor to ceiling windows on two sides this is a light and airy venue, with contemporary décor, wooden floors and plenty of space between tables.

Arriving on one of the sunniest days of the year we were lucky enough to be seated at a window table, the perfect location to indulge in a little people watching as we sipped on glasses of sparkling apple and elderflower juice (£3 each) whilst discussing the menu and making the all-important choice as to what to eat.

The Express Lunch menu comprises of a choice from three options of soup, salad, main course and dessert which are all delivered to the diner at the same time meaning you can be as quick or leisurely as you like. The menu changes daily and reflects the very best of West Country produce that the restaurant prides itself on serving. Whilst the initial thought of a four course lunch was a bit of a concern to those of us used to a lunchtime light bite, it soon became clear that these were small portions put together with the aim of creating the perfect sized midday meal.

With everything on the menu sounding delicious, choosing what to eat was a difficult task. Eventually I plumped for the leek and potato soup, Caesar salad, grilled chicken with quinoa and mango salad and orange panna cotta dessert. Whilst my sister chose white onion soup, mixed leaf salad, grilled halloumi and mixed vegetables, with apple crumble to finish.

When the food arrived it was displayed like a piece of artwork and it was almost a shame to dig in. We both found our soup to be very tasty; creamy and thick and perfectly seasoned. The salads were crisp and light and the croutons in mine beautifully crunchy.

As for the main course, my chicken was nicely grilled and mouth-wateringly tender and the quinoa which can so often taste a little bland was infused with coriander and the contrast of the sweet mango brought out its naturally nutty flavour. Meanwhile my sister’s food was so impeccably cooked it elicited an exclamation of joy when she sank her teeth into the perfectly grilled fleshy slice of halloumi and it demonstrated just the right amount of ‘squeak’!

And then to dessert. With my undeniable sweet tooth this was always going to be the highlight of the meal. My magnificently creamy orange panna cotta accompanied by a crisp biscotti was a delightful sweet indulgence. My sister’s choice of pudding very much met with her approval; the tart apple mixed with sweet, velvety custard and topped with a buttery crumble topping rounding the meal off nicely.

During our visit the service was faultless, the staff efficient, polite and attentive and the atmosphere was relaxing and informal. The River Grille has developed a reputation for serving excellent food, and based on our experience this is certainly well founded. This is the perfect setting for a low key lunch and we shall definitely be back.

4/5

Reviewed by Sarah-Jane Howard for 365Bristol - the leading events and entertainment website for Bristol
 

The River Grille is located at: Prince Street, Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QF.

Tel: 0117 923 0333

Click for The River Grille website

---