Reviews

The Gloucester Old Spot - Bristol Food Review

Posted on: 2018-03-22

Fantastically fresh and inventive dishes.

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When we heard that The Gloucester Old Spot had recently employed a new head chef and had a menu overhaul, we thought it was only right that we came round and gave it a try. I'm pleased to report that the new menu, the staff and the establishment itself all left a lasting impression on us on our first-ever visit. 

On arriving at The Old Spot, we were welcomed by the friendly bar staff and shown to our table in the corner of a beautifully lit and nicely understated dining area. I ordered the guest ale to drink, which was Mad Goose, a zesty pale ale, while my partner went for a glass of Old Press Shiraz. The staff at The Old Spot are really friendly and attentive, happily talking us through their new menu items. There were a couple of instances where staff had to double check on the details of certain things on the menu, but that was completely understandable given the recent overhaul.

 

When it comes to the starters, I'm afraid I've got some bad news to bring to you. The starter itself was delicious: my salt, pepper and chili flake squid was cooked just right, the whole pieces of squid perfectly complimented by a tangy garlic and lime mayo. The sweet potato, chili and thyme Soup of the Day was also a good choice, light and tasty with some homemade bread on the side. The bad news is that in my eagerness to eat, I forgot to take any pictures of them for this review. This, of course, is bad news for you and not for me, but rest assured that the starters looked as good as they tasted.

When it comes to the main, I wish I could spend this next paragraph describing one of The Old Spot's burgers, steaks or any other of their mouth-watering meaty menu items. Unfortunately, like many people, I'm looking to reduce the amount of meat in my diet, and as a result decided to be strict with myself and order the Buddha Bowl: a mix of sweet potato, shallots, carrot, radish and more served with a choice of dressing. To be fair, the dish was great and the accompanying honey-mustard dressing was unreal, but I couldn't help but regret my decision to take the moral high road as I eyed up some delectable-looking burgers as they were delivered to neighbouring tables.

 

The fish pie that my partner ordered was spot-on, with a mashed potato and cheese topping cooked to perfection and layered over a mix of fresh white fish, haddock, salmon, mussels and prawns. We shared a plate of sweet potato fries, which were also cooked brilliantly and seasoned well.

By the time we had made our way through our excellent starters and mains, we both decided that we were too full to give any thought to The Old Spot's dessert menu. However, next time I'm there I'll make sure to leave some room for their white chocolate and blueberry cheesecake, which looked superb. Instead, we opted for coffees to end with, a latte and a flat white, both of which were just what we were looking for to wind down after a heart-warming meal.

The coffees gave us a chance to move out to The Old Spot's garden at the rear of the pub, which is renowned in the area and a favourite among locals. It features a sheltered seating area, nice lighting and a huge astro-turf open area, which looks like it'd be the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.

 

I had never been to The Gloucester Old Spot before and so had never tried the old menu, but if you're yet to give it a go since they changed hands in the kitchen, or you've never been at all, I thoroughly recommend that you do. The staff are friendly, the food is great and the setting is perfect for a quiet evening with friends or family.

 

Food: 5

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 4

Value: 4

 

The Gloucester Old Spot is located at 138-140 Kellaway Avenue, Horfield, Bristol BS6 7YQ. To make a booking, you can contact them over the phone on 0117 924 7693, or via email. Alternatively, for more information or to check out the full menu, visit The Old Spot's website.

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