I know we’re a few weeks in now, but Happy 2015 everyone! I hope your year has got off to an exhilirating start, even in the financial drought of January. There’s already a fair bit going on, with even more coming up in February.
Buzzfeed did a list of Things You Need To Eat In Bristol Right Now, which I heartily agreed with, and then there was a sequel post, which I also nodded along vigorously to (most of the places feature in my 2014 Highlights Package along with some other treasures, if you want to continue the salivating).
Local food sites Bristol Bites and Rocket & Parmesan also updated their food deals pages, to help you fight through the bleakness between pay days. Now, let’s get on with what else is new or coming up!
Newbies!
There are a few new businesses to say hello to already – by the fountains you may have noticed that My Burrito is undergoing a refurb to turn in to Fuego, moving from being burrito-centric to a livelier latin restaurant. They’ve been doing a series of pop-ups at Alfred Place to test their menus on the public, so fingers crossed their ‘pork two ways’ (heh) and range of mini tacos will taste as good as they sound.
Alfred Place will then be hosting the exciting-sounding Pretentious Burger from Friday 6th- Sunday 22nd February for those of you who aren’t done sampling the burger wares of Bristol.
Up on Park St we’ve seen the arrival of The Flavour Sensation, with Kaspa’s Desserts to open soon a few doors away. The Hope & Anchor on Jacobs Wells Rd recently relaunched under new management, becoming a sister pub to The Volunteer Tavern (one of my favourite pubs, you may remember), so keep an eye out for more mighty roasts, tasty burgers and great beer; their garden is also a bit of a hidden treasure and worth the visit alone!
The street food scene continues to expand, with the popular Pickle getting an extra site on Victoria St, named Ickle – another place to get a top notch sarnie at lunchtime, hurrah!
Zero Zero should also be open soon and serving their pizzas to the lucky patrons of Easton. Are there any others you’ve seen that I’ve missed off?
In the mood for beer
First up in the events is something I’m so excited about that I jogged on the spot when I first saw it – Sat 31st Jan is Cake & Ale night at Brewdog, where you can sample some excellent cakes from the imitable Ahh Toots whilst supping a fine (strong) beverage.
Brewdog are also hosting a Mikkeller School on 7th February for those of you who want to learn more about beer, particularly those from this exciting Danish brewery.
On the subject of beer, there are also rumbles of a Wiper & True event at The Beer Emporium in mid February, so keep an eye to their website for further information.
Aviator in Redland are celebrating the return of the Six Nations this month with their meaty supper club events – you can 2 cheeseburgers for £10, or a rack of ribs and 3 thirds of beer for £15, perfect fare for an afternoon of shouting at some burly men on a field, no?
Valentines Schmalentines
The first thing that springs in to most people’s minds in February (whether for good or bad reasons) is Valentine’s Day, and as you’d expect there are several events going on across town for the more luvvy-duvvy among you.
Goldbrick House on Park Street is running an event with Flavour Smith – a 4 course French meal with canapes, bubbles and everything else needed for a special night (pro tip: their cocktails are great too) – check out the event page for tickets and more information.
The snazztastic Hotel du Vin is also doing a few special deals for the night – you can either take advantage of their steak deal (entrecote, wine & pommes frite for £25) or go for the full shebang with an overnight stay and luxury meal. The venue is pretty special on its own though, so you could always just take your beau in for a glass of wine and a cigar from their humidor, or just take your suit in ahead of time to get adjusted by their inhouse tailor (fancy, no?)
Under the Stars in the harbour are also doing their tapas & wine deal until the end of Feb which could be worth a look for those wanting a more understated evening (on a boat!) – you can get 6 dishes of tapas with a free bottle of wine, bargain.
If you fancy something a bit different for Valentines Day, or want to meet someone new, you can take part in sushi making at lovely Korean cafe Sky Kong Kong, or do a speed dating cookery class at Hamilton House. Or if you just want to party like it’s 1939, you can go to the Blitz Party at Milk Thistle. Phew!
Celebrate the Year of the Sheep
Another reason to celebrate this month is Chinese New Year, and Love Food Fest are celebrating it in their own way at Paintworks on Sunday 15th Feb, with food stalls and activities for all ages.
Or you could go down the more traditional route and go along to Wai Yee Hong in Eastville for their Chinese New Year celebrations on Saturday 21st February from 11:30 – there will be traditional dance troupes, performances from local Chinese schools and lots of yummy food stalls. They’ll also be lighting a traditional Chinese firecracker to make sure that The Year of the Sheep gets off to a good start!
Whats-a Wassail?
Finally, it’s also the season for traditions that originate a little closer to home. Wassails are a traditional way to bless the apple trees and ensure a good harvest for the following year – so not only is it a good opportunity to drink cider and hear some good music, but the costumes and individual local traditions surrounding each ceremony are worth a visit on their own!
Keep an eye out for wassails in your area, but some key ones in Bristol are at the City Farm in St Werburghs on Saturday 31st January, or at Feed Bristol in Broomhill on 7th February.
More Dates for the Diary
Wed 28th – Tap room opening at Moor Beer brewery near temple Meads, with food from Viet Vite!
Thu 29th – Fish & Shellfish tasting menu at The Pony & Trap
Thu 29th – Gin Club at Milk Thistle
Fri 30- Sat 31st – Cider Festival at The Passenger Shed
Sat 31st – Clandesdiner supper club
Sat 31st – Cake & Ale night at Brewdog
Sat 31st – Wassail at the city farm in St Werburghs
Sun 1st – Extract Coffee and pastry tasting at Hart’s Bakery (£10)
Fri 6th-Sun 22nd – Pretentious Burger pop-up at 40 Alfred Place
Sat 7th – Mikkeller School at Brewdog
Sat 7th – Wassail at Feed Bristol
Wed 11th – Cheese & wine tasting at Arch House Deli
Wed 11th – Lagunitas brewery tap takeover at Small Bar
Thur 12th – Spanish cookery & language class at Coexist Community Kitchen
Fri 13th – Spotless Leopard vegan pop-up in Clifton
Fri 13th – Flavour Smith Valentine’s Day event at Goldbrick House
Fri 13th – Tapas and dating at The Little Kitchen
Sat 14th – Valentine’s 6 course meal at The Rummer
Sat 14th – Sushi making at Sky Kong Kong
Sat 14th – Speed dating cookery course at Hamilton House
Sat 14th – Blitz Party at Milk Thistle
Sun 15th – Love Food Fest celebrating Chinese New Year at Paintworks
Tue 17th – 3 course Berni Inn revival meal at The Rummer
Wed 18th – Cheese & wine tasting at Arch House deli
Thu 19th – Spanish cookery & language class at Coexist Community Kitchen
Wed 25th – Wiper & True tap takeover at The Beer Emporium
Thu 26th – Milk Thistle Gin Club (£17.50)
Thu 26th – Supper Club at The Lazy Dog
Thu 26th – Best of Street Food cookery class at Little Kitchen
Thu 26th – Cocktail Time Machine at Hyde & Co
Fri 27th – Cake and Cocktails at Hyde & Co
Sat 28th – Chicken 4 Ways cookery class at Little Kitchen
Enjoy your frolics in February!
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A Life Less Organised 
Definitely just got brownie points for passing on the Wiper & True event whisperings to the bf and his mates. Great post!
Oooh great information lovely! Makes me miss the south west! x