And just like that, we’re into 2018!

2017 was a bumper year for food in Bristol (as you can see in my 2017 Highlights post) and now it’s time to look forward to a whole new year of munching.

Whether you’re on or off the booze this month, this is what January has in store…

swoon

Veganuary

The first of the January pormanteaus (or Janmanteaus, if you will), Veganuary is a chance for you to dial back on the meat and enjoy some vibrant veggie dishes. Plenty of restaurants in Bristol already offer up a great selection of veg dishes, but here are a few specials to look out for:

  • Swoon have got some special new vegan flavours this month: Chocolate, Hazelnut & Orange, Peanut & Almond Milk, Raspberry sorbetto, Pistachio sorbetto, and Almond, Cinnamon, Date & Maple Syrup gelato (phwooooar). These will be available alongside Swoon’s regular vegan sorbetti – Chocolate or Mango (both lush).
  • Turtle Bay have a decent vegan selection as it is but have launched a few new veg dishes, including Curried Chickpea with Peppers & Mushroom wrap, Festival Salad and spicy one-pots Ital Rundown and Spinach Aubergine & Sweet Potato Curry.
  • Pieminister have introduced their latest vegan pie, curiously named Kevin. Filled with chestnut mushrooms, tomato, red wine with baby onions, red quinoa and thyme, this one sounds like a winter winner. If you’re not too keen on pastry they’re also doing a vegan potato-topped skillet dish called Roots Manoova, which contains roasted root vegetables, quinoa and red wine.

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Tryanuary

It’s not just the month of self restraint and detoxing – January can also be a month to start afresh and try something different! Tryanuary is all about getting out of your beery comfort zone and trying some brews you haven’t done so before.

Several of Bristol’s breweries and bars are getting in on the fun with special events:

Plus special flights every weekend at the Wiper & True brewery.

Belly Laughs

Have a giggle while you munch, and raise money for charity too. I’m going to a few of these, so hopefully see you there!

  • Sun 7th – comedy at The Elephant House in Bedminster, with food from Bosh! £15 inc food (BYOB)
  • Thu 11th – comedy at Box-E in Wapping Wharf, £10, food extra (deals on the night)
  • Thu 11th – comedy at Gopal’s Curry Shack in Wapping Wharf, £18 inc food.
  • Mon 15th – comedy at The Curry House in Brislington, £15 inc food.
  • Tue 16th – comedy at The Oxford in Totterdown, donations on the night.
  • Thu 18th – comedy workshop at Hart’s Bakery, £20.
  • Thu 18th – comedy at Bean Tree Cafe in Staple Hill, £10, drinks & nibbles extra.
  • Fri 19th – comedy at The Pickled Brisket in Wapping Wharf, £15 inc a fancy sandwich.
  • Fri 19th – comedy at Bristol Spirit in Whitehall, £10, cocktails & nibbles extra.
  • Sat 20th – comedy at Pinkmans on Park Street. £18 including mezze and doughnuts.

More info on the Belly Laughs page, or email januarybellylaughs@gmail.com for tickets!

Burns Night

You’ve got a few options if you want your fill of haggis, whisky, neeps and tatties to honour the late great Scottish poet!

Burns-night-dinner-1

Classes & Workshops

Start the year by learning something new!

Little Kitchen Bristol

Newbies

There have already been a few exciting announcements for imminent openings in the city, from hotly-anticipated Pasta Ripiena, Roots Lounge and The Florist in the city centre to new taprooms for Left Handed Giant, Dawkins and Arbor Ales in the coming months.

I’m also particularly excited for the opening of Burger Bear on Gloucester Road and Woky Ko 2 on the Triangle – there’s also an extensive list of new food & drink openings on Bristol 24/7.

burger bear
More burgers? Yes.  But good ones.

On a similar theme, I posited some 2018 food trends for Wriggle – let me know what you think over on the Twitter or Facebook!

That’s it for this month – short and sweet. If you’re on the look for other blog posts to read:

Dates for the Diary:
(or check the Calendar)