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This Month's Restaurant Reviews...

BATH
Where did we go? The River Canteen
What did we eat?Starters of silky beef carpaccio and earthy chicken livers infused with just the right amount of chilli, and pumpkin and prawn risotto served in one half of the pumpkin. Mains of tagliata (a juicy on-the-bone sirloin steak topped with generous shavings of parmesan and a handful of rocket) and a specials-board fish dish consisting of spankingly fresh halibut in a luxurious white wine, mushroom and mustard sauces, with side orders of crisp roast potatoes and lemon oil-infused French beans scattered with roasted almonds. Puddings consisted of a sharing platter of fluffy brioche bun filled with pistachio ice-cream, a cube of creamy ricotta cheesecake and a deeply sensual chocolatey thing!
What did we think? A riverside revelation (Melissa Blease)

The River Canteen
Spring Gardens Rd, Bath
Tel: 01225 424800

Where did we go? The Mint Room
What did we eat? Starters of four fat, very fresh scallops seared with fennel, star anise and turmeric and served with roasted peppers and a lively onion and tomato relish, and two slabs of lightly charred swordfish resting on a smoky beetroot semi-puree and drizzled with honey and mustard. Mains of lamb shank slow-roasted to the point of a velvety tenderness that causes the meat to fall off the bone as soon as you show it a fork bathed in a gentle tide of onions, tomatoes, yoghurt and sesame seeds, and ‘Mango Mach’ – a combination of pan-fried red mullet simmered in five spice-infused coconut milk resting on a bed of soft, mustard spiced potato and topped with a sweet and sour green mango sauce. For pud – softly poached, spiced pear and a disk of creamy carrot fudge, both served with superb ice-cream.
What did we think? A chic, glamorous, innovative contemporary Indian experience. Highly recommended (Melissa Blease)

The Mint Room
Longmead Gospel Hall,
Lower Bristol Rd, Bath
Tel: 01225 446656
Web: www.themintroom.co.uk

BRISTOL
Where did we go? Brace & Browns
What did we eat? Starters of three tapas – three seared scallops with trails of sweet potato puree, a little bowl of crisp grilled mackerel in leafy salad and a generous heap of pesto and tomato sciacciatella. Mains of goat’s cheese and red onion omelette with hearty chips and salad, and a burger of rare-cooked beef and oozing blue cheese with parma ham
What did we think? Friendly smartness and carefully prepared, unfussy food makes for great ‘smart-casual’ dining (Tony Benjamin)

Brace & Browns
43 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol
Tel: 0117 973 7800
Web: www.braceandbrowns.co.uk

Where did we go? Maitreya Social
What did we eat?Starters of celeriac and almond soup with herby chermoula, and soft parsnip and cashew nut cakes with marinated fennel and salsa verde. Mains of trompette and chestnut mushroom ragout topped with sheep’s cheese with a garlic and tarragon polenta, and tarte tatin with smoked cheddar cheese, roast squash and caramelised onion on a stack of braised vegetables. Pudding of warm chocolate, plum and almond with ice-cream and butterscotch sauce to share.
What did we think? Still flying the flag for interesting and enjoyable meatless
cookery (Tony Benjamin)

Maitreya Social
89 St Marks Rd,
Easton, Bristol
Tel: 0117 951 0100
Web: www.cafemaitreya.co.uk

	This Month's Restaurant Reviews... BATH Where did we go? The River Canteen What did we eat?Starters of silky beef carpaccio and earthy chicken livers infused with just the right amount of chilli, and pumpkin and prawn risotto served in one half of the pumpkin. Mains of tagliata (a juicy on-the-bone sirloin steak topped with generous shavings of parmesan and a handful of rocket) and a specials-board fish dish consisting of spankingly fresh halibut in a luxurious white wine, mushroom and mustard sauces, with side orders of crisp roast potatoes and lemon oil-infused French beans scattered with roasted almonds. Puddings consisted of a sharing platter of fluffy brioche bun filled with pistachio ice-cream, a cube of creamy ricotta cheesecake and a deeply sensual chocolatey thing! What did we think? A riverside revelation (Melissa Blease) The River Canteen Spring Gardens Rd, Bath Tel: 01225 424800 Where did we go? The Mint Room What did we eat? Starters of four fat, very fresh scallops seared with fennel, star anise and turmeric and served with roasted peppers and a lively onion and tomato relish, and two slabs of lightly charred swordfish resting on a smoky beetroot semi-puree and drizzled with honey and mustard. Mains of lamb shank slow-roasted to the point of a velvety tenderness that causes the meat to fall off the bone as soon as you show it a fork bathed in a gentle tide of onions, tomatoes, yoghurt and sesame seeds, and ‘Mango Mach’ – a combination of pan-fried red mullet simmered in five spice-infused coconut milk resting on a bed of soft, mustard spiced potato and topped with a sweet and sour green mango sauce. For pud – softly poached, spiced pear and a disk of creamy carrot fudge, both served with superb ice-cream. What did we think? A chic, glamorous, innovative contemporary Indian experience. Highly recommended (Melissa Blease) The Mint Room Longmead Gospel Hall, Lower Bristol Rd, Bath Tel: 01225 446656 Web: www.themintroom.co.uk BRISTOL Where did we go? Brace & Browns What did we eat? Starters of three tapas – three seared scallops with trails of sweet potato puree, a little bowl of crisp grilled mackerel in leafy salad and a generous heap of pesto and tomato sciacciatella. Mains of goat’s cheese and red onion omelette with hearty chips and salad, and a burger of rare-cooked beef and oozing blue cheese with parma ham What did we think? Friendly smartness and carefully prepared, unfussy food makes for great ‘smart-casual’ dining (Tony Benjamin) Brace & Browns 43 Whiteladies Rd, Bristol Tel: 0117 973 7800 Web: www.braceandbrowns.co.uk Where did we go? Maitreya Social What did we eat?Starters of celeriac and almond soup with herby chermoula, and soft parsnip and cashew nut cakes with marinated fennel and salsa verde. Mains of trompette and chestnut mushroom ragout topped with sheep’s cheese with a garlic and tarragon polenta, and tarte tatin with smoked cheddar cheese, roast squash and caramelised onion on a stack of braised vegetables. Pudding of warm chocolate, plum and almond with ice-cream and butterscotch sauce to share. What did we think? Still flying the flag for interesting and enjoyable meatless cookery (Tony Benjamin) Maitreya Social 89 St Marks Rd, Easton, Bristol Tel: 0117 951 0100 Web: www.cafemaitreya.co.uk