FOOD AND DRINK NEWS

ANNA BLIGHTMAN As Bristol’s restaurants gradually return, we revive our five-minute chats with those who know the scene best. First up is Anna, the marketing manager for the Assemblies group, which includes The Canteen, Old Market Assembly and No. 1 Harbourside

Lockdown was crazy!” says Anna. “We went from three venues open seven days a week, to nothing. At OMA we expanded our pizza delivery service, opening up a collection service, and adding The Canteen to the offering.

Same great pizzas but with booze too. We also took the opportunity to revamp the décor of the The Canteen, while adapting to open post-lockdown. No.1 Harbourside had some renovations too, and is looking lovely now.”

Did any good come out of the pandemic at all? Bristol’s hospitality sector was amazing, and The Bristol Food Union was one of the best things to have come out of the pandemic. It really highlighted how collaborative the scene is here in Bristol. No competition, everyone was really happy to see other venues open when they could. It’s been really heartwarming.

What does the post-lockdown world look like at your gaffs? We’ve opened No 1 Harbourside and The Canteen five days a week (Wed-Sun); OMA has still to reopen. No.1 now has an online ordering system, where customers place their orders at the table, helping to minimise contact. We’ve got our great Sunday roasts

back on at The Canteen, and some really tasty new vegan dishes. Burgers are back at No.1 Harbourside too! We aren’t currently running any live music in our venues, but we hope to change this soon.

What can we, the customers, do to help you and other restaurants? Book ahead! You can now book at both The Canteen and No.1 Harbourside and it really helps. And show up! What the no-shows are doing to a fragile industry is really damaging. On the whole, our customers have been great. We’ve read the horror stories, but fortunately haven’t been victim to them. Come on over and spread the word. Positive reviews and friendly faces are what we need right now.

No 1 is back – with a Covid-secure environment and all these dishes you’ve been missing

What feedback have you had from customers? We’ve had some really great feedback, compliments on how well-run the venues are; clean and secure while retaining the atmosphere. People have loved our new menus, and we love people!

What are the new rules and changes we can expect? Overall, the eating out experience hasn’t changed too drastically. It might be odd sometimes to have your food bought to you by someone in a mask, but rather that than the alternative. Allow yourself more time, and be kind to the team serving you; everyone’s experiencing this at the same time, and everyone’s experience is slightly different.

For more: no1harbourside.co.uk; oldmarketassembly.co.uk; canteenbristol.co.uk

Old Market Assembly: hopefully reopening soon

MORE TASTY BITES

WELCOME BACK… . . . Salt and Malt Wapping Wharf ’s new small plates menu, based around locally sourced fi sh and shellfi sh.

“We love doing a proper takeaway, but serving a greater variety of the fi sh and shellfi sh on off er from British seas is really exciting,” said Josh Eggleton. “This celebration of British seafood has always been on the cards, and the appointment of Joseph Fowler as new head chef now makes it possible.” The small plates, including lobster, crab, oysters and brill ceviche, are for eat-in diners only. saltmalt.com/wapping-wharf . . .Temple Quay food market: back to thrill the tastebuds of the Temple Quay pro-service community, with new Covoid-related measures to create a secure environment, and a host of favourite smooth operators that include Ah Ma’s Dumplings, High Steaks, Niangs Thai Snacks and The Kitchen Chef; every Thursday lunchtime, between 11.30am to

WE ARE VERY HERE FOR…

2.00pm.

Seven Lucky Gods: still offering 50% off during September

WE’RE BOOKING FOR... . . . Help Out to Eat Out. The government scheme was such a boon to Bristol’s hospitality sector in August that many restaurants are continuing to off er 50% off food, up to £10 per person, during September – at their own expense. The list includes Bambalan, Bandook, both Bocabars, The Ox, Quay Street Diner, Seven Lucky Gods, Strawberry Thief, Thali Easton, Pizza Bianchis, The Coconut Tree, Lido and many more.

CHECK OUT...

. . . The Secret Larder, at Unit 4, Merton Road, just off the Gloucester Road. There are numerous reasons to visit this ‘artisan café with creative space’ – the cool décor, the great coffee, the food from local suppliers, Flint the black goldador puppy – and THIS giant squid, by our main man Jody, on the back wall. @thesecretlarder on insta.