The High Pavement

a Moorish Tapas Bar in Frome

Since it opened as a pop-up in 2013, The High Pavement has been a firm Frome favourite. It is a true family business, run by couple Aimee and Stuart, and located in her parents’ former antique shop, below her childhood home.

The High Pavement was originally opened on a shoestring, drawing on the artistic talents of Aimee’s parents (who had always pictured their shop working as a restaurant), Stuart’s creativity with food and flavours, and Aimee’s natural warm hosting style. Like any good family-run restaurant, it’s a one-off, and Aimee and Stuart take pride in every aspect, being part of each evening service, alongside their team.

Before coming to Frome, Stuart worked at Moro in London, a Moorish restaurant run by husband and wife duo Sam and Sam Clark. There, he became inspired by the exciting flavours and smells, the impeccable service and warm working environment. These elements laid the foundations for The High Pavement, helping it to become an immediate hit with customers, with its outstanding menu and comfortingly laidback atmosphere.

“We love having a restaurant in this town - often half our customers know each other, which adds to the party atmosphere.”

The food at The High Pavement (and the reason it has something of a cult following) is all cooked by Stuart, and is inspired by his love of the robust, flavoursome cooking of Spain, North Africa and the Middle East. The ever-changing menu often includes dishes such as:

• Deep Fried Goat’s Cheese with Date Syrup,

Almonds and Mint • Salt Cod Croquettas with Smoked Alioli • Ras-el-hanout Cauliflower, Sweet Herb Borani,

Hazelnut Dukka • Ox Cheeks cooked in Rioja • Pistachio, Rosewater and Saffron Ice Cream

A new charcoal oven is currently being installed, meaning marinated skewers, flatbreads, grilled vegetables and much more, will be added to the menu.

The food is complimented by an excellent selection of wine from small growers, and an extensive sherry list, sourced from Valdespino, one of the only producers left who still use traditional methods of fermentation.

For the past seven years The High Pavement only opened on Friday and Saturday evenings, with a weekly changing menu. Now, Aimee and Stuart feel it is time to update their much-loved restaurant, undertaking a refurbishment and making changes to the way it is run. “Re-opening as a Moorish tapas bar has always been our dream, and will allow us to have a menu that is exciting and full of flavour,” says Stuart. The restaurant will also open an extra day a week, on Thursdays, and the terraced garden will now be in permanent use for dining with a new sail, meaning alfresco dining is no longer dependant on the Great British weather. Customers will be able to come for an evening meal, or just pop in, perhaps for a quick drink and bite to eat before the cinema.

“We’re really looking forward to having more capacity and welcoming old friends and new. We love having a restaurant in this town - often half our customers know each other, which adds to the party atmosphere.”

The High Pavement re-opens on Thursday 20th May, then every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 6pm.

To book a table please text 07967222682

www.thehighpavement.co.uk hello@thehighpavement.co.uk @thehighpavement