Bristol's Slow Food Market

Did you know? On the first Sunday of every month, from 10am-3pm, the UK's first regular Slow Food market brings the very best local, seasonal, traditionally-produced food and drink from all over the South West to Corn Street in Bristol. Corn Street is just 4 minutes walk from the school.

There's everything you need for a perfect Sunday lunch, as well as fish, cheese, bread, sausages, beer, cakes, preserves, herbs, spices and, of course, Somerset's famous cider, perry and apple brandy. Hot food is also available, and there are regular cookery demos from some of Bristol's finest chefs.

For people who are interested to find out more about Slow Food in Bristol, there is a very informative website, which details group activities that you are welcome to join:

Slow Food Bristol, the Clifton Club, and Andrea Leeman invite you to a supper of Gloucestershire food and drink to celebrate the publication of Andrea’s new book, A Taste of Gloucestershire.
We pre-mentioned this a little while ago and already have bookings. Now here are the details:

Tuesday 10 November, 7.30 to 10.30, The Clifton Club (22 The Mall, Bristol BS8)

The new book is the third in a series including the much praised Tastes of Somerset and Devon. Andrea Leeman is a writer, cook, former restaurateur, Bristol resident, and, jewel in the crown of her achievements, a member of Slow Food Bristol. She has selected the ingredients for the meal from among the fine Gloucestershire producers her book features, and we’re hoping some of the producers will be present. Andrea herself will be, of course, to tell us about the book, answer questions etc.

We’re delighted to be able to stage this event in the magnificent premises of the Clifton Club, which if you’re unfamiliar with them, constitute a reason by themselves for coming to the do. Click link above for details of the Club (founded 1818, moved in 1882 to present premises designed by the eminent Francis Greenway, the Father of Australian Architecture.)

The buffet will be prepared by the Club’s chef, Douglas “Dougie” Bonar, one of the least publicized foodie names of Bristol, in keeping with the general air of discretion about the patrician joint he officiates over, but whose background (the Savoy,etc ) indicates he can tell a mandolin from a timbal.

The menu will include:
Smoked eel on rye bread with horseradish

Gloucestershire hommity pie

Potted ham with sage and nutmeg

Roast beetroot salad with walnuts, dressed with walnut oil and sea salt
Walnut bread and local cheeses

Apple tart and cream
Included in the price is a glass of wine or perry

The damage: a mere £15 for members or £18 for non-members

There’ll be a paying bar for additional liquid sustenance.

Book asap to avoid the ignominy of standing in the Mall gaping enviously at the croute of gastro-Bristol stepping out of their carriages into the glow of chandeliers and popping of corks from jeraboams of perry.

Letter of Complaint

Dear Mr Cabas

Last week I chose your restaurant to celebrate my birthday, my purpose was to enjoy a succulent meal but probably I was expecting too much.

It took about a century until the waitress came to us so I could not wait more for my paella, but what was put in front of me cannot be described as restaurant food by anybody. Looking at the menu my vision was a tasteful dish of paella, but, unfortunately, I got an amount of totally insipid rice with some pieces of rubbery and underdone meat that was impossible for me to guess from what kind of animal it came.

Finally, I finished that experiment of paella and I asked fo rmy dessert. My hope was to forget the experience by tasting sweet fruit, but it turned out to be horrible. It was like the MRE's I had to wolf down during my training in the army. I cannot understand how anybody can cook food even worse than the food of the MRE's.

Have you thought about making a deal with the army? Today I do not know how I was able to pay for that meal, but now I urge you to refund me my money.

Yours sincerely,

Miguel Carras Miguez