Entertaining clients is always a tough responsibility – you want somewhere impressive but not too over the top, something that showcases the best of the local area, but isn’t too ‘local’. More than anything, you want to be sure of good food, good service and a good ambiance. Here are some of our restaurants picks in Bath and Bristol.
Bath
ACORN VEGETARIAN KITCHEN
Bath’s premium vegetarian restaurant, with an impressive enough menu to tempt even the staunchest of meat eaters. This bright bistro is located just behind Bath Abbey and has earned itself a great reputation for exciting, fresh and seasonal food which continues to impress.
If you have any vegetarians among your clients, this should be your first choice.
ALLIUM RESTAURANT
Part of the Abbey Hotel in the centre of the city, this multi award-winning restaurant makes a spectacular first impression but manages to stay the right side of sophisticated whilst still being cosy. The bonus of Allium is that once you’re done dining you can have a few digestif cocktails in the sumptuous Art Bar, which is mere steps away – even better if your client has managed to nab a room at the hotel above!
THE CHEQUERS
This may look like a regular gastropub tucked into a side street just behind The Circus, but the food at The Chequers is guaranteed to impress. Come here for a long working lunch, or pop in for one of their extensive tasting menus; a good compromise for when you’re wanting to show off the local pubs whilst providing a first class meal.
THE CIRCUS
Nestled between The Royal Crescent and The Circus, this petite restaurant prides itself on being sophisticated yet welcoming. The menu is as locally sourced as possible, with influences coming from across Europe.
Whether you’re coming for the location, the food or the ambience, The Circus will give any visiting client a good taste of Bath’s character.
CORKAGE
The perfect example of ‘small but perfectly formed’ – take a stroll down to Bath’s pretty artisan locale of Walcot Street to visit this wine shop which doubles up as one of the most unexpectedly brilliant restaurants in town, and will give any of your visitors a different side of the city. The kitchen may be teeny, but the quality of the rustic and well-presented food is first rate, and the fact that you have an extensive selection of fine wines a few metres away in the Corkage shop makes this place even more special.
HUDSON STEAKHOUSE
A luxurious dining experience just outside the centre of Bath, Hudson Steakhouse frequently gets praise for serving some of the best steak in the country.
Choose from 8 different types of steak, as well as lamb, fish or chicken from the grill. The cocktails and wine list are first rate too. One for the clients requiring more opulent or meaty dining options.
Bristol
BELL’S DINER
The epitome of fine dining in an unpretentious setting. The menu at Bell’s is based around small plates of seasonal food, executed perfectly. The menu changes frequently but always has a good mix of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes.
A calm oasis just off the busy stretch of Stokes Croft and quiet enough to have a good chat with your clients between mouthfuls.
BOX-E
Some of the city’s best food served in a small shipping container in the harbourside – BOX-E is one of the quirkier dining experiences you can take a client too, but a memorable one, both for location and the quality of the menu. The restaurant can only do 14 covers at a time, so booking is essential but definitely worthwhile.
THE OX
Not only one of the grandest dining experiences in Bristol, but also purveyors of arguably the best steak and cocktails for a 20 miles radius too.
The Ox has only been open a year, but the decadent interior in its central underground location and the high quality of its steaks mean that this restaurant has already become one of the best known in town. If you really want to make your guests feel special, take them here.
PASTA LOCO
It’s not been open long, but Pasta Loco has already been causing a stir among Bristolians. The pasta is made fresh twice daily, the cocktails and wine list are excellent and the service is warm and enthusiastic. If you want great food in a relaxed setting after a formal day at the office, this is one of the best options in town – just make sure you book in advance!
THE PUMP HOUSE
If you’re aiming to show off the Bristol’s main attraction, namely the scenic area of the harbour, the best stop off at the end of your exploring should be The Pump House, situated on the far end of the floating harbour.
With views across the water, over the fields of Long Ashton and above to the gleaming Georgian terraces of Clifton, the location of this historic gastropub is just as impressive as its first rate menu.
WALLFISH BISTRO
Classic recipes done with a West Country flourish is the name of the game here. Wallfish is a small and contemporary bistro that has become famous for its simple yet excellent food, particularly seafood.
This should be the main contender if you want to treat any clients to a trip around the picturesque area of Clifton during their visit.
