The Ashton, Bristol

Official site of The Ashton - www.theashtonbristol.co.uk

Since my previous review, this pub has been completely gutted by a massive fire which left only the walls standing. It’s now been open for a year or so after being rebuilt and renamed. First impressions are quite good and they’ve clearly spent a bit of money on it with white gravel beds around the car park and a pleasant patio area with uplighters in the floor, decent patio furniture and a large cauldron that could perhaps be used for barbecues, although currently seemed to be more of a giant ashtray. Inside it is inevitably quite contemporary being a new build, but they’ve done a decent job of it and thankfully avoided the current trend for the stripped back industrial look. It’s a good size internally and a little more open plan than previously. To the left is a good sized room with floor to ceiling windows to make the most of the views over Ashton Court estate and a large, central free hanging chimney clad in wood with some sort of fire pit beneath. Flooring throughout the pub was tiling of one sort or another and included quarry, flagstones and slate among others. To the right of the bar counter was a glass display rack of spirit and champagne bottles. Down a couple of steps was a long room running along the front of the pub which was perhaps more intended for dining. A dual aspect fire-place was at one end of the room and the usual exposed filament light bulbs hung from the chunky pine ceiling. Some exposed stone walling ran along one side with wood panelling on the other. A smaller room was through an archway with a large brick fire-place and cast iron chimney hood. The menu offered a good selection of dishes and included your usual pub grub options such as burger, fish & chips, chicken & ham pie, etc., as well as a few more adventurous dishes. Prices were perhaps a little more than your usual pub fare though, with most of the main courses being anywhere from around £11 to £20+. My prawn, crab and chorizo linguine was tasty enough if a little on the sweet side, but not really worth £13.50. Beers on tap were Butcombe, Tribute and Ubu Purity, whilst the solitary cider was Mortimer’s Orchard.

Official site of The Ashton - www.theashtonbristol.co.uk