Bravas, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Bravas

Opened a year or two back by husband and wife team Kieran and Imogen Waite who previously ran one of Bristol’s renowned underground supper clubs, this is much more of a tapas bar than your traditional pub although there is nonetheless a small bar counter with stools where you can sup your pint, although your just as likely to find these in use by diners as drinkers. We have tried to get in here on a number of occasions previously, but have always found it full to capacity. Having eventually made it in that lull between Christmas and New Year, we were surprised to find that you can in fact reserve tables. Being very small and informal looking, we had always assumed that this would not be possible.

It’s a small, single room L-shape pub with the bar counter and kitchen on the right. Stools are lined up around the bar as well as in the window which is a pleasant enough spot to sit and watch the world go by. Decor wise, the walls are mostly whitewashed plasterwork with some exposed stonework on the right. To the left is some black shelving with a number of books and numerous cans of tomatoes, chick peas, etc. There was also a small display cabinet of some of the tapas dishes adjacent to the bar counter.

Food wise, the options are all tapas as mentioned previously and consist of a good selection of dishes, mostly in the £2.50 - £4.50 range, although I suspect that the precise selection changes each day as the menu was dated at the top. Being authentically Spanish, some of terms such as membrillo, migas and boquerones needed translation, but the friendly waiter, who also seemed authentically Spanish, was happy to assist. We thoroughly enjoyed the selection that we had, particularly the “Duck egg with chorizo migas”, “Spiced winter lentil salad” and the “Patatas bravas” and now that we know we can reserve tables we will certainly return.

Unfortunately there were no ales on tap, real or otherwise. The only draught offering was a continental lager of some description. Bottle wise, the beer choice consisted of a couple of options from the Bristol Beer Factory and one from the Camden Brewery, whilst the solitary cider was Ashton Press. Overall I really liked this and have marked it accordingly, but readers should bear in mind that it is most definitely not a pub in the traditional sense.

On 30^th December 2013 - rating: 9
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