The River Grille: A Review

I have eaten in many restaurants in my time, but none so close to home with a view that seemed to transport me so far away.

The River Grille, part of the Bristol Hotel, boasted a grand meal that we enjoyed early-evening before a trip to the theatre.

It was no problem that we arrived for our booking a little early, as we were escorted to the upstairs bar and presented with some salted nuts and vegetable crisps to accompany a bottle of rose that we had ordered whilst waiting for our table.

I also feel that a restaurant which goes above and beyond with free additions to the meal are always those that stick clearly in my mind as the best experiences. Not only did we enjoy the nibbles, but we were also treated to an amuse-bouche of pork croquettes- it is no hidden secret that I love my food, but with only a small stomach, these were the perfect substitute for a normal sized starter that I tend to avoid.

Sitting in the sun, under a glass roof and overlooking the river was the perfect setting to appreciate the food we were about to receive.

The seafood skillet was beautiful; a generous portion of seafood basking in a tomato and paprika sauce.

I did not believe that the garlic bread would act as the best accompaniment, but I could not have been more wrong. It was the perfect pairing.

The stone bass fillet was cooked very well, framing the restaurants ‘grilled’ title. The fish was flaky and was not lost in the strong flavour of the pumpkin mash. I especially enjoyed the lemony tang that followed every mouthful.

Partnered with the sweet wine and baking sun beaming across the antique restaurant, I truly could have been relaxing in the Mediterranean.

Anybody who knows me will know how much of a desert girl I am. The River Grille did not disappoint. We sampled the Oreo cheesecake; light and fluffy with a childhood-reminiscent biscuit crunch.

The chocolate and raspberry bomb surprise left me feeling certainly that, with the added excitement of watching the hot sauce melt away to reveal a chocolate cavern.

Stunning, delicious and a mark of modern culinary food experiences. The meals that incorporate taste with alluring, whimsical presentations always resonate with me.

The whole evening was made even more pleasurable by the talented pianist playing gracefully in the background, adding to the rustic charm and quaintness of The River Grille.

With the added bonus of 25% of our food bill, courtesy of The Gourmet Society, I will most definitely be returning to sample yet more of this exquisite food. I am often a harsh reviewer, but negative words fail me when I reminisce on my dining experience here.