Portishead, French Restaurant Guide

“The neighbourhood restaurant we all wish was around the corner” – Freddy & Nessa Bird opened this “tiny, rather cramped, off-the-beaten-track bistro” in Westbury Park in 2019 and ever since it’s gone from strength to strength (and “they now have a deli down the road too”, as well as opening 1 York Place this year, see also). “It continues to provide attractive, typically French dishes with enthusiastic service” and despite its peripheral location and modest size is the most commented-on spot in Brizzle in our annual diners’ poll (“vying for the top slot in the city, it’s always difficult to get a reservation which says much about its popularity with the well-heeled crowd”). On the downside, bills can seem nothing short of “extortionate for a ‘local’ bistro” (“the food is lovely, but my gosh it works out high on price”).

Twins Sergio and Pasquale Cinotti (a pastry chef) run this brave venture, which aims to bring the finest sourcing, seasonality and sustainability to a corner of Wales seldom associated with gastronomy. Despite having been the AA’s Welsh Restaurant of the Year in 2022/23 it inspired limited feedback in our annual diners’ poll. There are three-course, six-course and even a ten-course menu, ranging from £65 per person to £160 per person.

A “stunning neighbourhood restaurant in lively North Street”, and with a pleasingly “relaxed environment”, where fans say the “the food is Mediterranean-influenced and has shades of The River Café” (i.e., it’s relaxed, fresh and “very inventive”, but relayed in this case through small plates). The Bedminster corner site was opened in late 2022 by Sydney chef Mark Chapman (ex-of the local Gambas tapas bar).