The Ivy Bristol Review

The Ivy Spreads to Bristol

Of all London’s high-end restaurants, few draw the city’s movers and shakers quite like The Ivy. It’s been up and running as a restaurant in various guises since 1917 and has, over the years, built a reputation founded on delicious food, immaculate surroundings and impeccable service.

Until recently, we Bristolians had to travel to the capital to experience the Ivy’s unique brand of fine-dining — but this is no longer the case. A new branch opened up in Clifton very recently, sending a frisson of excitement through the city’s diverse and eclectic culinary scene.

Within a few short seconds of stepping inside, it’s not hard to see why…

Décor

The walls of the Ivy Clifton are adorned with art-deco artworks drawing attention to the city’s rich marine, rail and aeronautical heritage. Line-drawn hot-air balloons jostle for space on the walls against colorful ships’ rudders and pictures of magnificent flying machines — the venue is as much an art gallery as a restaurant.

Enormous pillars line the centre of the space — lending a real sense of stature — and steps lead down to a more secluded orangery off to the side. The bar is beautifully designed to complement the attractive interior, and elsewhere marble table-tops and ornate lighting complete the picture.

Food

A cursory glance at the Ivy’s menu is enough to tell any diner they’re in for something special. The breakfast menu offers delicate treats such as eggs royale or avocado and spinach benedict, all available with a broad range of pastries, crumpets and preserves.

At lunch, you can expect savouries such as cucumber and dill sandwiches, smoked salmon on dark rye with cream cheese and chives, or fruit scones with Cornish clotted cream. For something a little more substantial, there’s an impressive selection of filling sandwiches and desserts including pannacotta and chocolate truffles.

But it’s arguably for dinner that the most eager of the Ivy’s new clientele will visit, and they’re not likely to be disappointed. The à la carte menu boasts starters such as tuna carpaccio or steak tartare, with main dishes including line-caught swordfish, grilled lobster or slow-roasted lamb shoulder. The wine list spreads from France’s Languedoc coast to the rolling hills of Tuscany, taking in Chile, South Africa, California and Spain along the way.

Whether the Ivy’s new Bristol branch will attract the same calibre of high-flyers and international jet-setters as the capital’s historical original remains to be seen, but of one thing you can be sure. To enjoy breakfast or lunch in style, or celebrate a special occasion with friends and family, there’s nowhere finer.

Take a closer look at The Ivy Clifton’s menu offerings

For more of Chris Callaghan’s writing click here, or find him on Twitter here.