A warm welcome back to the Bristol Food Newsletter. This week, we're buzzing about a major London name heading west, a one-of-a-kind BBQ feast, and we're shining a light on a new gem on Whiteladies Road. There's plenty to get your teeth into, so let's get started.

New & Upcoming Openings

• Flat Iron Is Coming to Bristol: It's official. The much-loved London steak restaurant, Flat Iron, is set to open its doors in Bristol. Known for its "single-minded commitment to serving remarkable steak for all," Flat Iron has become a huge hit for its quality, affordable flat iron steaks. They'll be taking over the former Four Wise Monkeys site on Clare Street in the Old City. While an official opening date is yet to be announced, the planning application for the signage has been approved, so we're hoping to see them fire up the grills soon. Expect their signature steak, a rotating board of specials including Wagyu, and sides like beef dripping chips and truffled macaroni and cheese.

• Miro Lounge Opens in Paintworks: The Loungers group has added another Bristol site to its ever-growing family with the recent opening of Miro Lounge in Brislington's Paintworks. Taking over the space that was home to the much-loved Bocabar for 21 years, Miro Lounge brings the group's signature eclectic decor and all-day menu, from brunch to burgers and tapas.

• Brace and Browns Becomes Terrace at 43: A Whiteladies Road institution has had a rebrand. The team behind Brace and Browns have renamed the restaurant Terrace at 43. They are now open seven days a week for breakfast and brunch and are hoping to have a year-round terrace open by the autumn.

Upcoming Food Events

• Big Nath's BBQ at Belmont Estate (28th June): Get ready for a celebration of fire-cooked food in a stunning setting. Big Nath's BBQ is teaming up with Belmont Estate in Wraxall for a long, lazy summer lunch on Saturday, 28th June. Expect a feast of smoke and flame-grilled dishes featuring Belmont-reared meats and seasonal, local produce. It's a proper farm-to-fire experience. Tickets are priced at £60 per person and include a multi-course feast. Be quick, as tickets are limited. Booking link can be found here.

• Bristol Seafood Week (7th - 13th July): Founded by local chef Josh Eggleton, Bristol Seafood Week is returning for its second year. This city-wide celebration of sustainable seafood will feature a week of special dishes, offers, and events across various Bristol venues. The week will culminate in a weekend celebration at Wapping Wharf with cooking demonstrations, talks, and, of course, plenty of incredible seafood to enjoy.

• Feast On (24th - 27th July): Bristol's independent food festival, Feast On, is back for its second year on the Downs. Showcasing a huge lineup of the city's best independent restaurants and traders, you can expect everything from signature dishes to daring new flavours. The festival will also feature live music, cooking demos, and sustainability talks.

Local Highlight: Tapps

Our local highlight this week is the recently opened Tapps on Whiteladies Road. This new wine bar and restaurant has quickly been making a name for itself with its focus on sustainable wines, delicious small plates, and a great soundtrack provided by a vinyl collection.

Located at 87 Whiteladies Road, Tapps offers a relaxed and stylish atmosphere. The menu is designed for sharing, with a creative selection of small plates crafted from fresh, local ingredients. Early reports praise the food, with the orange wine also getting a special mention. Their wine-on-tap offering is a particular highlight, providing quality and sustainability.

With a welcoming team and a great vibe, Tapps is a fantastic new addition to the Clifton food scene. It's the perfect spot to unwind with a glass of something interesting and a few well-executed plates of food. We highly recommend booking in advance, especially on weekends.

In Other News

• Bristol Good Food 2030: New citywide action plans have been launched to create a fairer, greener, and more resilient food system for Bristol. The plans focus on key areas including food waste, urban growing, and access to good food.

• Dongnae Named in UK's Top 50: Congratulations to the team at Dongnae, who have been named 46th in the National Restaurant Awards' list of the top 100 restaurants in the UK. A fantastic achievement for the Bristol restaurant.

- Bristol Food Newsletter Team