Hope you all had a great weekend. It was fantastic to see the Harbourside so full of life for the Harbour Festival, especially as the rain just about held off! As always, the food stalls were a major draw, and it was great to see so many brilliant Bristol traders out in force. The quality on offer, from the sizzling jerk chicken to the fresh local cider, was a real testament to the city's vibrant food scene.

Now, let's get into this week's news.

New Openings & Recent Reviews

The Bap: A new independent Korean takeaway and restaurant is now open at 21 Queens Road in Clifton. Expanding from their popular sites in Farnborough, Swindon, and Reading, The Bap aims to bring authentic, wholesome, and freshly prepared Korean recipes to Bristol. The name 'Bap' refers to cooked rice, a symbol of strength and community in Korean culture. Definitely one to check out if you're in the area.

Mokoko: Popular independent bakery Mokoko has announced its first opening in North Bristol. They will be taking up a permanent spot in The Hangar, a restored hangar at the historic Filton Airfield in Brabazon. The new site, which is expected to open around the new year, will serve a range of pastries, sourdough bread, sandwiches and cakes. It's set to be a key part of the new community hub being developed in the area.

Little Hollows Pasta: The Bristol Cheesemonger at Wapping Wharf recently gave a shout-out to the fresh pasta from Little Hollows, which they now stock. It’s a great chance to grab some top-tier fresh pasta and local cheese in one go.

Upcoming Food Events

LHG Brewpub Brewery Tour: (Wednesday, 23rd July & Saturday, 26th July) The team at Left Handed Giant's Brewpub by Castle Park are running their fantastic brewery tours. One of their knowledgeable staff will show you how they do things, share some of the history of the iconic building, and then lead you through a guided tasting of a flight of their beers upstairs. There are also more dates in August if you can't make this week. Booking is essential.

Bristol Cider Week: (Friday, 25th July - Sunday, 3rd August) Get ready for a nine-day, city-wide celebration of Bristol as the UK Capital of Cider. The festival kicks off this Friday with an opening party aboard the SS Great Britain, featuring meet-the-maker sessions and eight cider pours included in the ticket. Highlights for this weekend include the King Street Takeover (26th & 27th July) and the start of a city-wide Cider Trail that runs until the 3rd of August. The full week includes everything from orchard tours to cheese pairings, culminating in a Cider Salon at the Trinity Centre (2nd Aug) and a closing party at Far Orchard (3rd Aug).

Tobacco Factory Market: (Sunday, 28th July) A Sunday institution for a reason. Get yourselves down to Southville for your weekly stock-up of local produce, street food, and crafts. Always a great place to discover new local food producers.

Somerset Food Trail: (Over the next few weeks) If you fancy a trip out of the city, the Somerset Food Trail is on, celebrating the best producers across the county. There are dozens of participants, from goat herders to artisan bakers. A few highlights to look out for are Burrow Hill Cider, where they have been making cider for over 300 years and produce England's only PGI-protected Somerset Cider Brandy; Charles Dowding's Garden Tour, a chance to see the market garden of the famous 'no dig' gardening expert and YouTube star; and the Chapel Cross Tearoom, a charming outdoor café in a converted horsebox where their own herd of goats play in the paddock next door. Check out the full map of producers online.

Local Highlight: Sonny Stores

Nestled on the residential streets of Southville, Sonny Stores is a perfect example of a neighbourhood restaurant that punches well above its weight. It started life during the lockdowns as a deli and provisions store, founded by Pegs Quinn, formerly of the much-loved Pasta Ripiena. It has since blossomed into a full-service restaurant that has become one of the most sought-after bookings in the city, without losing any of its relaxed, local charm.

The menu is a masterclass in Italian-inspired simplicity and quality. Written up on a blackboard, it changes almost daily depending on what's in season and what their suppliers have brought in. You can always expect a couple of exquisite, handmade pasta dishes, some delightful fritti (fried snacks) to start, and beautifully cooked main courses, often featuring high-quality cuts of meat or fresh fish. It’s the kind of place where you can tell the chefs have a real passion for the ingredients they're working with. The atmosphere is casual and buzzing, but the cooking is serious. If you're looking for a special meal that feels both refined and incredibly comforting, get yourself booked in. Just be warned, you'll need to plan ahead!

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