THE JETTY, HARBOUR HOTEL, BRISTOL SUNDAY LUNCH REVIEW
Please note this restaurant was actually reviewed just before the November lockdown.
Always a pleasure and a treat, Sunday lunch at The Jetty is a special occasion all of its own; the chance to relax in their commodious blue velvet armchairs with an aperitif of you choice before you begin, or take a seat at the elegant bar, all the while knowing that you will be looked after royally by the charming staff. No washing up for you and the promise of forty winks later in the afternoon, Sunday could not get any better.
With all this in mind we took our seats in the said blue velvet armchairs and glanced at the menu; roasts were our top choice and happily there was both beef sirloin and shoulder of pork on offer. For starters we chose soup of the day, which was broccoli and stilton, griddled fillet of mackerel with beets, samphire, orange and crumbled goat’s cheese, and prawn cocktails with chopped lettuce avocado, cucumber, and spiced dressing. Two of our party chose the beef sirloin with Yorkshire pudding, horseradish sauce and of course, all the trimmings, one opted for pork shoulder with crackling (it was the crackling that decided it!) and apple sauce and the fourth the seafood linguine with mussels, garlic tomato and chilli.
Our starters arrived and we tucked in; the 70s staple of prawn cocktail has been given an edgy update by The Jetty and fat prawns jostled with crisp lettuce and chunky avocado in a most agreeable fashion; I really enjoyed the creamy broccoli and stilton soup, and the richness of the griddled mackerel was neatly complemented by the fresh taste of the samphire and orange. Now we were ready for the main event!
The roasts were bourne to the table and if there wasn’t a fanfare there should have been one. The beef sirloin was spectacular, large tender slices arranged on the plates surrounded by perfect roast potatoes, towering Yorkshire puddings, and its accompanying green vegetables. The pork shoulder was tender plentiful and juicy; the crackling definitely didn’t disappoint but thankfully no dental work was harmed in its despatch. Fair bursting with mussels and other delights of the sea, the linguine’s garlic, tomato, and chilli sauce was deliciously spicy without being overpowering.
We all enjoyed our main courses very much but couldn’t resist a sneaky peak at the dessert menu whilst settling back in our chairs as the table was cleared. Us girls decided on dark chocolate fondant – a glorious gooey soft centred chocolate pudding served with mint chocolate chip ice cream, and the men shared a selection of cheeses with chutney and biscuit. We had a lovely relaxing lunch going on into the afternoon, and I won’t deny that we did have that forty winks when we got home!
Jacquie Vowles
