Has Lockdown Changed The Way We Dine Out?
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I've never been that bothered by a take away (hear me out) .
I think I always associated them with a greasy take away that never leaves me feeling good, or I have had bad experiences with cold Deliveroo meals.
However ,lockdown has changed this experience entirely for me and so many of us. The Friday night Take Away has taken on a whole different meaning. The quality, variety and sheer excitement of opening up a doorstop delivery has been one of the highlights of the lockdown for me.
The rules were simple: limit ourselves to one a week, try something new each week, and to make the weekend feel different and give us a welcome break from cooking and cleaning three times a day.
In Bristol we are spoilt for choice, I’ve listed some of my favourites below but please do know there’s so many more great ones out there still to try.
For Comfort Food
TSUKEMONO
Iris and Adam run Tsukemono, it mean’s ‘pickled things’ Pickles are a staple of Japanese cuisine that round out the flavour profile of any dish, I have been fortunate to collaborate with Tuskemono for a number of Yoga Brunch Club’s over the years. The food is always consistently delicious and beautifully presented. The Take Away’s have been packed full of flavour, arrive hot, the menu has a good variety for carnivores and vegetarians/vegans, and the presentation is 10/10
Favourite dishes: Kimchi fried rice scotch eggs, Japanese fried chicken, BBQ banana blossom fried https://www.tsukemono.co.uk/wearetsukemono
BOKMAN
This wonderful Korean restaurant popped up last year in Stokes Croft, serving rotisserie chicken, pickles and Korean street food. We ordered this at least three times during the lockdown.
Favourite dishes: Tongdak (roast chicken), Vegan street food set
BOMBAY BRUNCH
Owned by husband and wife Mrunal and Seamus, you may know it from their popular chai and chaat street food trading at the Tabaco factory. The food and menus are a celebration of Bombay street food and curries. Generous portions too and they all come with a side salad.
Favourite dishes: Pav bhaji, pani puri and I’ve heard amazing things about the biriyani
ALP MAC
Go for the goats cheese And The Toblerone brownie is epic I’m not sure if they are still doing deliveries but you can find their beautiful red van popping up around Bristol
For Lunch/Lighter bites
FED 303
Charlotte and Russ own this hugely popular café. We run a brilliant Virtual Yoga Brunch Club at the start of the lockdown with over 55 people. Lunch options include the delicious seasonal Fed salads which change daily, sweet potato samosas, and goats cheese arancini. Make sure you leave some space for a cake or take one home with you – the display at the till is really quite impressive.
Image: The Indie Map, @plantbasedbristol
HUMMUSAPIENS
As Jasper describes, Hummusapiens is completely plant-based, there’s no meat, no dairy, no egg. ‘However my passion is making sure that there are still huge and exciting flavours present and that no one should ever feel short-changed by choosing a vegetarian or vegan option on a menu.
This is not just hummus.
I think the deliveries have now stopped but you can find Jasper at all Bristol markets or join us for the next Virtual Yoga Brunch Club on Sunday 9th August. Tickets booking here
Pastries/Sweet Treats
FED 303 (see description above)
Highlights: Banana Bread with chocolate butter, Lime, pistachio and fig cake
FARRO BAKERY
Farro opened up last year on Brunswick Square in their first permanent head-quarters, located in the former entrance lobby of an office building. It’s worth seeking out for great coffee, fresh loaves, pastries and the It’s open Wednesday to Friday – come for the daily sandwiches, stay for the coffee and the canelle are my favourite.
HART’S BAKERY
If you live in Bristol you have to of been here, I don’t think it needs an introduction. Just go.
For A Date Night
ROOT
Root were doing a great take away menu, the restaurant has now reopened too.
For Something Different
Incredible authentic Malysian food owned by a husband and wife. Order the Nasi Lemak.
Let me know if you have anything to add to the list or recommendations that I need to try.
You can join the next Virtual Yoga Brunch Club on Sunday 9th August, ill be running this in London and Bristol with food delivered to you at home. For more details and tickets click here.