Where We Eat: Wilson's in Bristol

Not long after we opened Wilson’s, we discovered we weren’t alone…there’s another Wilson’s out there!

Down in the Redlands area of Bristol, you’ll find a small, welcoming neighbourhood restaurant serving super-seasonal produce, much of it grown in their own market garden, all beautifully showcased through smart, precise cooking

Earlier this year they were awarded a Michelin star, and they even have their own bread shop just a few doors down. Definitely something to aspire to…the bread shop more so than the star!

A couple of weeks ago, we were in Bristol for a few nights to celebrate a long-running project Joel’s mum has been involved with — The Red Dress — and we took the opportunity to book a table at Wilson’s!

Michelin-starred set menus can sometimes feel a bit daunting…not so much because of the food, but because the service can interrupt the flow of conversation and make things feel a little too formal, especially when you’re busy catching up with family

Happily, our meal at Wilson’s was a delight from start to finish!

We kicked things off with a Boulevardier (like a Negroni, but with bourbon instead of gin…where has this been all my life, asks Joel) before moving into seven courses of perfectly judged cooking: clever but not too clever, refined but not overworked, and engaging without being overwhelming

It’s a brilliant example of how one-star cooking can feel right at home on a small neighbourhood high street…elevated but still casual and relaxed!

Their iconic pre-dessert, a herb sorbet (tarragon on this occasion) topped with meringue and seared with a piece of hot charcoal from the grill, was smoky, sweet, and sharp…one of the most innovative bits of presentation we’ve seen in a while!

So, we’ll end on a familiar note by suggesting that you book a table at Wilson’s!