A Life Less Organised

20/02/2026

tremendous afternoon of wining and dining at Tapps Wine Bar & Kitchen 🍷🥂

I seem to have kicked off 2026 with a lot of wine bars, which is no bad thing! Tapps on Whiteladies Road seems to have hit the ground running since they opened in spring last year.

As the name suggests, there's a selection of wines on tap (11 in fact, with a nice mix of fizz, white, rose, orange and red), with a range of prices points and styles. All wines are sustainability sourced, and I liked the fact that in addition to choosing different sizes of wines by the glass, you can also opt for a small of large carafe, so of course our trio went for a litre(!) of rosé with our lunch 🙈

I really love the decor, which is simple and modern, with a cosier feel at the front and then tons of light at the back nearer the terrace (I can't wait to sit out there in summer!). They have a DJ booth for regular vinyl sessions, and the general vibe on the Saturday afternoon we were there was convivial but not too boozy or loud.

The plates we ordered I really enjoyed too - I think I'd prefer to revisit with a group rather than just as a couple just so I can order more of those small plates! Standouts for me were the scallops and the rolled pork loin with remoulade and membrillo (more quince on menus please!).

Anywho, if it's not obvious enough already, I really enjoyed my afternoon at Tapps (don't let the litre of wine undermine my verdict) and will definitely be returning before too long to sample more of those wines and plates!

17/02/2026

A chilled evening at Carmen Street Wine [ad-invited]

You may have visited its sister venue on Stokes Croft, the amazing Caper and Cure, but this wine bar around the corner is also worthy of a visit, especially now that they've tagged on a bottle shop and upped their range of food and drink even more!

We stopped in one rainy and dark evening, with the bar providing a very welcoming respite from the weather. You can sit up at the bar or in the larger bottle shop area, with a choice of wines by the glass or bottle. Their small plates menu is Mediterranean-influenced, with options ranging from little nibbles such as olives or almonds, to more hearty places like sobrasada croquettes (yes please), baked casement with bread (double yes) and moules frites (make that x3), plus a range of cheese and charcuterie options.

We tried a few different wines and the team were really helpful at suggesting what to have. They also have Guinness on tap and a range of beers, ciders and soft drinks f you don't fancy wine!

It's a higher average price point than other bars and wine bars I've been to in the city, with only one white or red wine coming at under £10 per glass, so for me this is more of a stop-off than a whole evening place, unless it was for a date or special occasion. Maybe pre-drinks or nibbles before a gig or dinner nearby.

It's a chilled spot off the main bustle of Stokes Croft another signifies of how much the area is tussling between anarchic artistry and contemporary chic. Carmen St seem to negotiating their space well, and were packed the whole time we were there, I also know their Sunday sessions are popular, and why not when you can get £4.50 Guinness and £5 Negronis!

07/02/2026

Find something tasty to do this month!

After a couple of months off, the monthly guides are back! So now you can go back to planning where you’ll quaff and scoff over the coming weeks, with lots of new places to check out too! If …

04/02/2026

Nadine's Caribbean Cafe 🇯🇲

I never seem to time it right whenever I head over to Old Market, the two places I've wanted to eat at for ages - Zara Ethiopian restaurant and Nadines Caribean Cafe - are either closed, or I haven't left enough time for a sit down meal.

On this occasion, I had tickets to the new Side Dish comedy festival with some friends, so we popped into Zara for a cuppa before heading to Nadine's for dinner and some comedy.

We had jerk chicken, rice and peas and steamed vegetables, and not only was the portion massive, but the jerk chicken was among the best I've had in Bristol. Not that I'm an expert, but I can only speak as I find and I've had jerk chicken at many of the Caribbean joints in Central Bristol, and this version is right up there. My friends had the chickpea curry which I also tried, and while not as exciting as the jerk chicken, it was tasty.

The rest of the menu has the usual Caribbean classics - oxtail, brown stew chicken or fish, ackee and saltfish, curry goat and a range of homemade fruit punches. I really wanted to try their Guinness punch but we'd picked up some Wiper and True cans from their taproom around the corner already (I'm not sure if it was BYO just for this event or any time, I couldn't find any info online either).

I'd happily go back to try some more dishes, especially the curry goat!

31/01/2026

Two trips to Soft Buoys 🧀

With the weather being so miserable recently, these cheese toasties have been the ultimate comforting lunch!

Just before Christmas, I tried the 'Buoy-dain', with a five-cheese mix, moartadella, provole, mustard, and gherkin, and more recently, I had the French Onion Soup, with slow cooked onions in with tons of cheese. Probably my favourite thing about these sandwiches is the amount of crispy cheese around the edges 😍

31/01/2026

The monthly guides are back!
This month I've rounded up Valentine's events, new openings (there are LOTS), festivals and recent accolades for local restaurants.

After a couple of months off, the monthly guides are back! So now you can go back to planning where you’ll quaff and scoff over the coming weeks, with lots of new places to check out too! If …

13/01/2026

Bit of a treat at the weekend - afternoon tea at The Roseate Villa Bath ☕️

07/01/2026

Seeing out 2025 with one of my best meals of the year at Pasta Ripiena Bristol 🤩

After realising one of my friends had never been to one of the top restaurants in the city, I had to be the one to introduce him, and as usual, everything was flawless. What I love about the Bianchis' restaurants is that from the minute you step in, you feel looked after, and can just kick back, eat and be merry (and we did a lot of eating and being merry let me tell you, especially thanks to both a livener and nightcap at Cotto to bookend our evening!)

On this occasion, I had a special to start - mussels in nduja cream, followed by a venison pasta with a gorgonzola sauce and pickled redcurrants, which was unlimited any other pasta dish I've had but was so festive, surprising and delicious. My friend had the crab mezzalune with prawns and samphire which was a bit more delicate in flavour but every bit as banging. I also love that we got given extra focaccia for mopping up our pasta sauces!

Anyway, as much as it can be easy to get distracted by new places, remember to revisit firm favourites this year, they need your custom now more than ever. And you deserve a treat. Go on!

10/12/2025

An absolute knockout of a meal at Black Cumin on Cotham Hill last night [ad-invited]

Standouts were the lamb chops (the best I can remember having), the veggie sharing platter, the chilli fish and the seabass curry. Well worth a visit if you're looking for an elevated Indian meal!

20/11/2025

Prix Fixe perfection at BANK Bristol 🍴 [ad-invited]

There's been a change up of the menu at this Totterdown restaurant recently, with a move from small plates to more of a starters, mains and desserts structure, and the introduction of a fixed price menu.

I was so pleased to hear about both of these changes, as i do think people are a bit weary of small plates now, and with so many people tightening up their spending, it's sensible for any restaurant to consider a fixed price or early bird option, as it's a good way to get people to take a punt and see what you're about without committing to spending £50 a head or whatnot.

I had actually planned to order off the a la carte (which Tom did), but the Prix Fixe (available daily until they run out, first come first served) was calling to me. Smoked haddock rarebit, venison bourguignon and a sticky toffee pudding all for £29? Yes please.

They all tasted as good as they sounded and looked on the plate, albeit I really needed my wine to cut through the richness of the dishes - there was a lot of butter involved!

Tom went off piste with eggs en cocotte in a mushroom sauce, followed by a big slab of lion's mane mushroom with a green peppercorn curry sauce, both of which he put away happily.

If you're looking for a cosy yet refined winter meal which also doesnt feel too fancy shmancy, I'd definitely recommend BANK and its French little sister Lapin in Wapping Wharf, which also does a £29 Prixe Fixe menu daily. The bonus with BANK is that they also sell the wines on their menu if you want to continue the festivities at home!

07/11/2025

Make some tasty plans for the month ahead...

Welcome to cosy season, time for festive markets, dark beers, mulled beverages and STODGE. Read on for lots of tasty ways to enjoy the month ahead, and let me know what you’re planning on doi…

03/11/2025

Proper good pizza at Back Garden Pizzeria 🍕

Did you know that Bristol's answer to Little Italy is slowly taking shape on St Stephens Street in the city centre? There was already the brilliant Pasta Ripiena and its wine bar cousin Cotto next door, and now to complete the triumvirate of Italian tastiness is Back Garden Pizzeria, who were formerly based in Art Club (RIP) and begore that out of chef/owner Danny's garden, hence the name!

Authentic, sourdough Neapolitan pizza 'with a Sardinian twist' is the name of the game here, with high quality Italian ingredients and an appealing wine list (although I was on the softies on this evening). I went for the Pepperoni and Tom had the Calabrese (nduja, spicy salami and chilli oil) - the tomato base was noticeably delicious, the crust nicely puffed with some crispy bits from the polenta, and we both enjoyed the toppings too. There are quite a few other combos I'd like to try in the future!

I felt gutted for the team that they opened at the same time as Rudy's across the road, the latest of a chain of Neapolitan-style pizzerias started in Manchester (which I have to admit I'm fond of), but while Rudy's is expansive, industrial and efficient at feeding you at speed (especially if you're in a larger group), Back Garden is a cosy, warm and vibey joint, a great choice for a date or chilled catch up with a mate.

Now we just need a gelato bar or Italian bakery/cafe on the street and we're sorted!