A specially curated guide to help you enjoy the next 48 hours in Bristol

WEEKEND WINES  |   AUTUNNO ITALIANO

This week - especially chosen for this first edition of The Bristol Magazine newsletter - The Great Wine Co have kicked off with a deep-dive into the sumptuous Italian wines they import as so many of us in ‘normal times’ holiday in this wonderful country and enjoy its delicious cuisine and wines.

As the evenings draw in, wines like the iconic Bertani Ripasso from Verona become superb drinking, with rich, intense flavours dominating. Heading south to the ultra-slick Brancaia estate, their baby - super-Tuscan ‘Tre’ - has warming velvety texture and kirsch and chocolate notes. Down to Puglia, home to one of their most popular red wines, Papale Oro from Varvaglioni, this hedonistic, full powered red is the ultimate match for a cold night and a hearty dinner.

The Great Wine Co have a super promotion that runs to 19th Oct, and you can save up to 25% – this should give plenty of time and incentive to indulge in Italy’s fabulous wines.

Visit: The Great Wine Co.

NEW OPENINGS  |   MODERN TAKE ON A GRAND CAFÉ

Klosterhaus has just opened within the 18th-century Grade-1 Quakers Friars building in Cabot Circus. The restaurant, bar and outdoor terraces pay homage to the dining scene of grand Mittel-European cafes. The slick interior, featuring an island bar centrepiece, features artwork inspired by the Bristol-Hannover connection, mixing the earthy tones of early industrial imagery with the rich colours of Renaissance and Old Masters portraits. Expect the savoury likes of soused herring, venison ‘Baden Baden’ and mouth-watering schnitzels. Desserts include twice-baked cheesecake, warm apple strudel, Black Forest gâteau and Sacher torte. Chefs have worked closely with local suppliers to source produce such as beef from Meat Box and fish from Wings of St Mawes.

The Friary Building, Quakers Friars, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3DF
klosterhaus.co.uk

NEW OPENINGS  |   A CONTEMPORARY TWIST

The Red Church is opening its doors today! The team behind The Christmas Steps, Spotted Cow and Crack Magazine have transformed the old Lloyds Bank building on Church Road in to a stunning restaurant.

Diners can visit from 10am for brunch, superior quality pizzas
from midday and a modern European menu at dinner. For Sundays expect traditional roasts made from locally sourced produce and served all day. 

Sat prominently amongst the renovation is The Red Church's exceptional-quality sound-system, sourced from Pinewood Studios. Having been tuned for a week-long period, the sound-quality assured from this incredible set of speakers will be measured and stretched by some of Bristol's best selectors who will play every Friday and Saturday. The venue will also encourage the public to use its open record policy, where you can choose vinyl from the venue's extensive and regularly updated collection.

190 Church Road, Bristol, BS5 8AE
theredchurch.net

REOPENINGS  |  IT'S GREAT TO SEE YOU BACK

Harvey Nichols Bristol is delighted to announce that from 5 October, their doors will open to customers once again, in what is a phased reopening of all its stores throughout the year. 

Their stylish Second Floor Bar will showcase a new seasonal menu, and the Second Floor Restaurant will open later in the month. Government guidelines are being fully met to ensure the health and safety of all in the store and Harvey Nichols is excited to, once again, bring their customers the very best in new, niche brands across fashion, beauty, food and wine.

27 Philadelphia Street, Quakers Friars, Broadmead, Bristol BS1 3BZ
harveynichols.com/store/bristol

WEEKEND SPICE  |  SIMPLE SEAFOOD CURRY

If you're in the mood for a no-fail curry in a hurry that works equally well as a glamorous celebratory blow-out, this is the recipe for you. Boasting layer upon layer of flavour and flaunting a 'cheffy' personality that totally belies the speedy prep/cooking time, this rich, luxurious dish allows the fish, basking in a subtly spicy rather than fiery hot broth, to be the star of the dish. Talking of which...

Good quality, super-fresh firm fish is intrinsic to the success of this dish, so splash out on monkfish, cod loin, salmon fillets or even a mixture of all three. Prawns, meanwhile, bring a bonus uplift to the pescetarian party.

On the wine front, a refreshing Pinot Grigio, a softly aromatic Viognier or a gently perfumed Riesling all add perfect harmony to a supremely sensual symphony. Go on, go on – Goan!

Ingredients (serves two)

300g fresh, firm fish fillets, skinned and cut into bite-sized cubes


1 large onion, diced

1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced (add more or less according to heat preference)

1 garlic clove, crushed or sliced

2cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated

1 level tsp each of ground turmeric, ground cumin, ground coriander and garam masala

140ml coconut milk (reduced fat is fine)

200g chopped fresh tomatoes

1 tbsp white wine/malt vinegar
 
1 tbsp sugar

Vegetable oil for frying
Juice of half a lime

Handful of fresh or frozen king prawns (optional)

Rice, to serve

Coriander, to garnish.

Method

 1. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large sauté pan and fry the onion over a medium heat until translucent. Add the chilli, garlic, ginger and spices and cook gently until fragrant (about 1–2 minutes.) Add the coconut milk, chopped tomatoes, vinegar, sugar and around 2–3 tbsp of water.
2. Reduce heat, half cover the pan and simmer for around 5 minutes (note: the recipe can be cooked up to 3 hours in advance up to this point; just turn the heat off and leave the lid on the pan until you're almost ready to eat.)
3. Add the fish chunks to the fragrant broth. Stir gently to keep the fish intact and simmer for 10 minutes until the fish has completely cooked through, but keep an eye on it; you don't want the fish to overcook. If adding frozen raw prawns, add them with the fresh fish; if using frozen/fresh cooked prawns, add them five minutes after the fish.
4. Serve straight away on a bed of rice, spritzed with lime juice and sprinkled with fresh coriander.

IT'S A DOG'S LIFE  |  BLISSFUL SLEEPING

Working from home has moments of calm - after the long walk comes the big sleep, and there’s nothing more hilarious than the sound of your dog snoring during a zoom conference (yes, always blame the dog). Dogs will spend nearly half their lives asleep, so help them achieve maximum snuggle and comfort with a quality dog bed that is designed to last. There’s now a huge choice available both online and on the high street. Top of the range is this airfoam bolster bed from Orvis. It comes in range of sizes, colours and is priced from £299 for the smaller pooch, rising to £439 for the extra large canine, and the extra loud snorer.
orvis.co.uk

OBJECT OF INTEREST  |  ROLEX 2020 SUBMARINER

SHOPPING  |  COSY AND CASUAL

We should all have one: a faithful old sweater probably living in the garage, shed or porch, smelling of bonfires, with holes and pulled threads here and there, and a quick throw-on when you dash to the corner-shop having run out of milk on a chilly early morn. And can you remember when it was last washed? Thought so.

But it takes time to cultivate the perfect GJ, where the quality of the yarn, and the stitching of the neckline will never give in easily and… it also takes planning. Some you can buy today will bring you instant outdoor style, but slowly and surely become trusted companions, serving you well for years to come...

Image: The Mora Knit fishermans jumper by Finisterre. Comes in four colours: black, kingfisher, indigo and grey. £95 each.

Finisterre.com

ON THE BOX   |   ICONIC FREEDOM FIGHTER

Cynthia Erivo received an Oscar nomination for her performance as civil rights icon Harriet Tubman in this historical drama. Tubman was a slave who escaped her captivity and subsequently led hundreds of others to freedom via the network known as the Underground Railroad. Erivo shines in this compelling tale of a woman fighting for justice.

Available on Sky Cinema and Sky Cinema Pass on NOW TV from 3 October

WHAT'S ON   |  POPULAR EVENTS

From 10–23 October, the brilliant work of UWE graduate and photographer Eva Watkins will be on display at Room 212. The exhibition is set to showcase her award-winning photo series of Bristol synchronised swimmers – a group initially formed to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of Henleaze Swimming Lake, consisting of 80 people aged between 11 and 76.

INTERIORS   |  RELAXED LIVING

Loaf’s new A/W 20 collection is chock-full of new goodies, with a new line of sofas to add to their huge range, and their 150+ choice of fabrics and colours. There are three new sofa designs making their debut in stores (the nearest being Cribbs Causeway). The Squisharoo is a more upright design than Loaf’s other deeper sofas, but check out the Squish, and a Bear Hug sofa – both are available in love-seat options. For those who prefer a modular option, then the Wodge range offers lots of plush choices.

Image: Squisharoo sofa in burnished yellow clever velvet from £1,295

213 Church Road, Redfield, Bristol BS5 9HF
Loaf.com

INDIE SHOP SHOUT-OUT  |  PRIOR

For high quality homewares, gifts and accessories that are made responsibly and sustainably, Prior is the new place to go. Prior Shop is an artist co-op retail shop and workshop space in Old Market, Bristol, showcasing a beautiful collection of contemporary, design-led, handcrafted work from 30 independent makers. We love these handmade ‘Geo’ lamps - made from plywood and available in various sizes, cables and painted from a well-chosen palette of colours. It is also home of the Priormade studio where many of the products are conceived and created.

58 West Street, 
St Phillips, 
Bristol 
BS2 0BL
priorshop.uk

PROPERTY OF THE WEEK  |  NEW ON THE MARKET

An exquisite Grade II Listed townhouse rich in period detail and beautifully presented, this property is complete with a self-contained two-bedroom apartment, courtyard garden, roof terrace and gated parking.

This elegant four-bedroom family home consists of:

Separate self-contained two-bedroom apartment | Sympathetically refurbished by the current owners | Numerous retained period features | Enclosed rear courtyard garden and first floor roof terrace | Spacious kitchen and dining room | First floor drawing room and separate sitting room | Four upper floor bedrooms and two bath / shower rooms | Lower ground floor two-bedroom apartment | Gated rear parking for several vehicles.

For further details visit: Rupert Oliver Estate Agents