TGI Friday's - Cabot Circus, Bristol

Founded in New York City back in the 1960's and with well over 900 outlets worldwide, you may be surprised to learn that I'd actually never set foot in a TGI Friday's*. For, what's coined as 'casual dining' is, in my view, really rather pricey; the multitude of alternative chain restaurants gracing our fair city offering what I’d previously considered better value-for money for fare of a comparable quality. Consequently, the newest branch of TGIFs in Bristol's Cabot Circus (which opened its doors in the Summer of 2013) had, for me at least, remained untouched. That is, until I received an offer I simply couldn't refuse.... 

The Invitation:

Do you lie in bed craving a relationship you can really sink your teeth into? 

Are you looking for romance of the incredibly meaty variety?

TGI Friday’s invites you and a friend to a saucy evening of hot love, BURGER BLIND DATE.

We’ve arranged a line-up of our sexiest new hand-crafted burgers who are all dying to meet you – but choosing your lover for the night won’t be as simple as love at first sight. Forget Cilla Black, you’ll be choosing the burger who gets you hot under the collar by reading about their naughtiest personality traits, seeing who tickles your pickle and taking the plunge. In Burger Blind Date every one of our sizzling suitors is a boom fitty, so what have you got to lose?

If you’re game, come down to TGI Fridays Cabot Circus on Thursday 24th April at 6:00pm, pluck up some Dutch courage with a cocktail or two on us and ‘meat' the love of your life. Just RSVP to this email with the name of your +1 to let us know that you’re coming.

We’ll see you soon for some cheeky back-room action!

Lots of lovin’,

TGI Friday’s 

In the subject line was a disclaimer reading: 'Fun warning: This may be the best email you'll receive all weekend'...and it was...it really was! Accordingly, here is my account of the evening that followed....

The Cocktails: 

First stop...the bar and although sticky menus brim with a vast assortment of concoctions, our server encouraged my dining companion and I to allow him to recommend a cocktail (from a bank of over 500) based on our preferred base spirit. My affinity with gin landed me the Maverick Aviator (£6.99); a delicate fusion of Bombay Sapphire, violet and maraschino liqueurs and the zing of fresh lemon which had been finished with a light (alcoholic) foam; genius! For my friend, the Hinky Dink (£6.99) which muddled Bacardi eight-year-old rum with generous measures of Captain Morgan and Grand Marnier. The splash of lime juice and slurp of almond syrup completing the brew, appropriately balancing the boozy kick with a sweet-noted warmth.

Later, we found ourselves with a classic French Martini and a fruity twist on a frozen margarita which established my new mantra that a cocktail simply isn’t worth the graft unless you have to support its weight with both hands! That said, should cocktails not be your bag (come on, really?!) you should know that there are a multitude of alternative beverage routes to sip; beers, bubbles, wines, mocktails, milkshakes…the list is endless. 

Burger Blind Date: 

With the traits of each contestant in-hand, it was time to select our partner in gastronomical gluttony and, usually priced between £9.99 and £13.49, its fair to say that high expectations were steering us towards the most outlandish ‘traits’ in the mix. I opted for lucky contestant number two (see description below) which manifested itself as Friday’s double glazed Jack Daniel’s burger which was sweet and smoky, slathered with Monterey Jack cheese and topped with Jack Daniel’s candied bacon and Friday’s mayo. With a generous side order of sweet potato fries, this was a serious plate of food; attractively plated yet piled high; each element absolutely spot-on in terms of its execution. My dining companion chose contestant number eight, the mystery meal which constituted a toasted brioche bun which had been layered with a mix-up of beef steak, peppers, jalapeños, fried onion and that legendary Jack Daniel’s drizzle. He accompanied his burger with the chilli cheese fries which, for me at least, depicted a meal in itself! All in all, I’d suggest that the dishes we’d received suitably demonstrated the intended theme; namely the wow-factor of an American grill, (cue gutsy portions and unmistakable carnivorous appeal). This theme has also been channelled into the service which was enthusiastic and, at times, a little over-attentive. If you're a person who prefers limited interaction with those that wait your table during dinner, perhaps this establishment isn't for you. If I'm honest, I was kinda relieved that I didn't have to witness the 'carnival' that erupts in the event of a birthday! 

 

Contestant Number Two!

Contestant Number Eight

 

Don't panic, the filthy innuendo above will be gone by the time you visit...you can still bring your Grandparents!

Something Sweet: 

How we managed to tackle a pudding after the nom-fest that had taken hold thus far was quite an accomplishment and yet, we felt compelled to share the Popcorn Brownie Sundae which was choc-full of, yep you guessed it, warm brownie chunks and crunchy, toffee-glazed popcorn. Swirled with hot fudge sauce, creamy vanilla ice cream and topped with ‘proper’ whipped cream – nothing synthetic here, folks – this really was an indulgent end to an extravagant evening of what can only be described as food porn! 

In Conclusion:

And there you have it, the unashamed yet seedy reasons for my visit; a visit which confirmed a couple of my preconceptions and yet, allowed for an overhaul of my TGIF virginity and in doing so, led me to experience first-rate service, a passion for mixology that, in my view, simply cannot be rivalled by any other chain restaurant and seriously satisfying fare. Yes, it is a little cheesy and it may well set you back rather more pennies than its neighbouring eateries but for the quality that ensued, it really is worth the hit...I'd sum up TGI Friday's as a chain with a brain given that it can suitably cater for anyone. I mean, despite the vast selection of dishes/cocktails on the menu (which doesn't often denote a positive outcome in the quality versus quantity stakes), knowledgeable servers can help you make an informed decision based on your basic wants, preferred ingredients and of course, any dietary requirements. And so, with framed photographs of our #burgerface action shots in hand, my dining companion and I left with full tummies and a lasting impression of an establishment that really aims to please…as blind dates go (and I’ve been on a few), this has to be the only one which really made me swoon!

Ready for the launch...!

Feel the gurn...!

References:

* https://www.tgifridays.co.uk/ 

Za Za Bazaar – Harbourside, Canons Road

It’s fair to say that the opening of the South West’s largest restaurant in our humble city has split the camp somewhat amongst us Bristolians – on one hand there has been a degree of apprehension (with premature comparisons to the likes of Flavourz and Cosmo being arrogated) and on the other, there are those who have eagerly anticipated a decent replacement for the Baja nightclub that formally occupied the space in all its teeny bopper glory! Being of the latter mindset and considering the impressive statistics doing the rounds online and in the press, I was really rather excited to be invited to attend a pre-launch taster session alongside representatives from a number of local businesses and the City's ever-present student population in advance of its official opening to the general public on the 1^st December 2011...

Date and Time: Tuesday 30^th November 2011, 19:00

Name of Establishment: Za Za Bazaar

Location: Harbourside, Canons Road - Bristol

Reason for Visit: Special pre-opening night taster for local businesses of which The Boy and I attended on behalf of the all important business of food blogging!

Stepping around the last of the workmen and into the sublime foyer of Za Za Bazaar, it became instantly clear that although the aesthetics of the space had been glitteringly perfected, the practicalities had not yet followed suit. However, despite learning of last-minute difficulties with the door locking system and hearing, throughout the course of the evening, various alarms cut through the globally-inspired soundtrack overhead, (not to mention witnessing the comings and goings of a number of hi-vis clad bodies from the lofty heights of our intimately placed table-for-two), this only momentarily punctuated the overall buzz of the venue's successful night-market concept (and the sense of culinary adventure that it brought about) with a collective awareness of first-night jitters.

Arriving a little shy of our seven-till-nine time slot, The Boy and I were initially shown through to the downstairs bar, delighting in its spacious, ambient feel. Tastefully decorated with equal measures of opulence and quirk as well as channelling elements of far-off lands, pastel-coloured paper lanterns, hang in clusters and a mosaic of cut-out z-shapes reinforce the venue's branding whilst drawing one's attention upwards! Not for long though as the bronze shine of the bar gleams from its central focal point. Here, the polished performance of the resident mixologists more than made up for any of the technical hiccups that we perceived thus far as, both friendly and knowledgeable, The Boy and I were expertly directed towards beverages suited to our particular preferences; he, a Singha Thai beer (£3.95) at 5% with a decidedly crisp bite and I, a Twisted French Martini (£5.95), a sweet and tart aggregation of Stoli vodka, raspberry, vanilla and fresh pineapple. Whilst we're on the subject of cocktails, there is a phenomenal line-up including those tried-and tested classics as well as a range inspired by four of the seven continents; America, Europe, Antarctica and Asia – of the latter, the Masala Mojito especially appealed with its mix of Mount Gay rum and bitters with fresh mint – lovely, (especially given the Happy Hour deal which runs from 5-7pm, Monday to Friday!) Besides this and perhaps expected of a venue incensed by world-wide stimulus, there is an extensive range of beers, wines and spirits on offer including varieties seldom available elsewhere. Furthermore, whilst sipping at my pungently prepared concoction, I studied the menu of bar food – with small plates and sharers as well as a lunch menu, sandwiches and the fantastic and filling range for those with a more hearty appetite, there is certainly something to suit each and every want which is, in fact, undoubtedly the over-arching ethos of this establishment.

Later, making our way upstairs to the restaurant and lining up to be seated warranted our first glimpse of the seven shiny stations (namely, Indian, European, Tex Mex, Far East, Salads, Desserts and, of course, the Bar) – all of which sported neon signs, promoting that street-food, help-yourself vibe and most importantly, attracting diners to sample its wares. The Boy and I reasoned that it would be wise to visit the furthest culinary cube from where we sat in the first instance and so, began our foodie foray at the Indian cuisine, finding an authentically spiced and delicately fragrant collection of dishes including Butter Chicken, Goan Fish Curry and Lamb Rogan Josh. Plus, with an amazing scope of starters and sides - including Dosa, freshly baked flat-breads and Tandoori Aloo,we were spoiled for choice and could have easily maxed-out our appetites at this station alone. However, a little self-discipline allowed us to move on to the European selection whereby The Boy commented that the Piri Piri chicken was the highlight of the evening for him without question. Here, I opted to bypass the Great British classics as although I appreciated the novelty of fish, chips and mushy peas, I considered it too heavy an option for a endeavour of this kind. Furthermore, the pizza, although flavoursome, proved a little limp in texture – the meat feast in particular lost its topping as soon as it was lifted from the plate! Onto the Tex Mex pod and the burger bar which proved an unquestionable hit with its seeded wholemeal buns, vast range of fresh fillings and succulent home-made beef patties which, incidentally, are cooked specifically to your taste. The burritos and fajitas are also made to order and given that the one-off dining price is so reasonable (see details below), I would visit for this section alone. To compliment this particular fare, we found tacos and nachos (of both regular and tomato/paprika varieties) which can be topped with a range of beans and chillis. The Chilli Con Carne was a winner for me, embodying the perfect balance of rich meat and tomato alongside the warmth of sweet chilli and an exotic aroma constituted by a combination of spices. My full stomach prevented too thorough an inspection of the Far East pod but The Boy commented that the noodles which were prepared at his request, were a tad on the soggy side. I must admit that the salad and sushi were also rather neglected on this occasion but unable to resist, The Boy just had to check out the quality of the hummus which he concluded was a little thin but well seasoned and encompassing that distinctively home-made coarseness. At this point, my dessert stomach came into play and arming myself with a plate, filled it with a variety of macaroons (some more accurately executed than others), the girliest cupcake I could find (from a huge selection presented over three tiers) and a range of bite-sized desserts; Tiramisu, Panna Cotta and Crème Brûlée to name but a few. Pleased with my selection, less the Crème Brûlée which disappointingly lacked its characteristically crunchy topping, I noted that I could have also chosen to partake in the delights of a chocolate fountain, healthily opted for fresh fruit or even helped myself to a 'Mr Whippy' ice cream cornet which, topped with hundreds and thousands, was nothing less than the real deal! An array of Indian desserts completed the bill; the Rasmali (Saffron scented milk balls flavoured with pistachio) particularly appealed but alas, I simply couldn't eat another thing!

Cupcake Heaven!

Macaroon Madness!

In conclusion, Za Za Bazaar is clearly an ambitious venture and yet, in the grand tradition of the all-you-can-eat buffet, it knocks spots off the aforementioned alternatives. International chef Nitin Bhatnagar and his talented workforce clearly strive to ensure that the notorious quality versus quantity debate remains dormant given the calibre of the chefs that have been appointed and the fierce attention to detail that exists at every turn – the success of these efforts derive a distinct lack of the hit and miss culture which can typically be associated with the quality of the ingredients used in an establishment of this kind. Sure, there will always remain dishes that are not quite to one's taste but for that reason only and not because they have been poorly cooked or would be better placed on an Iceland Party Platter! In my opinion though, there are a handful of concerns which I hope will addressed in due course – firstly, I feel that the size of the venue could prove as much of a hindrance as it is its unique-selling-point. It's all very well to allow for a capacity of over 700 diners and yet, with a full-house, the traffic generated at each station would surely prove chaotic and unpleasant - nothing that a little crowd control couldn’t fix however! In addition to this, the simple logistics of travelling from the furthest pod back to your seat with an un-warmed plate of food will inevitably result in a less-than-perfect dining experience (especially in terms of certain dishes, Fajitas for instance, which should be sizzling upon serving). Most colossally though, the lack of information for nut allergy sufferers (of which The Boy qualifies) is most certainly an issue - although the labels (albeit more often than not incorrectly positioned) signify vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, they exclude this rather more life-threatening condition! As a result, The Boy had to ask at each canteen which dishes would be safe for him to indulge in without being caused any significant damage – luckily, the accommodating staff were more-than-happy to oblige but, I feel, adding this information to the description of each dish (and ensuring that they are in the right place) would be preferable for complete peace of mind. I will definitely return to this venue, the service is faultless and the quality, and diversity, of the fare is indubitably top-notch. As my review reflects, there is infinite choice and far too much to appreciate during a single visit – thus, I am already planning my second....and third visit....in order to gain the utmost from the Za Za Bazaar experience!

And now for the male opinion...

The Boy gave Za Za Bazaar a rating of 8/10 and in three words, described it as, 'best buffet experience'.

References:

*http://zazabazaar.com/index.html

Lunch buffet - £6.99 Monday-Friday and £9.99 Saturday and Sunday

Evening buffet - £12.99 Monday to Thursday and £15.99 Friday to Sunday

Frankie and Benny's – Aspects Leisure Complex, Bristol

To be left with a lasting impression of a particular venue is usually a good thing, but a recent visit to American-Italian chain restaurant, Frankie and Benny's with a group of gal pals (and the Best Foodie Friend – BFF), left an impression of a different kind, a kind which, in the form of indigestion, found me mentally re-visiting my evening here for quite some time afterwards...

Date and Time: Thursday 9^th June 2011, 19:30

Name of Establishment: Frankie and Benny's*

Location: Aspects Leisure Complex, Bristol

Reason for Visit: Birthday meal for a lovely friend

Located in East Bristol's Aspects Leisure Park amidst other such popular chain restaurants as, Nandos, Pizza Hut and Chiquito, Frankie and Benny's gleams with it 's familiar neon signage and red, white and green colour scheme. It's fair to say that the theme of this restaurant is unmistakable, the distinctive American-Italian culture consistently carried through all aspects of the space from it's décor to the 'Learn Italian' CD that plays in the toilets. This is arguably a little cheesy and yet, you can't deny that it creates a fun and friendly ambiance. The 50's vibe, thrown in for good-measure, reflected in the 'rock 'n' roll' style soundtrack, even amounts to dimming the lights and playing Cliffy classic, 'Congratulations' when there is a birthday in-the-house! Furthermore, it can be said that the restaurant is smart, immaculately clean and the booths comfortable to sit in and when the staff also adhere to the restaurant's theme with characteristically flawless (American-inspired) service and a 'happy-to-help' attitude, you can't really complain.

However, when it comes to the food, you certainly can...The main menu is extensive, there is almost too much choice and dishes seem rather expensive upon first-look. There is a fixed price menu which offers two courses from a generous selection at £9.95 and this is what I opted for based entirely on my unfortunate lack of funds at this time! It had been a challenging day and so, comfort food drove my choice towards the double-loaded Pepperoni Pizza. Now, I'm not a chef but I would consider it rather difficult to mess up a pizza with only one topping and yet, this was regrettably the case. The base was soggy and towards the centre of the pizza, it harboured puddles of stodgy cheesiness and grease. I'm aware that pepperoni is an oily meat but had it been prepared in a way which allowed for some of the excess oil to be drained away, it could have been crisp and tasty. Other diners were equally unimpressed; BFF ordered the Lemon Chicken Salad (£9.95) which, although flavoursome, was over-dressed and constituted a minuscule portion given that it cost almost ten pounds. The Sausage Dinner, ordered without vegetables, was served without it's Yorkshire Pudding which we had to ask for, and the BBQ Steak Hot-Baked Wrap (£10.25) had a red onion imbalance meaning that it's apparent twang dominated the other elements of the dish. 

Lemon Chicken Salad

Double Pepperoni Pizza

When it came to dessert, two of our party (myself included) chose the White Chocolate Brownie Sundae – this consisted of two cubes of brownie (albeit a rather nice brownie) which had been frozen solid by the ice cream piled on the top. This made it impossible to eat as cutting through it required a feat of strength that none of us had and to consume the chocolaty cuboid whole would have proven rather unladylike!. A thick crown of synthetic 'squirty' cream finished this dish which left little to be desired due to it's claggy consistency. The lack of the advertised wafer was the final insult to injury and consequently, two half-eaten desserts were left for the servers to clear. 

White Chocolate Brownie Sundae

All in all, Frankie and Benny's, not worth the pennies! It's a shame because I've seen evidence of large-scale chain restaurants getting it spot-on; feeding the masses with high-quality food at a reasonable price and not just falling victim to the concept of getting bums on seats. Perhaps this restaurant could take a leaf out of the book of, say, Beefeater Grill where large parties and families are catered for with well-prepared and tasty classics (see review). I suggest that simplicity is the key here; if Frankie and Benny's were to streamline their menu somewhat, and concentrate on perfecting a smaller suite of dishes, it might well result in better quality all-round. After all, I think that this venue has the ingredients for a perfectly passable eatery and I found no fault with the space itself or the service. But at present, there is not much chance of a re-visit – even if you paid me with Mamma's meatballs!

And now for the second opinion....

BFF gave Frankie and Benny's 4/10 and in three words, described her experience as 'mediocre and pricey'.

References:

*http://www.frankieandbennys.com/