St George’s Bristol is a creative space for music and is one of the UK’s leading concert halls. Events ranging from classical, jazz, folk music to learning & participation programs are well-knowned to be hosted here. However, in a series of recent exciting developments, St George’s Bristol has officially launched their £6.3million extension – The Café Bar, on the ground floor.

St George's Bristol - photo credit St George's Bristol.jpg

St George's Bristol Café Bar - photo credit St George's Bristol.JPG

St George's Bristol Café Bar photo credit Photography With.jpg

Let’s face it, most of us wouldn’t expect to find anything too fancy or unique in a cafe/bar extended from a music venue. However, here’s where St George’s Bristol aims to prove you wrong. The menu has been carefully curated by St George’s Chef Oakan Brousse, who has worked in restaurants, private clubs and for event planners in Bristol, Norfolk, London, and France.

French-born Oakan has always loved food, and his training as a pastry chef was further honed following a stint at the acclaimed Berwick Lodge – holder of the 2AA Rosette Award. Previous employment has included The Lamb Inn in Burford, Oxfordshire (3AA Rosette Award), The Swan in Norfolk (2AA Rosette Award), The In & Out Naval and Military Club in Soho and leading luxury event caterers Urban Caprice in London.

Open throughout the day, you can start your morning between 10am-12pm with a scrumptious breakfast, fill your belly between 12pm-3pm for lunch and pop over for a snack by 5pm. There are delicious homemade cakes, biscuits and sweet treats at the counter that you want to make sure you have space for after your main.

Ashley & I had the pleasure to try out their lunchtime menu and we were very well impressed, stuffed and tantalised.

House ricotta and red onion rosti Crispy potato rosti, pickled red onion, poached egg, house ricotta with garlic and thyme, spinach and ricotta croquette (£7.50) — House ricotta and red onion rosti
*Crispy potato rosti, pickled red onion, poached egg, house ricotta with garlic and thyme, spinach and ricotta croquette (*£7.50)

Cauliflower and cheese Roasted cauliflower, three cheese sauce, almond gremolata, pickled cauliflower, sorrel, Parmesan crisp (£7.50) — Cauliflower and cheese
*Roasted cauliflower, three cheese sauce, almond gremolata, pickled cauliflower, sorrel, Parmesan crisp (*£7.50)

Pork and potato Cured pork belly, potato purée, smoked pancetta crumb, roasted tomato, garlic kale, chicken and cider reduction (£11.95) — Pork and potato
*Cured pork belly, potato purée, smoked pancetta crumb, roasted tomato, garlic kale, chicken and cider reduction (*£11.95)

Up until now the Café Bar has served simple but delicious soups, sourdough sandwiches, toasties, and cakes. However, with the recent addition and help of Chef Oakan, this place has bloomed magnificently. You can check out the extensive menu here.

My favourite dish has to be the Pork and Potato, the potato purée is so well prepared that it truly just melts in your mouth. The best part is when paired with the tender, juicy yet crispy pork, A+. Ashley however found the Cauliflower and Cheese absolutely mind-blowing. The art of making something so simple so delicious is truly a talent. Not to mention, as non-vegetarians we were impressed at how Chef Oakan made cauliflower taste like meat and a slightly less sinful Mac & Cheese. Aside from that, we both agreed that the House Ricotta & Red Onion Rosti was well-done in terms of not being too soggy and oily but perfectly crunchy.

On a side note, St George’s Bristol is also a registered charity. Its’ work to attract world-class artists and deliver learning and participation programmes has motivated every morsel in helping to generate funds. Café Bar visitors are not only able to savour beautiful food, they are also supporting St George’s work bringing world-class musicians to Bristol and delivering our learning and participation programme.

The pavilion-style extension also includes two multipurpose spaces on its upper floor for music and spoken word performances and education workshops. St George’s also has a new heritage exhibition space ‘Our Story’, which is free to visitors. All spaces within the new extension, as well as the historic Main Hall, are available for corporate and private venue hire.

I reckon since Valentine’s Day is coming up, this should be the perfect place for brunch. What’s better than a stunning pavilion in the heart of Bristol that radiates a sense of serenity to start your romantic day out. You can even catch a performance while you’re there!

*St George’s Bristol is supported by Arts Council England, Heritage Lottery Fund, Bristol City Council as well as charitable trusts, corporate and individual donors and its members.