The family team of Aidan, Alex and Rob are behind The Lock Up, which opened in 2016 in the heart of east Bristol. Here, you'll find fine food that isn't pretentious, but instead is relaxed and comforting. The restaurant's modern British dishes are crafted by the highly experienced chefs, who choose to source ingredients responsibly and locally where possible.
Order the smashed cannellini to begin, with slow roasted garlic and lemon, and sourdough to dip. Then, once you've had time to sift through the menu, choose between some incredible mains – but you’ll have a tough job. There's the burrata and heritage tomato with basil oil and toasted focaccia, a seared pigeon breast with scotch quail egg, black cherry and caramelised walnut, and spiced lamb bon bons with harissa mayo and Moroccan slaw. There's quite a few mains for you to take your pick from, including the seared Cornish cod with squid ink and crayfish arancino, cavolo nero and bouillabaisse, the West Country rump steak with dressed leaves and pickled red onion, chunky chips and peppercorn sauce, and gnocchi with wild mushrooms, herb butter salsify, cavolo nero and parmesan.
For dessert, you can enjoy a chai panna cotta with sweet dukha and raspberry sorbet, sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch and vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate delice with chocolate soil, orange sorbet and hazelnut brittle. On a Sunday you will be delighted by the roast menu. First up is the rabbit terrine with pickled apple, cherry gel and sourdough, followed by a rare West Country beef rump with red wine and beef shin ragu, and all the trimmings. Last but not least, a dark chocolate brownie with caramelised white chocolate, salted caramel ice cream and brandy snap.