The Pony Chew Valley is a destination restaurant in North Somerset complete with an in-house vegetable garden and cookery school. Formerly the Michelin-starred stalwart of the gastropub movement The Pony & Trap the venue has undergone a three-year renovation project to create a truly garden-to-table restaurant. They aim to engage the local community and hope to create a destination for Bristolians to travel and appreciate this rural style of cooking and dining.
The highlight of The Pony Chew Valley is the ‘micro farm’ in their grounds which boasts orchards, a vegetable garden, beehives, and an ornamental garden. The restaurant brings these outside elements in with flowers and herbs from the garden used as table settings to decorate the dining room. Large windows flood the space with light and let guests enjoy superb views of the stunning Somerset countryside. The space also features a large terrace so that guests can enjoy these gorgeous surroundings whilst having their meal.
The Pony Chew Valley’s menu changes with seasonal variations and the availability of produce. The team works closely with local suppliers as well as foraging and using products from their own garden to find the freshest and best ingredients. Expect dishes that champion these ingredients like their wild garlic spelt risotto, Cornish cod with pickled cockles, sea herbs, and caramelized whey sauce as well as lamb with mint sauce and black garlic. The menu also returns to its gastropub origins with dishes like glazed ham, St Ewe eggs, garden piccalilli and hand-cut chips. The desserts feature inventive dishes like their Tiramisu made with Bristol Beer factory Milk Stout.
They serve a Sunday Roast, A la Carte, and Chef’s menu as well as a Fish and Shellfish menu on the second Thursday of every month. The venue is available for private dining, including weddings, making it the perfect place for everything from special occasions to casual weeknight meals and gatherings with family and friends.