Sunday Lunch at The Galli, Bristol

Before I moved to Bristol, back in May, I spent a lot of time trawling social media to find all the best places to eat at once I’d arrived. The Gallimaufry on Gloucester Road was right at the top of my list of places to try with its gorgeous looking food, high trip advisor scores and live bands on almost every night. It’s a restaurant, a bar, a music venue, arts space and all-round champion for everything local. Tick boxes all round.

 We first visited The Galli on a sunny Sunday mid-afternoon in June and the place was heaving with drinkers and people eating. We walked inside, pleased to have a table reserved, and were instantly greeted with a smile. Drinks sorted, we got down to business – ordering food.

As our plate was cleared away we sat back and enjoyed the wait for what we were sure would be an excellent Sunday roast. I opted for the chicken with rosemary & bacon stuffing and my other half went for the venison with date, mushroom & chestnut stuffing. These came with roast potatoes, gravy and a bowl of seasonal veg.

The chicken was really beautifully cooked, a breast and leg each with the crispiest skin. I’d love to try their roast pork, I bet the crackling is spot on! The venison too, was cooked perfectly – these guys really know their meat. The accompanying veg was great – carrots, with leeks and spring beans, cooked how my my mum does them (i.e. the best way) – sautéed in a pan with water, butter, salt and pepper. Not an overboiled cabbage in sight. The roasties were fluffy inside and the gravy was excellent. Shall I continue?

Despite being completely stuffed to the brim, we managed to squeeze a pudding in and shared the orange marmalade posset & shortbread. It was too rich and sweet for me (I do not have a sweet tooth) but as you can imagine, Dave polished it off in no time!

This is an independently run operation which is just thriving with life. The Galli definitely has a cool edge with staff who are friendly though reserved but who cares? I don’t like that in-your-face American style service anyway.

As Bristol & Bath Editor for Great Food Club, I’m really pleased to say that The Galli is now in the ‘club’. Great Food Club already has over 8,000 members and seeks to find the best independent eateries, deli’s, farm shops and everything in-between. Many of their recommended places also offer exclusive offers and discounts. It’s free to join, why not get a card? We’re expanding into Bristol and Bath and have over 300 places already listed all over the UK. Sign up here.