Best steaks at The Ox!

"If you are gonna spend 27 quid for a steak, you;d better be sure it is the best steak in the world"

When I read that on Twitter the other day, I instantly knew they were talking about The Ox, a very good steak restaurant in Bristol. Unless you know where the restaurant is, it is very likely that you'd miss it. It is hidden in the basement below The Commercial Rooms on Corn Street.

We chose The Ox for a celebration dinner. Just to make sure we'd get a table, we decided to book it in advance. All dressed up, we entered to a cosy bar area where you can grab a drink if your table is not ready or you are waiting for some friends to arrive. There was a formal but relaxed atmosphere in spite of the big group of friends that were having dinner at that moment. Our table was waiting for us in the other (and smaller) room, which I honestly preferred to the other busier room.

The decoration is quirky and it seems that a lot of thought had been put into it as a reminder of past times. I found the grape-shaped lamps very interesting and original. 

We were handed to menu but both of us had already decided that we would have a steak (although there are steak alternatives if you doesn't eat steak).

We ordered one small plate each, Steak Tartare (£7.50) and Pig's Head (£6.50), and some Leeks & Greens (£3.50) to share. We also had a 10.5oz Rib-Eye (£27) and 10.5oz Bavette d'Aloyau (£27). A glass of Rioja red wine and a Belgian beer... and some peanut butter, banana and salted caramel chocolate ice as a dessert.

The food was just fabulous. Starters were very nice, specially the Steak Tartare, and the meat was perfectly cooked, charred on the outside but succulent inside. And the dessert, even though it could seem to be an odd combination of flavours, was very tasty. The service was brilliant, attentive but not fussy at the same time.

I know it is not an cheapest place. However, for a special occasion, it will be worth every penny you'll pay. Nonetheless, there are also some set menus for lunch (£14-17) and early-bird evening meals (£12.50) in a more than affordable prices. I highly recommend the place!

WEBSITE: http://theoxbristol.com/

Make Sunday Special is bigger than ever!

Make Sunday Special is back... and even bigger and better than ever, apparently! The event gets bigger and bigger every year and for this year, the city council wants reach some of Bristol's neighbourhoods as well as having the fun in the city centre too. 

For those who are not familiarised with Make Sunday Special, it is a unique chance to walk, enjoy, play and have fun in the city's busiest streets. It happens only during summertime, the first Sunday of each month, when several streets were closed to the traffic, and food, vintage clothing, jewellery and souvenir stalls... take over the streets. There is also family games, relaxing areas and very good atmosphere! 

The city centre will celebrate Make Sunday Special every first Sunday of the month from May until September and the neighbourhoods will have one day celebration (Bedminster, 14th June; Hartcliffe 6th September; Avonmouth 13th September; Easton and Lawrence Hill (tbc). 

There is a list of market stalls and street traders already confirmed on the official website (here) but application forms for trader applicants are still online. If you are interested in trading at one of the events, I am sure they's love to hear from you!

PREVIOUS EDITIONS

2014: Let's keep Sunday's special

2013: Making Sunday's Special: Highlights

Let's keep Sundays special!

After diverting the traffic from Park Street for the giant water slide a month ago, Make Sunday Special scheme comes back for the second time this year (read about Make Sundays Special 2013 here). Its a unique chance to walk, enjoy, play and have fun in Corn Street and Park Street.

It happens just during summertime, the first Sunday of each month. Both streets are closed to the traffic and food, vintage clothing, jewellery and souvenir stalls take over the streets. There are also family games, relaxing areas and good atmosphere! 

I hope you like the pictures below!

Next dates for Make Sunday Special: 

• Sunday 1 June
• Sunday 6 July
• Sunday 3 August
• Sunday 7 September

LINKS...
Make Sundays Special (City Council Website) 

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
... Sliding down Park Street
... Make Sundays Special: Highlights (2013)

Travelling? Check this out!

Although I have mostly been supporting and encouraging local stores until now, I found it impossible not to mention one of the best bookshops entirely dedicated to travelling.

Located in the historical Corn Street, there is a store you must visit if you are travelling in the near future. The store is called Stanfords and for those who don't know, the Bristol branch was the first store to be opened outside London back in 1997. 

It's a two-floor shop where you can find anything you can imagine related to travelling: travel guides, maps from all over the world, travel-themed board games, Bristol merchandise, cycle-routes, kayaking routes, inflatable or decorative globes, books, stationary, sweets, travel diaries... even decorated canes!

Upstairs, there is a section where you can find sweets and candy with globe shape, stationary to keep track of your trips, beautiful journals and diaries... and also Bristol merchandise: magnets, mugs, coasters, calendars and many more stuff. There is a promotion now on selected travel guides: if you buy one, you get the second one half price. 

Next to the stairs, you will find books for children, board games related to travel and whole collection of "Mr." books to choose from. Even inflatable globes!

There are books about birds, best areas for kayaking, best bike routes, thousands of maps...

Downstairs, I found a great selection of high-definition maps from every single country I can imagine. I found a laminated flexi-map from Sri Lanka, where I will be travelling in a couple of months. Very good map which allows to mark the route with a non-permanent marker pen and then easily erase it. I think it is a very good idea so I bought it (5.99 pounds).

 

I also found my country downstairs: The Basque Country. The guide-book, which by the way doesn't have many pictures, was located next to the Spanish guides. It is written by Paddy Woodworth and gives a good idea of the most important areas and events in the Basque Country. I couldn't resist to take a picture! :)

Website: http://www.stanfords.co.uk/