Pubs and Bars / Reviews
The Prince Street Social – review
Prince Street Social is one of those places that it is neither a bar nor a restaurant nor a cafe, but a combination of all three.
Occupying the ground floor of new student accommodation, it has been opened in this previously unloved location by the same team still hard at work building King Street Brew House just around the corner.
is needed now More than ever
A waiter patiently explains the difference between a latte and a flat white to a table of work colleagues on a recent morning, who had crossed over to Prince Street Social from The Bristol Hotel just over the road.
This time they stick to americanos – no fancy foam – and tap water served in old milk bottles.
A chef wanders out from the kitchen to take a photo of the pile of pastries on a long central table, before heading back behind the stoves as an order for a full English breakfast arrives, an acoustic cover of Missing by Everything but the Girl on the stereo.
Pancakes accompanied by strips of crispy bacon and drizzled in copious amounts of maple secret is a splendid choice of breakfast here, but a latte made with almond milk is met disapprovingly by another visitor.
Returning for lunch a couple of days later, a lovely lobster roll (£7.75) is served with the addition of tarragon, a herb that also features on top of the macaroni cheese (£5.75) gobbled lovingly down by a 14-month-old in her highchair.
The lobster roll and macaroni cheese are both on the all-day section of a menu, with the lunch and dinner menus offering the same food ranging from fish and chips for £11.50 to a rack of lamb for £19.50.
Former office space has been transformed with some very on-trend design touches. Colourful tiles are dotted about the floor, dividing walls are made from reclaimed doors and there are mismatched chairs and tables on which are small jars of flowers from Edward Allen Flowers.
When it opens later this month, beer will come from King Street Brew House. Until then, on tap is Emperor Pale Ale, Gladiator Bitter and Munich Wheat Beer from James Street Brewery within The Bath Brew House (another member of the City Pub Company), with Symonds the one cider on tap.
There are bottled beer options from local favourites Moor and Wild Beer, a substantial wine list and some imaginative cocktails including the Prince’s espresso martini of Kraken rum, Harveys PX sherry, Kahlua and espresso, and the Prince’s Paloma of El Jimador tequila, grapefruit, chilli, coriander and lava salt.
Something for everyone then in this imaginative new addition to the city centre.
The Prince Street Social, 37-41 Prince Street, Bristol, BS1 4PS
0117 4058 949