The Bristol Stable — Restaurant in Bristol

A really good rustic bar/restaurant, which if you like cider is a must, they had a massive selection! I was surprised by how busy it was for a Tuesday night.

The food was very good, but let down by the service, which was chaotic, hence the 3 stars. Granted we were a group of 22 and several of us were late due to the knock on effects of a accident on the M5, but we had pre-ordered.

Several of us ordered the Tuesday special, which included pizza, salad and a drink for £10. The pizza was really good! But the salad was a couple of bowls on a bench, which you had to get up for. I had to go to the bar and get my included drink, which was then added to our tables bill? We also had to go to the bar for subsequent drinks, which was awkward and took quite a long time to then get served. We were on benches close to the front windows so getting in and out to go to the bar was not ideal, especially when having a meal!

We had a couple of people who didn't show up so we had to cover them, but I have a feeling we were charged for drinks that were supposed to be included. At the end of the day it was a very good meal and the issues I mentioned I suppose are part and parcel of going out as a large group.

Despite the 3 stars I will go back and give it another go and will update my review...

We arrived without a reservation on a Friday afternoon and found that there were a lot of seats available. We were quickly served and told we could sit anywhere. I found the servers excellent, and they could always assist with anything we asked. I felt so comfortable in here.

We decided on the cheesy garlic bread and a proper Margherita to share between my partner and me, and I am glad I did; it was just the right amount of food for two people, and I have to admit, both were equally delicious and whatever vegan cheese they use, it was stellar. I thought this was a wonderful place.

A good amount of lighting, too, for lip reading or using sign language; frequently, many places like to dim their space and fill it up with candlelights, but I preferred the regular lights they used.

There is an accessible toilet and a regular men's and wwomen'stoilet; from what I have used, they have been immaculate, and everything was in working order.

My last day is today in Bristol, and I am thinking about coming back here to have an excellent pizza again; I usually have a reaction when I eat greasy pizzas, which was why I was nervous, but I have not reacted at all, an excellent place if you are looking for a good pizza and...

The stable used to be one of my favourites; great atmosphere, fantastic pizzas, quality ingredients and great ciders. But alas it seems they lost their way a bit; their pizzas are a bit bland now. The ingredients have been limited, and the bases are more akin to a soft cracker than the bubbly fire-kissed sourdough bases that used to keep me coming back for more. The cider float isn't the same value for money it used to be. Perhaps they are under different management? It feels like some 'genius' decided to maximize efficiency and reduce quality to increase profits and they've screwed the pooch in the process and gutted some of what made it so great. Just feels like another big-chain pizzeria now.

The atmosphere, even for a Tuesday, was so much quieter than I remember it. Used to be that you'd struggle to find a table in the evenings. It was the polar opposite when I went.

The staff and service was great though. Just a shame about the rest. Hopefully whomever gutted its soul goes away and it can get back to being great. Unfortunately I won't be returning any time soon to find out.

(P.S: this isnt mean to be mean-spirited; I genuinely used to rate the stable as being fantastic. I'm sad its a shadow of its...