The Aqua Grand Café | Opening 6 February

The Aqua Grand Café will serve food inspired by the great cafés of Paris and Europe.

If you are looking for an early morning breakfast, leisurely lunch, afternoon tea, intimate dinner or cocktails, the menu offers a selection of classic French bistro recipes.

Reservations are now open; book at aquagrandcafe.com | The Aqua Grand Café, 153 Whiteladies Rd Bristol BS8 2RF

THE FEBRUARY ISSUE: OUT NOW

Our February magazine features a collection of great reading by our team of wonderful writers as well as beautifully presented advertising by Bristol's best businesses. We hope you enjoy the read!

15,000 copies are delivered door to door, and you can pick up a copy at many places around town – including our stands at Waitrose, John Lewis, House of Fraser and Harvey Nichols.

Read the digital version of our current issue here!

And if you would like to have a copy sent in the post every month, then we offer a postal subscription for just £33 for 12 issues, £18 for six issues or buy a copy for just £4.25. UK mainland prices. For Euro and World zone subscription prices – see our website. 

Recipe by Melissa Blease

Red Lentil Korma

Easy on the wallet, quick to cook and packed with astounding amounts of essential vitamins, minerals, protein and fibre, red lentils are the store cupboard gift that keeps on giving as those massively versatile little red jewels can easily be incorporated into all manner of dishes from soups, casseroles, curries and burgers to salads, sauces and pâtés. Ready to get your fingers on the perfect pulse? In the dish we're turning the spotlight on today, red lentils provide a silky base for the perfect warm-you-up comfort food supper at the end of a chilly day.

This recipe serves four but even if you're solo dining it's worth cooking up a whole batch, as leftovers are delicious heated up the next day and also freeze well for another time. If you prefer your curry with a bit more of a kick, feel free to play around with pastes or add a sprinkling of dried chilli flakes. For a vegan version, simply replace the yoghurt at the finishing line with a vegan alternative, or omit altogether.

Ingredients (vegetarian; serves 4)

30g flaked almonds
2 red onions, peeled and chopped
1” fresh ginger, peeled and crushed
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 level tbsp garam masala
2 tbsp korma paste
200g red lentils, rinsed
600ml vegetable stock
400g coconut milk
Around 3 large handfuls fresh spinach

To serve: natural yoghurt; a handful of freshly-chopped coriander; naan bread

Method

1. Place a large, non-stick lidded frying pan over a medium heat. Add the almonds to the dry pan and gently toast for 1-2 minutes, shaking the pan regularly until golden brown – keep an eye on them; almonds can burn quickly! Tip into a bowl and set to one side.

2. Pour a glug of olive oil into the pan and place back on the heat. Sauté the red onions with a pinch of salt for around 6-8 minutes or until soft and just starting to caramelise before adding the ginger, garlic and garam masala. Continue to sauté for around 1 minute. Add the korma paste and cook for a further 1-2 minutes, stirring continuously until the paste turns fragrant.

3. Add the lentils to the pan and stir well to coat evenly in the spice mix before adding the stock, the coconut milk and the almonds (reserving a smattering of almonds for serving). Stir well, cover the pan and simmer gently for around 20 minutes or until the lentils are soft and creamy. Add the spinach to the pan and cover with the lid again for around 2 minutes, or until the leaves have wilted.

4. Season to taste and give the mixture a final stir before serving in warm bowls topped with a dollop of natural yoghurt, chopped coriander and the reserved toasted almonds, with warm naan bread on the side.

Great Wine Co. best-sellers

These are six of the most popular wines picked up by customers of the Great Wine Co in 2022: two great reds, two great whites a peachy rosé and wow – what about that Prosecco! Popular for all the right reasons.

Argeo Prosecco Brut | Ruggeri
A bestseller and an award-winner: a refreshing, crisp and bone dry Prosecco | £12.91

Love by Leoube Rose | Château Leoube
Fresh and light, made with traditional grape varieties from Provence. Delicious! | £16.62

Old Vine Reserve Chenin Blanc | Ken Forrester Wines
The perfect balance of delicious fruit and delicate oak flavours | £13.87

Don David Malbec | El Esteco
An intense yet refined Malbec with a succulent and plushy texture | £10.79

Journey Collection Crianza | Ramon Bilbao
Well-balanced with sweet, spicy aromas of vanilla and cumin | £10.62

Chardonnay | Bogle Vineyards
Delicious creamy, buttery flavours with a spicy complexity from the oak; superb wine from the USA | £13.95

Click here to see these and many more of the most popular wines of 2022 | greatwine.co.uk

Little Diamonds Do Great Things

From Chopard’s Happy Sport collection, this white dial, red leather timepiece is thoroughly playful with its floating diamonds and hearts, all dancing in the sealed sapphire crystal lens above the face.

Capturing the imagination since 1993, when Chopard became the first maison de luxe to combine steel and diamonds, this model features a white dial with Roman numerals and date window and stainless steel 36 mm case back.

Fitted with a red alligator type leather strap, this timepiece is powered by quartz movement and offers water resistancy of 30m. Total diamond weight: 0.24ct

A real happy Valentine luxury gift, the simple caseback is also perfect for engraving a special message | £6,050

See this and many more from the Chopard range at Mallory. 

VEJA: Campo Chrome-Free Leather Trainers | White Nacre

The Campo trainers in White Nacre from Veja are made from chrome-free leather. The bovine ChromeFree leather is smooth and light; coming from farms located in the south of Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul), it undergoes an innovative tanning process where no chrome, heavy metals, or dangerous acids are involved. 

By simplifying the tanning process, the use of chemicals and energy is limited. Water use is reduced by approximately 40% and salt by 80%. After tanning, the water is recyclable | £140 

Available at graceandmabel.co.uk | Grace & Mabel, 32 The Mall, Clifton Village, Clifton, Bristol

L'Occitane en Provence Rose Pear Eau de Toilette

Comprised of natural ingredients, including Rose Centifolia floral water from Provence and extract of Pear from French organic agriculture, this invigorating yet comforting limited edition scent is the perfect accompaniment for any occasion | £56 (50ml)

Available at uk.loccitane.com | L'Occitane Bristol, 90 Park St, Bristol

Curated by Daniel McCabe

Men’s File (UK) and Clutch (Japan) are both giants in men’s vintage apparel and lifestyle publishing and it might be argued that they boss the scene. For some time now Men’s File has been published together with a special issue of Clutch to offer a deep dive into the vintage scene in Japan, the USA and Europe, showcasing unique collections of denim and work-wear, hot rods and classic cars, custom motorcycles, surfing, architecture, art and design. It’s certainly the place to meet authentic fans, aficionados, stylists, collectors and dealers. When distribution moved back to Japan we missed a few issues, so we’ve just imported the latest issue (27/84) as well as the previous two | magalleria.co.uk

The Whale

Brendan Fraser shines in Darren Aronofsky’s resplendent film about a man trying to reconnect with his teenage daughter before it’s too late.

A bereft Charlie (Fraser) has become a recluse after the death of his partner. His best friend (Hong Chau) is his only contact with the outside world and Charlie is eating himself into an early grave. His health failing, he reaches out to the daughter (Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink) he abandoned when he fell in love with a man and left his wife. The Whale is adapted by Samuel D. Hunter from his own stage play, and Aronofsky directs with consummate economy. Unfolding in a single room, the film has a rich sense of place – the dusty American mid-west, with its church-dictated hetero-norms of family love and a booming medical sector as a primary employer.

Starring Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink and Hong Chau. 

The Whale is showing at Watershed from today (3 February) | watershed.co.uk

Bristol Ensemble: Valentine's Day Concert, 14 February, St George's Bristol

An unforgettable night with Bristol Ensemble featuring sensational love themes from the worlds of classical music, opera and the movies including La La Land, Doctor Zhivago, The Godfather and Romeo and Juliet as well as much-loved classics by Beethoven, Elgar, Mascagni, Einaudi and more.

Tickets from £10, available from the St George’s Bristol box office on 0117 929 4929 or via the St George’s website | stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

As You Like It (9–11 February), Malcolm X Community Centre

Banished by her power-hungry uncle, a disguised Rosalind – and her cousin Celia – find solace in the Forest of Arden, which is occupied by a bohemian community of New Age Travellers led by Rosalind’s father, Duke Senior.

The forest provides a magical playground for self-exploration and transformation, where its inhabitants are liberated from an establishment intent on cracking down on free parties and rave culture.

Set against a backdrop of post-Thatcherism and accompanied by a throbbing acid house soundtrack, Shakespeare’s poetic and punchy ode to love and identity is transformed by Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.

Suitable for ages 13+ | Tickets: £16 Pay It Forward, £12 Full Price, £10 Open Concession, £8.50 Schools Rate

Emilia (17–25 February), St Paul's Church

It’s 1611 and, at the age of 42, Emilia Bassano becomes the first woman to have her poetry published in England. For centuries, history has overlooked this achievement in favour of her male contemporaries. Until 400 years later, that is.

Morgan Lloyd Malcolm’s triple Olivier Award-winning comedy storms into Bristol next February. A concoction of historical inspiration and imagination, this period romp charts our heroine’s journey from young courtier to a radical writer, well-versed in pushing the boundaries of a stiff society.

With direction from the highly acclaimed Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls, The Old Vic; Peter Pan, National Theatre), this galvanising and riotous production vividly transforms Emilia’s life from page to stage, whilst giving voice to generations of silenced and exploited communities.

Suitable for ages 11+ | Tickets: £10 Concession, £12 General, £16 Pay It Forward 

Bluestone National Park Resort | Pembrokeshire, Wales

If you’re looking for a getaway that offers something a little bit different, try Bluestone National Park Resort in Pembrokeshire on the south westerly coast of Wales. 

Nestled in 500-acres of rolling countryside, and within 20 minutes of Pembrokeshire’s National Park coastline, Bluestone is a place off the beaten track where you can turn your family staycation dreams into a reality. The luxury accommodation offers you the space to relax away from the world. Bluestone’s resort has miles of private walking and cycle tracks through ancient woodland, along with adventurous activities for all ages, including a subtropical water park, a lake for water sports, and an award-winning spa for those that prefer a little relaxation!

The luxury accommodation offers you the space to relax away from the world, with brand-new Platinum lodges available to book now at bluestonewales.com

Callum Sheedy to make 150th competitive appearance

Callum Sheedy will make his 150^th competitive appearance for the club when Bristol Bears take on Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup at Ashton Gate on Friday night (7.45pm KO).

The homegrown number ten partners Andy Uren – who made his 150^th appearance last week – at half-back, with James Williams and Harry Ascherl teaming up in midfield.

Ioan Lloyd shifts to the wing, with Henry Purdy and Noah Heward completing the back three.

Up front, Jake Woolmore captains the side for the very first time, with Charlie Rice partnering Ed Holmes in the second row. Joe Owen, Dan Thomas and Aaron Tull make up the back row.

On the bench, there’s a potential senior debut for Paddy Pearce – one of three members of last year’s title-winning U18 squad – along with Tull and England U20 fly half Sam Worsley on the bench.

Bristol Bears team to face Sale Sharks in the Premiership Rugby Cup at Ashton Gate, Friday 3 February, 7.45pm KO | bristolbearsrugby.com

Barcan+Kirby signs new partnership agreement with Gloucestershire Cricket

Local law firm Barcan+Kirby, continue their sponsorship of Gloucestershire Cricket for a further three years, after agreeing a new sponsorship deal with the Club.

Having first partnered with Gloucestershire in 2020, the relationship between the two organisations continues to grow and Barcan+Kirby have now renewed its partnership with the Club.

As part of the partnership, Gloucestershire Cricket will provide Barcan+Kirby with opportunities for corporate hospitality, networking and sponsor events. The firm also benefit from the use of the Club’s facilities for both social events and business meetings, and their branded banners proudly adorn the Mount Stand, the largest stand in the Seat Unique Stadium.

barcankirby.co.uk

The Letting Game: Best Letting Branch of The Year

The Letting Game have won an allAgents Gold award for the fifth year running, confirming them as Bristol’s best-letting agent; they also won the Bronze award for the best agent in the whole of the UK.

Managing Director Samantha Derrett commented: "The Letting Game don’t play like the others; the team takes pride in its highly personalised and customer-focused service."

The Bristol letting specialists provide landlords and tenants with an award-winning service throughout the letting process; from professional and experienced Valuers through to the expert Bristol-based Property Management team. They also do their bit for the environment: they're Carbon Neutral and plant 3 trees for every let.

thelettinggame.co.uk

Clifton Down, Bristol BS8

Offered for sale by Rupert Oliver estate agents.

Glenavon Cottage is a two-story coach house in a sought after location and with great character, offering a rare opportunity for modernisation, with the scope to modernise and customise throughout, as well as to extend the living accommodation into the large integrated garage space, subject to necessary consents. 

The ground floor of the cottage features a spacious open plan kitchen and dining room which enjoys plenty of natural light due to its dual aspect orientation and provides access out to a private enclosed garden to the rear.

Next to the kitchen is a fully equipped bathroom, complete with bath, overhead shower, w.c. and sink. Beyond the bathroom is an integral door providing access through to a large garage. The integrated garage currently serves as parking for up to three vehicles whilst offering huge potential to create additional living accommodation or workspace.

On the first floor is a landing which offers access through to four double bedrooms, two of which are interconnecting and are served by a separate cloakroom. 

The Cottage is situated on a private road access from Downs Road and directly opposite the expansive green space of Clifton's Durdham Downs. It also enjoys sole use of a private enclosed garden with an Easterly orientation to the rear. Offered chain free with vacant possession | Guide Price, £795,000

For more images, floorpan and details click here to see the property on the Rupert Oliver website. 

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