Since its announcement, the addition of the Cow and Sow to Bristol's already impressive dining scene has been highly anticipated and I've certainly been one of those eagerly awaiting its opening.
The contemporary chophouse joined the ever-popular Queen Square, replacing the formerly loved steakhouse 'Graze'.
The owner Mark Warburton already has experience in the food scene, as the managing director of the OHH Pub Company which runs a number of popular pubs near Bristol including The Rising Sun in Backwell and the Bear & Swan in Chew Magna.
READ MORE: New Bristol steakhouse The Cow & Sow: First look inside and what to expect
Warburton shared that his inspiration to open the Cow and Sow stemmed from his long admiration of the Bristol dining scene and his "hopes to fill a gap in the market for a steak restaurant with a twist".
The contemporary chophouse hopes to become a new "home away from home" for Bristolians but here's what I thought of the all-new eatery.
Before entering I was already impressed. The entrance was warm and inviting, adorned with gas heaters that set the aesthetic from the outside.
The inside was just as impressive, boasting a green bar with rose gold accents that screamed luxury without seeming too pretentious. My favourite part of the decor was easily the teal, velvet benches that dressed the cosy restaurant.
The size of the restaurant was perfect, it was spacious enough that you didn't feel as though you were dining with the people at the table next to you but small enough to give an intimate, personal experience.
There were small touches that added to the vibe, such as the lowly lit candles that sat in the window and the plants and greenery that added life to the place. The wooden panelling and rattan lamp shades also caught my attention, adding a rustic feel that also ensured the chophouse wasn't too snobbish.
I browsed the menu and was as impressed by its offerings as I was with the decor.
The drinks menu was evidently carefully crafted - offering a mix of signature cocktails as well as classics. I opted for a pornstar martini - which I enjoyed whilst deciding which food to order.
We decided not to order starters, diving straight into the mains and of course ordered a steak.
The selection was impressive but I went with a sirloin (£19.95), choosing hand-cut chunky chips (£3.95) for my side. We also decided to try out the prime cut beef burger (£14.95) which came in a charcoal brioche bun, with a number of trimmings including crispy onion, smoked cheddar, bacon ketchup and lardo.
On request, the manager gave us his recommendation for the wine choosing the La Maison Boutinot Cuvée Edalise, Côtes de Provence Rosé (£9.90 per 175ml) which was enjoyably sweet whilst impressively strong.
The food went down without any complaints. The meat with juicy and succulent - perfectly flavoured and cooked to perfection. However, the most stand-out for me was the chips which mastered a smooth a fluffy inside with a crispy edge. A potato art form!
All of the staff were attentive and kind, with their friendliness adding to the experience. They were happy to answer any questions and made it clear that an enjoyable experience is mandatory at the Cow and Sow.
The dessert menu is impossible to say no to, with offerings such as salted caramel tart, tonka bean panna cotta and chocolate delice it certainly leaves you spoilt for choice.
It was certainly hard to narrow down the choices but we eventually went with the apple rose tart (£7.50) and the chocolate delice (£8.00) - excited to try out the different flavours that the desserts offered.
The apple rose tart easily came out on top - it looked incredible and tasted just as good. I'm always disappointed when the amount of apple overpowers the pastry but the Cow and Sow got it just right.
The crispy pastry had hints of cinnamon and complimented the apple, whilst the vanilla ice cream accompaniment ensured the flavours weren't overpowering.
The chocolate delice was enjoyable, however is certainly one for an extreme chocolate lover. The textures are smooth and luxurious, however, the flavours are extremely rich meaning this dessert is definitely one for the die-hard chocolate lovers among us.
I ordered a peach bellini to go with my dessert and it was easily one of the most enjoyable parts of my meal. The prosecco was well-matched with the sweet peach syrup making it a great after-dinner drink.
Overall, the food and the Cow and Sow was incredible, I'm looking forward to trying out some of their other dishes; particularly the Sunday roast.
But the best thing about my visit was that the service made me feel as though I was dining amongst friends, I'm certain that this Queen Square Chophouse is going to be added to my list of regularly visited restaurants.
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