In a city with hundreds of pubs, gastropubs are slightly more tricky to come by. While Bristol has its offerings concentrated closer to the city centre, many foodies will have to travel further afield to experience fine food to accompany their pint. But a roadside pub in Downend is hoping to help change that with its rotating menu that keeps its chefs entertained and the customers satisfied.
The Duck & Willow on Downend Road is owned by a former chef who wanted to bring a gastropub into the area. Its landlord, Tom Brownell, took over the former Beauford Hunt and reopened the pub in December 2016, adapting it to have the kitchen as its most vital asset.
“We’re an ever-expanding minority of food-led gastropubs," Tom told BristolLive. "The food never disappoints, everyone is always really over the moon with it.”
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He met the pub's head chef, Sam Coltman, while working at the Bath Pub Company and Sam joined the Duck & Willow kitchen team two years ago. Tom told me the menu rotates on a weekly basis, offering a more easy going selection in the winter months, and becoming more flamboyant in the summertime.
He said: "We’re trying to keep doing what we’re doing, make food affordable and push boundaries, although it’s quite difficult a the moment. We’re just trying to make what we are doing as affordable as possible."
After what Tom described as a slow summer last year, the Duck & Willow is battling the same challenges as all hospitality venues. Energy prices and supplier costs make it difficult for the pub to hit its targets and deliver an affordable plate of food, Tom explained.
The pub offers what it likes to call a ‘guest list’ offering weekly specials to keep it varied for its customers and the chefs in the kitchen. On top of the much-loved fish of the week, Steak and Malbec Wednesdays and burger special, the kitchen offers freshly made soup specials, handmade sausages as well as guest pies from Pieminster on rotation.
“We’re a bit more out in the sticks and we have quite a lot of repeat trade from regulars who live in the area. The guest list tries to shift around the more common aspects of our menu so every time someone comes in they’ve got something else to choose from on a weekly basis,” Tom explained.
Sunday lunch is also unmissable, Tom added, with a roast of the week alongside its usual chicken, beef and vegetarian options. The kitchen will serve either lamb or pork as a special week-to-week in limited quantities, which always sells really well.
Alongside a stellar food menu, the pub has a healthy list of beers, wines and spirits to support it. The pub has a collaboration with Bristol Beer Factory, rotating its ales around BBF’s offering along with guest IPA spots, priced at £4.90 a pint.
It's also tied to Enterprise Brewery to offer the likes of Thatchers, Amstel, Moretti and Beavertown Neck Oil amongst others ranging from around £4.80 for a Thatchers Gold up to £5.80 for a Moretti. The pub also offers signature serves with beautifully garnished gins and a cocktail list.
“That’s the difficulty with Downend is we’ve got a lot of chain pubs in the area. We’ve got our food offering but drink wise it’s always quite difficult. We’ve got the Horseshoe down the road, which is a Green King pub, and it’s a lot more difficult to have affordable pricing."
While it’s a food-led pub, guests are welcome to come in for drinks and make the most of the happy hour card, giving people 20 per cent off drinks from Monday to Friday, 3-6pm. Tom advised people to pick up a loyalty card at the pub during opening hours.
Duck & Willow also benefits from a large beer garden well equipped with events throughout the summer and television screens under cover which shows the bigger sporting matches - currently the Six Nations - throughout the year. It’s a popular private hire space for weddings and birthdays fitted with its own outdoor bar.
The kitchen will be reopening seven days a week from Monday, March 20. The pub is offering one customer a free bottle of wine and a three-course meal for two through a competition on its Facebook page. The winner will be selected on Mother's Day.
The Duck & Willow, 64 Downend Rd, Bristol BS16 5UE. Open seven days a week. Book by calling 0117 956 6843 or through the website.
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