Coal Grill & Bar
Snapshot
- Area
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Cabot Circus
Bristol City Centre - Cuisine
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Grill
- Tags
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fajitas
grill
salad
Ratings
- Overall
- 3.1 stars
- Food
- 3 stars
- Service
- 3 stars
- Ambience
- 3.2 stars
Restaurant Reviews
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evening out
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
15 Sep 2011
all fantastic really good food and service. nice cosy atmosphere. food presented well all meals looked to perfection and tasted great. couldnt ask for better. well worth the money. not cheap but not too expensive either.
Visited: September 9, 2011
What I ate: nachos. steak, coal messThis review has no responses yet
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Wonj't bother again
Rating - Overall: 2 Food: 2 Service: 2 Ambience: 2
30 Aug 2011
Staff were fairly miserable until we were presented with the bill when they miraculously become cheerful and chatty. Service a little slow but prices were OK. Whilst we were there several customers came in from outside complaining that they'd been waiting too long for service. If you're gonna stick a slice of lime in my wife's Corona at least ask first eh? And I'll have my Pepsi (even though I asked for Coke and you couldn't be bothered to mention it was actually Pepsi) without 8 ice cubes thanks. Food was very bland, I had a burger and the missus had ribs both were really bland and unimpressive. Burgers were meaty but no other taste very bland. Hey and guess what, here's a novel concept you serve it on a plate instead of a chopping board. Ribs were served with potatoes but were so overdone they were practically a mash. Nothing special at all. Conveniently they automatically add a 10% tip (call it a service charge if you thinks its more moral) onto the bill and make no mention of it at all, I had to ask the waitress to remove it. ;) Was our first visit but will not return as there is so much other choice so really no need to, even with one of their £5 off your next order vouchers we were given.
Visited: August 29, 2011
What I ate: burger and ribsThis review has no responses yet
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very disaoppointing
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 1
17 Aug 2011
Waited ages to be served and then waited over an hour for our meals - still didn't arrive. Restaurant wasn't busy but staff just ignored us. I spoke to the manager but he showed complete lack of concern. Not sure why he works in service industry as there was no customer care. Can't comment on the food - we upped and left
Visited: July 26, 2011
What I ate: nothing!This review has no responses yet
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God Awful
Rating - Overall: 2 Food: 1 Service: 4 Ambience: 2
17 Jun 2011
As a chef I know my standards may be a little higher. So I'll start with the positive, it was clean, service was efficient, and waitresses and waiters where nice. And accomodating to change parts on the menu
Food, was just misserable, my burger had what was like stale onion rings on top,not nice and crisp as you'd expect. Then drowned with chillis. I know I ordered a chilli burger, but I it had other things in i wanted to taste, I took them all out and the taste was still potent but bearable. Chips tasteless frozen, not 'real' and not seasoned. No proper seasoning through-out my meal. which really did ruin it. Waste of food should be taken seriously.
bacon still had soggy fat on it (not a pleasure to eat)
We where a mix fo four people from 19 to 35, Calzone, was okay said 19 year old.. could have done with more sauce as it was a bit dry inside.
BBQ ribs where oven done, then literally drowned in bbq pakcet sauce.. ( yes i know we can't all make home made), but you expect sticky bbq ribs, not baked in a thick soup (not exagerating).. This dish was for my old chefs assistant, who is just 20.. who didn't even finish it it was so bad.
Then the Crayfish salad, have to say really decent portion size and a generous amount of crayfish..... but the crayfish had not been rinsed properly and tasted not only still salty from the brine but also dirty. Real shame, couldnt stomach dessert.
And a pitcher of the most terrible excuse for a mojito.. watery, mean on mint lime and everything.
Visited: June 14, 2011
What I ate: ribs, burger, calzone, crayfish saladThis review has no responses yet
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Breakfast at Exeter
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 2 Service: 1 Ambience: —
31 May 2011
Orded breakfast shortly after 0900 hrs which was brought to our table shortly after 1000 hrs. Try breakfast at Tiffanies, you'll probably get served that much quicker. Only having to pay for two out of the three breakfasts was little compensation. It wasn't as if the restaurant was busy at that time of the day. Won't be returning for a second time.
Visited: May 28, 2011
What I ate: Big breakfast is a misnomerThis review has no responses yet
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Awful!!
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 4 Ambience: 1
8 May 2011
I also used to work for Coal and I agree, it's a complete p**take. They 'forgot' to pay me for the first 2 months I worked there, we rarely saw the service charge and they have a habit of firing people without telling them, just phasing them out. It's pathetic. They also changed when I was on the rota for without any warning so I'd walk the 45 mins in from uni and be rudely told just to go home again, and that happened to lots of staff. That and, the managers talk about customers behind their backs. And not in a nice way either. Plus most of the food is cooked in the microwave. Seriously, don't go here.
Visited: January 1, 2011
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coal
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 4 Ambience: —
6 Apr 2011
exellent visit with my wife she said the fish dish she had was exellent and better than rick steins in cornwall.!! I had a burger and it was exellent also. sevice good and friendly
Visited: March 5, 2011
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Good
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
20 Mar 2011
I went here about 3 weeks ago and really liked it. Ok if you are looking for foie gras its not for you but for a relaxed place to go and have lunch or something I think its spot on. Checked out the website and its juts a small company which makes me like it more as the pizza express of the world are more about money than good food and Coal gives good food for sure. Had the fajitas and loved them and my other half had a steak which was cooked just the way it should have been...really good. Read some of the other reviews and they are idiots!
Visited: February 27, 2011
What I ate: Fajitas and steakThis review has no responses yet
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Great menu
Rating - Overall: 4 Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambience: 4
16 Feb 2011
Had a great evening with five friends at coal last night.
Good service from the waiter and bar staff even when faced with the fire alarm it was dealt with quickly(fortunately we were not eating at the time !).
Choosing from the menu was difficult only because i could of happily picked several meals!.
Thoroughly enjoyed my prawn starter and calzone allbeit the pastry was a little dry around the edges.
Visited: February 15, 2011
What I ate: Prawn starter and CalzoneThis review has no responses yet
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A cut above the rest in Cabot!
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
2 Sep 2010
I'm becoming somewhat of a regular here! I think it's great. Have been about 5 times and each time I have left feeling really impressed not only with the food but the service, music, drinks, even the toilets are spotless. Ate here on Saturday and the place was buzzing, the music was actually something you might want to listen to as opposed to the awful 'lift' music a lot of restaurants pump out these days. Service is genuine, no robots in sight and they really go out of their way to make you have a good time! We had a bit of a cheeky waitress look after us who brought loads of banter to the table which was fab, even the manager came over and had a giggle with us. Great place really, don't understand other comments left on this site as clearly it is very well run.
Visited: August 28, 2010
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former staff review
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 4 Ambience: 3
28 Jun 2010
i joined coal during the beginning of may,after hearing about one certain mamber of management i was a bit sceptical although i was in need of cash and decided to bite the bullet. long story short, the place is a joke, the managers on the floor were giving me different hours for my shifts and did not communicate with eachother at all. i would constantly find one member of management doing sweet F A, if she wasnt eating in the kitchen,she would be drinking behind the bar. no dought my 16 yr old brother could of ran the place better than her. most of the staff here are foreign and it was hard to communicate with some. the kitchen floor was always a complete mess and i did see from time time chefs dropping food without throwing it away!! (the ten second rule) apparently. discusting. it is all very unprofessional with gossip being thrown around a tight group of staff. after overhearing a conversation about me between the greedy manager and a waiter i decided to leave with no notice. the one good thing i can say about coal is the waitors, they are all hard working and a bubbly bunch, and deserve credit for the management they are under!
Visited: May 1, 2010
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Nice Burgers, Ribs & Chicke
Rating - Overall: 4 Food: 4 Service: 4 Ambience: 5
7 Mar 2010
Waiting for a table is very nice here, you can sit on comfy sofa's and drink cocktails. The staff were all very nice, The first time I went, I had a burger which was awesome. Be aware though. It does look a little empty if you have it plain.
Second visit. I had ribs and chicken. Alot of food which for me was again awesome. However if you want the best ribs in Cabot, go over to Giraffe.
Visited: December 1, 2009
What I ate: Burger & Chips - Also on previous visit, had ribs and chickenThis review has no responses yet
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poor experience
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 1
9 Feb 2010
The food is not what I would class as fine dining. Not good, my partner had a piece of plastic in his coleslaw which he nearly choked on. When he raised this they gave him £3 discount off the bill. They even had the cheek to add on a service charge to the bill.
We have been to other restaurants where the cost of the meal is refunded if we are not satisfied.
We were sat opposite the kitchen which was dirty with food on the floor. Have written twice about our experience with no response. We would not go there again
Visited: September 8, 2009
What I ate: Burger and chips with coleslawThis review has 1 responses
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I love this place!!!
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
23 Jan 2010
After reading a couple of dodgy reviews on here, i wasn't so keen on going to try this place out considering me and my partner hardly ever get the time to have a nice meal without the kids.
but, it was late, and we were tired so decided to give it a go.
and boy am i glad we did!!!!!
I dont know where people have been eating, but some people really got this place wrong. maybe they should step off of their pedistool!!
we were seated very quickly, next to the open kitchen, so we could see the food being preped and cooked, and it was fresh for sure!!.
they seem to have a good team that work together quickly. The waitress was lovely, friendly and very helpfull. Being pregnant, I requested a dish that should have had mozzerella in it but asked if it could be done without. she asked the male chef and he said that would be fine, but warned that it would take away a bulk of the taste as it was a staple part of the dish. this didn't bother me so agreed.
she came back a couple of mins later saying she had just talked to the female chef (being a mum herself) and was told that it was pasturised and not buffalo, so it is safe for me to eat and would taste much better with it.
I was really chuffed cause she was right, it was beautifull!!! lots of it, fresh, and the nicest food i'd tasted in sooo long for the very reasonable price we paid.
My partner was also really pleased and we can't wait to go eat there again!! and we are 2 people that like to pay good money for good food, and this was really good.
We went in expecting some cheap tasting over priced food, but left feeling very full, with good fresh food, and with change to boot ( which we used to tip the very helpfull waitress).
The menu is very exciting with some very yummy tempting options. you would think it was more like a steak house, but its not, it has alot more to offer.
GO GIVE IT A TRY!!!
Visited: January 16, 2010
What I ate: bacon and mozzerella chicken on ratatoulli, oven baked potatoes,This review has 2 responses
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Average
Rating - Overall: 3 Food: 2 Service: 2 Ambience: 2
10 Sep 2009
My partner and I met our lad in Bristol and decided to eat at Coal, I had Beef Fajitas, he had the same but Chicken, she the Nachos. I'm under no illusions, this is fast food for a consumer clientele, and that's exactly what we got. The food arrived promptly, was warm and filling and tasted ok. That's what we expected, that's what we got.
Visited: September 6, 2009
What I ate: See aboveThis review has no responses yet
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TOP MARKS!
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 4
24 Jul 2009
When visiting my mother in Bristol we thought we'd take her for a meal. We were all very impressed (as always with Coal)- including my mother who can be tricky to please!! I had the chicken fajitas, my husband had the battered cod and my mother had a mouth watering prawn salad! All food came out quickly and the service was efficient!! The only small thing that wasnt perfect was the lights were too low! It's probably down to our age but we found it to be a problem! However, on mentioning it to our waitress, they were promptly turned up! Very happy and enjoyable exprience.
Visited: July 22, 2009
What I ate: Chicken FajitasThis review has no responses yet
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great food
Rating - Overall: 4 Food: 5 Service: 3 Ambience: 3
14 Jul 2009
Very lazy late brunch - just what the doctor ordered - great brakfasts, quality food and believe me we are fussy when it comes to quality!! Great guest larger - shame I was driving as I could of sat with the hubby andsat and watched the world go by all afternoon slowly sipping!! Great frendly servcie, we will certainly be visitng again.
Toilets slightly let them down - did not look as if they had been cleaned from the night before and one ladies toilet was just unbelieveable!
Visited: July 14, 2009
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customer service
Rating - Overall: 3 Food: 5 Service: 1 Ambience: 1
13 Jul 2009
that blonde girl o dress diferent!!! she needes to stop flirting with male customers and start do her job properly, that is not the kind of customer service we expect.....
Visited: July 12, 2009
What I ate: blonde grilThis review has no responses yet
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Waiter/waitress never arrived!
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 3
22 Jun 2009
So my girlfriend and I have been keen to try out coal since walking past it on our way to the cinema.
After specifically scheduling in over 90 mins to have a meal there before going to the cinema we turn up and we were seated by the manager. We were next to another couple who seemed to have been there for a few minutes already. There were menus on the table so we started to pick what we wanted.
After 5 mins we were a little confused as to why no one had been over to at least take a drinks order.
By the time it had got to 15 minutes with no sign of any staff coming over to take out order and we could not even catch the attention of any walking around we had a random drinks order come over to us, which was the final straw. We decided to go next door to Zizzis! A much better experience, prompt ordering, polite staff and they even rushed our food through to help us get to our showing!
I will not be going to Coal again!
Visited: June 22, 2009
What I ate: NothingThis review has no responses yet
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Exceptional!!!!
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: — Service: — Ambience: —
28 May 2009
On my first visit to Coal Grill and Bar i was very impressed!!!! Friendly and professional staff who seemed like nothing was too much trouble! They even sang for my daughter's birthday as a pleasant suprise for us all! Great selection of drinks (the children loved the milkshakes!) and the selection of steaks were varied. My daughter had the firesticks which was presented in an innovative way and tasted just as great!! Will definitely be coming back!
Visited: May 22, 2009
What I ate: Coal Burger (Yum!)This review has no responses yet
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A filling lunch
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
7 Apr 2009
First time i have visit a Coal and i will be returning soon. The restaurant was packed yesterday for lunch. I had two courses for £6.95 a brie salad followed by a Burger. The food was great, good portions, tasty and fresh. Don't normally expect to get such a good luch for under £10. Service was good as well.
Visited: April 6, 2009
What I ate: Brie salad and a BurgerThis review has no responses yet
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Go to Giraffe instead!
Rating - Overall: 2 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 2
1 Apr 2009
Ate here today. Despite being one of only three groups in the place, service was slow and rude, and they have the nerve to put 12.5% optional service on the bill! Ordered a calzone which was undercooked, bland and dreadful, a chicken schnitzel which was greasy and a burger which was average at most. Definately steer clear. Awful awful awful.
Visited: April 1, 2009
What I ate: see aboveThis review has no responses yet
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Saturday Spectacular
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 4 Service: 4 Ambience: 5
30 Mar 2009
Went to Coal with two other couples. Hadn't been before but were recommended by friends
Taken to the bar for drinks while they got the table ready (very busy place) then sat in one of the booths. Starters arrived quickly, we recommend the deli plate and waitress checked back all the time, keeping drinks topped up and flowing. Main courses were straight off the grill, hot, tasty and surprisingly good value
We were talked into their sharing chocolate fondue.... to die for!!
Definitely would go back and recommend anyone looking for a busy bustly friendly place to spend an evening and not feel ripped off when the bill arrives
Visited: March 28, 2009
What I ate: Deli platter, Prawns , quaedilla and others, fajitas & fire sticThis review has no responses yet
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A Great Evening
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 4
30 Mar 2009
Visited Coal today and found they had launched a new menu. Great selection of dishes and we ate from the new lunchtime prix fixe.
Attentive service, generous portions and great atmosphere.
Have booked a table for Sat eve for my wife's birthday!
Really recommend
Visited: March 30, 2009
What I ate: Seafood Crepe and Beef and Prawn Fire StcksThis review has no responses yet
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Never again
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: — Service: — Ambience: 1
3 Feb 2009
We visited coal after seeing a film, and I have never been so disappointed in a restaurant before.
The waitress was rude, the ambience was dull, the service was slow and the food was awful.
Over expensive for micro waved dinners and salads that come pre-made.
I had bacon and brie salad and I have never known a “chef” to ruin an easy dish.
What actually arrived was something far different to what was described on the menu, infact the menu would have been more appetising that the food it’s self.
The “watercress” was not watercress the Sliced bacon was 1 piece smothered in salt and dumped on the top of wilting leaves that has the unmistakable aroma and taste of dilute chlorine. The “salad” was covered in olive oil, and hidden with large slices of brie, in a vain hope that this might disguise the taste.
My house mate had 2 of their prawn fire sticks with some mulched vegetables that had been re-heated a little too frequently and some type of potato product. No effort had been put into this dish, well apart from the waitress removing the prawns from the sticks; I assume they are a safety hazard.
My Boyfriend had a burger, which was the best dish on the table; at least his chips were nice.
I have never complained about the food, by paying nearly £10 for a salad that’s not edible or pleasing to the eye, something had to be said. The retort was “well, that’s now the chef does it” Hence to say we left and wont be returning.
Visited: January 28, 2009
What I ate: Brie and Bacon Salad, coal fire sticks and one of their burgersThis review has no responses yet
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Surprisingly Brilliant!
Rating - Overall: 4 Food: 4 Service: 5 Ambience: 3
29 Jan 2009
A group of 5 of us decided to eat here following a rather long shopping day, when we got there we were told that there would be 30 minute wait, we were sat down within 15 and a very polite waitress apologising for the delay! the restauarant was packed to the rafters, however the service that we recieved was nothing short of outstanding!
All of the food and drinks that we ordered were correct, promptly served and with regards to the food was presented beautifully and tasted even better! The quesadilas were the best i had ever had, so fresh, bursting with flavour! All of the main courses that everyone ordered were beautiful and everyone was amazed at the quality, the burger, the steak and in particular the skewers were lush, these are a must.
Yes the food is quite pricey, however no more than TGI Fridays or Frankie and Bennys, and it was of much higher quality.
This is genuinely a restauarant for people who enjoy quality food....honestly!!
The only negative was the cost of the drinks which to be fair were quite steep, £3.05 for a J2O, is outrageous!!
With this exception the evening was superb, great atmosphere, great service and great food!! Highly reccommended!!
Visited: December 10, 2008
What I ate: Chicken Quesadilas, 5 spice roasted duck breastThis review has no responses yet
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Awful food and restaurant
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 2
29 Dec 2008
Whilst shopping in the Cabot Circus decided to pop in with wife and two children for lunch. My steak was literally fridge cold, my daughters jacket potato was rotten in the middle, the service was awful, waited ages for food and drinks to arrive.
Visited: December 29, 2008
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Actually Terrible
Rating - Overall: 1 Food: 1 Service: 1 Ambience: 2
19 Dec 2008
I'm sorry, but Coal has to be one of the worst restaurants I have ever visited. The food was over cooked and the service was terrible. Our waitress was pushy and rude. Do not visit this restaurant.
Visited: December 17, 2008
What I ate: Prawn Fire Sticks with bombay potaotoesThis review has no responses yet
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Can Recommend
Rating - Overall: 4 Food: 5 Service: 4 Ambience: 4
12 Dec 2008
Located just a few doors along, Coal seemed the logical place to eat before going to the cinema in Cabot Circus.
It seemed quite quite busy and so was pleasantly surprised to be shown to a table immediately.
A nice selection of wines to choose from and lots of choice on the menu. Nothing particularly fancy, but it's a grill bar after all.
My Crab Cake with Sweet Chilli Sauce starter arrived quickly and was piping hot. For main course I choice the Wok Tossed Tiger Prawns with Rice and was not disappointed. A nice size portion with plenty of flavour. Thought it a little strange to be offered Ketchup or Mayo by the waitress for such a dish but I guess the best of us work on auto pilot at times!
We were in and out relatively quickly, but at no stage did we feel we were being rushed.
Reasonable prices, and overall an enjoyable experience.
I will most definitely return again.
Visited: December 11, 2008
What I ate: Crab Cake, Wok Tossed Prawns with Basmati RiceThis review has no responses yet
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Coal Bar & Grill
Rating - Overall: 5 Food: 5 Service: 5 Ambience: 5
11 Nov 2008
What can I say but Excellent!!!
I was extremely impressed with the service here.
We took our 15 month old and usually find alot of places very unchild friendly. Under 2s eat free and they brought his food (sausage, mash & Beans - small portion) out before ours which meant I could eat a hot meal.
Well worth a visit
Visited: November 10, 2008
What I ate: Shepherds PieThis review has no responses yet
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