Lovely paella

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 5

ClaireJames
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Apr 10
Rating: 1

1 Apr 2010

Went here on a Sunday evening and had the paella. Cooked fresh in a huge pan in the restaurant for the diners to see and enjoy, it was the best paella I'd ever had.

Really great, buzzing atmosphere and I'd definitely recommend booking as it was very busy.

Visited: March 28, 2010
What I ate: Paella, patatas bravas, alubias salteadas

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Proper Spanish

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

leeneeloo
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Jul 09
Rating: 0

8 Jul 2009

First meal on our first visit to Bristol.

We were attracted to the unusual building and saw their sign advertising Paella and Flamenco. So we walked in to enquire what time the flamenco was and if we had to book. We booked anyway, just in case.

When we arrived for dinner, we were offered a small table for 2 near the door. We were feeling quite cold, so asked for a table inside. The manager, we think, spanish guy then gave us a 4-seater table inside, which was very good of him. He did point out that he would have preferred to put a larger group on the table. It was 99% full at some point in the evening, and we're sure they could have done with our table.

We ordered 5 tapas dishes to share. Costillas Crusientes (crispy pork ribs with garlic and syrup), Gambas al ajillo (shell off prawns with garlic, olive oil and chilli), Grilled Sardines, Alubia Salteadas (white beans with garlic, tomato and cream), and Fresh Sealsonal Vegetable skewers. Even though we are small eaters, we managed to polish them off as they were absolutely delicious and quite small portions. We even had the cheesecake dessert to share. We also had a large glass of house white each, and they were beautiful. Shame we forgot to ask for the label. Don't remember ever enjoying house whites this much.

Flamenco was great, even though we couldn't see most of it (unless you were at the bar or the larger group tables), we still enjoyed the music, the beats, and the 'stamping'.

All in all, it was a romantic, yet lively evening, with great food, good service, genuine cooking.

Shame they're not in London or we'd be there regularly.

Visited: July 5, 2009
What I ate: Costillas Crusientes, Gambas al ajillo, Grilled Sardines, Alubia

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Overall, Great Venue

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 5

goodkid82
Foodie
Member since Feb 09
Rating: 1

5 Mar 2009

The first time I walked into El Puerto, I loved the upbeat and lively vibe. I was also struck by the lovely interior. That evening, we ordered tapas and the food was delicious. I have been back to El Puerto on two occasions but was a bit disappointed with the last visit. It seemed the mussels had been sitting around for a while as there was a film on the top of the sauce and the ones at the edges were dry. Overall, I would recommend the dishes below. On busier nights, I felt the waitstaff was a bit distant (except for the time we went as a large group-then they had more time for us). When it was quiet, our waitress was great. A trip to El Puerto is always a bit more expensive than I would like to spend. I haven't been back to try the seafood paella but someone let me know how it is; I don't want to be disappointed!

Visited: April 12, 2008
What I ate: chorizo inferno, chorizo a la plancha, albondigas, bbq pork ribs

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Great ambience

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 3  Service: 3  Ambience: 5

lauraloo
Gastronome
Member since May 08
Rating: 1

2 Jan 2009

Love the low lighting, the nooks and crannies - this place really has the feel of a tapas bar in Barcelona (albiet a slightly chainy-feeling one). Have eaten here a few times in the last year and although happy, not blown away. I find tapas to be poor value for money (ie it's really easy to spend tonnes) but that's not El Puerto's fault - that's my eyes being bigger than my belly. Well- priced wine and far FAR superior to the evils of La Tasca (which is basically your alternative in central Bristol).

Visited: February 9, 2008
What I ate: Muchos tapas

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Always good

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 3  Ambience: 5

dinner42
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Jan 09
Rating: 0

2 Jan 2009

Puerto's one of my regular venues. I've taken friends and business associates there at various times and we've never had a bad meal. There's a wide choice on the menu and the interiors are fantastic. The fact that so many of the staff are Spanish just adds to the atmosphere. Service is in line with what you'd get in a busy tapas bar in Spain. You might wait a bit if it's very busy and there won't be many airs and graces, but the staff are efficient, welcoming and know their stuff. You can eat sitting at the bar if you want to and I always enjoy this when it's not too busy.

Visited: November 26, 2008
What I ate: tapas

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Brilliant

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 5

susiemayhew
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Dec 08
Rating: 1

18 Dec 2008

This is a great Restaurant. One of my favourites in Bristol. It is perfect for a dinner with friends or a partner. I frequently take colleagues here when they come from out of town and I am always guarnteed that they will enjoy it.

I would book here time and time again... and book you must as it gets very busy

Visited: September 4, 2008
What I ate: Garlic and chilli prawns (fab) Chrizo and Mushrrom (perfect)

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Lively Spanish Bar

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

Chowdown
Foodie
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 3

14 Nov 2008

Ate here with a group of friends for a birthday. We decided it would be quicker to try their party menu where you pay so much per head and get a selection of dishes. It was great value for money and there seemed to be more food than we could eat. The quality is very good evertime we visit and this was no exception.

It's a lively venue and such a nice ambience.... we just can't keep away!

Visited: November 13, 2008
What I ate: Everything!

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Meal at El Puerto

Rating - Overall: 5  Food: 5  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

Roxy26
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Oct 08
Rating: 0

25 Oct 2008

After my boyfriend and I had some trouble trying to find somewhere new and decent to go for a bite to eat, he convinced me to try something a bit different in El Puerto. The staff were very pleasant and showed us a list of exciting specials and helped us to pick something from the tapas menu, as we were a bit unsure on what to order. The food was of a fair size and absolutley gorgeous. I was a bit unsure on what to expect but was blown away by how yummy it was. The drinks were a little bit on the expensive side but this certainly won't put us off coming again as we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. It almost felt like we were in Spain!

Visited: October 23, 2008

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Paella!

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

republic
Connoisseur
Member since Nov 08
Rating: 0

9 Oct 2008

Nice cosy venue with a good buzz. Always excellent food & friendly staff. You have to try the Paella!! - you'll never finish it! Always a treat to go there...

Visited: September 3, 2008
What I ate: paella

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El Puerto getting worso...

Rating - Overall: 2  Food: 3  Service: 1  Ambience: 2

sinky
Foodie
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 2

21 Sep 2008

Ok, sorry about the title. Probably my own fault for going on a Saturday night but the place was heaving, not enough staff and so loud we couldn't hear each other. I went for a close friend's birthday, we didn't get any drinks for over half an hour so queued at the bar ourselves. We ordered tapas for eight, the standard was ok and the white asparagus was good but I draw the line when 'authetic' Spanish food means frozen re-heated calamari. Not bad meatballs but wouldn't be in a mad rush to go back there. Not my idea of authentic tapas and that said without a hint of snobbery....the wine was pretty expensive too.

Visited: August 2, 2008
What I ate: Mixed meat and seafood tapas

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diner

Rating - Overall: 2  Food: 2  Service: 4  Ambience: 2

Ines
Rookie Reviewer
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 0

18 Sep 2008

I have been to El Puerto a couple of times, sometimes in groups and sometimes just diner for two. I have to say that they are great for managing big groups. I am not overwhelmed by the food though. It's ok I think, but not for a special night out.

Visited: June 3, 2007
What I ate: tapas

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Brilliant Tapas

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 3  Ambience: 5

Gregoir
Connoisseur
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 10

28 Jul 2008

We went to ye old faithful on Saturday night for a bite to eat, El Puerto. If there is a restaurant in Bristol where you can always guarentee a good vibe, quick service and tasty food, El Puerto fits the bill. We managed to get a table on Saturday night at about 9pm and after having some drinks at the bar, we sat down for our mains, a nice selection of Tapas. I always seem to go for the same thing here but instead I opted for something different this time. We chose garlic bread, chicken and peppers in beer, a red wine beef stew and king prawns in a tomato and chilli sauce. This was washed down with a couple of drinks and a lively atmosphere. 100% recommended for a great evening

Visited: July 26, 2008

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Lovely Food

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 3

Kerry
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 0

16 Jun 2008

I've eaten in El Puerto several times in '07' & '08' and on each occasion the food has been lovely. Sometimes the dishes do seem a bit small for the price but overall you can not fault it the food. Plan to visit next time on a Sunday to experience the Flamenco dancers!

Visited: June 14, 2008

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Tasty morsils

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 4  Service: 5  Ambience: 5

naomi
Connoisseur
Member since Jun 08
Rating: 0

12 Jun 2008

I visited for the first time on Saturday night, after many years of intending to visit.

I loved the atmosphere. The restaurant was busy, but not overly noisy.

The food being carried by the waiters looked fantastic and ours did not disappoint either. The portions were fairly small, but it was tapas.....

The only disappointment was the bill. It seemed expensive, for the small dishes we had ordered.

I would recommend this venue as a great place to relax and snack. In my opinion tapas is more suited as an afternoon snack, rather than as a full meal.

Visited: June 7, 2008

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Review El Puerto

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 3  Service: 3  Ambience: 5

noddy1
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 2

28 May 2008

I've visited El Puerto on many occasions with friends to sample the tapas and to enjoy the atmosphere. Fantastic food and a really busy and bustling atmostphere especially great on a Sunday night when other pubs have their quiz's - el puerto has flamenco dancers and plenty of noise and music to make you think it is a Saturday night! great to celebrate a birthday or to go on a first date if you want to have lots of choice of food to taste but not huge amounts to gorge on! I love the meat balls and the goujons of whitebait. I would highly recommend. Service is great and as all food is cooked fresh you will have to wait but you won't notice it with the bread and olives to keep you going

Visited: March 23, 2008

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Excellant

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 4  Ambience: 4

jswan37
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 0

26 May 2008

First visit to El Puerto although my husband eats here regularly with work contacts. Food was very good, we consider ourselves Tapas connisseurs and this was excellant. Very quick service. Only trouble is very busy and we were squashed away in a corner. There was also a live band playing. not ideal for a quiet romantic meal, but then Tapas is not supposed to be quiet. Highly recommended.

Visited: April 22, 2008

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Tapas :)

Rating - Overall: 4  Food: 4  Service: 3  Ambience: 3

Sparky
Connoisseur
Member since Sep 08
Rating: 33

26 May 2008

Have been to El Puerto several times. Excellent food, nice atmosphere. Usually busy, so book ahead if you plan to visit on the weekend. Really good Spanish food and reasonably priced.

Visited: September 16, 2007

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Mucho Gusto

Rating - Overall: 3  Food: 4  Service: 3  Ambience: 2

Philbert
Rookie Reviewer
Member since May 08
Rating: 0

25 May 2008

Not for a quiet evening,this authentic and vigorous establishment. Wide range of excellent tapas and reasonably priced Riojas and Tempranillos. Two of the four of us are going deaf, so conversation was a struggle on a heaving night. I recommend it though, and shall go again at a quieter hour

Visited: November 20, 2007

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