This week on the bar at 40 Alfred Place, there are pastries galore, made fresh this morning in Cotham, a choice of hot and cold drinks, glass jars full of granola and colourful fresh flowers. Earlier this month, there was cava-tasting from Mi Casa and fish suppers cooked by Lido head chef Freddy Bird.
Who knows what the future might bring to this extravagantly high-ceilinged building?
For many years it was eccentric Portuguese restaurant A Cozinha, more recently the short-lived Alfred’s, and is now a permanent pop-up venue available for anyone to use for what they wish, from supper clubs to Scrabble clubs.
The business partners behind the venture, Robert Birse and Kate Hawkings, hire out 40 Alfred Place from £50 for a Monday night to £250 on a Saturday, and if needed “can lend you a chef, barkeep, fiddle player or host. You can be the boss.”
Yesterday, this permanent pop-up welcomed a permanent addition, a cafe which from Monday to Friday will be serving the pastries from Bristol’s finest female artisan baker Laura Hart of Hart’s Bakery, and coffees from Extract Coffee, who many swear are the best coffee roasters in Bristol.
So this corner of Kingsdown now has the paradox of a cafe here to stay in a building that can change like a chameleon depending on the whim of who next wants to hire it.
During the day, however, it is resolutely just a cafe, and a very good one at that; one which I will hopefully be making regular visits to, for its splendid pastries and coffees, and as my day job is conveniently situated just a short roll down Horfield Road and then a pedal or two onwards.
It had a peaceful, unfussed feel to it when I popped in for breakfast today on its second day of opening, just what’s needed for an early morning. White drapes on the windows match the white decor inside, white walls and whitewashed tables. A fellow breakfaster was continuing the white theme, tapping away on her white Apple laptop, making the most of the free wi-fi.
Lunch is served here as well, the best of the menu a winning combination of artisan bread from Hart’s and artisan cheese from St Nic’s Market favourites Trethowan’s Dairy.
Who knows what else will soon be adorning the bar at this exciting new Bristol culinary venture? For the time being, enjoy the pastries and coffee and look forward to more eclectic evenings soon.
40 Alfred Place, 40 Alfred Place, Kingsdown, Bristol.
Great blog post. The next evening event (I think?) is called “Chic & Unique” by Tara’s Table http://www.tarastable.co.uk which is on 9th and 10th September, then we’re hosting our first evening event called “dine with i” on 14th September http://www.dinewithi.com The response has been fab and we’re really excited to be putting this on.
Full credit to Rob and Kate for having the vision to do something different with 40 Alfred Place. Great idea. Hope everyone supports it as this is an exciting new opportunity for budding restaurateurs, cooks, chefs and of course foodies. Can’t wait to sample the Harts Bakery pastries and Extract coffee myself v soon too!