HOT MEALS: Giraffe in Bath - Review

There can be a snobbish-ness about restaurant chains, and about any kind of shop chain in general.

But the reality is that we need them. When a big name brand comes to a town or city, others will follow.

When they come, visitors will also come, and so is created a thriving social scene, and then smaller, independent outlets can flourish.

Bath is a prime example of this. Pay a visit to the artisan Walcot Street, or venture off the beaten track to the smaller side streets, there are plenty of quirky little shops and restaurants to tickle your fancy.

But stick to the main drag, and you will find the well-known big names.

The new shopping development, Southgate, which replaced an unspeakably ugly throw-back from the 70s, has predominantly been filled with well-known High Street brands like Debenhams, Boots and River Island, although there is still provision for smaller businesses to rub shoulders with the big boys.

But while the retail side of the development may be flourishing, the social side has taken a little longer to build up steam.

However, tomorrow restaurant chain Giraffe, opens up the doors of its newest branch in Southgate.

I went along on last night for a sneak preview, and I have to say I was impressed by what I found.

Yes, it might be a chain, but it doesn’t mean that there is no attention to detail or that it lacks any character.

Quite the opposite in fact. While most branches of Giraffe are catering for the family market, this one had a distinctly more grown-up feel.

Walking through the door the first thing you notice is the enormous light fitting hanging from the ceiling created from different coloured wires.

The slightly industrial theme to the décor continues with exposed pipes running over head, but it is softened by retro touches in the wallpaper and wall decorations.

The new Giraffe in Bath

The menu is large, but without being overwhelmingly so, catering for just about every taste and the range of cocktails is far from ordinary.

My partner and I started with a bruschetta sharing plate, which at just over £5 for 2 of us was great value.

The little triangles of focaccia bread were soft and light and just the perfect thickness to carry the toppings without making them taste doughy. Drenched with garlic butter, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and pesto oil, they were oozing with flavour and half packed an extra little punch of flavour with the addition of a artichoke, black olive and red pepper salsa.

Bruschetta sharing plate

The mains did not disappoint either. I ordered the Chilli Beef Enchilada which was packed with flavour, and the pumpkin seeds sprinkled in the salsa gave it some added texture.

The accompanying avocado salad with a tequila and lime dressing was far superior to the average side salad.

Chilli Beef Enchilada

My partner’s Parmesan Chicken Schnitzel “Kiev” was equally good. Instead of having the garlic butter inside the chicken, the flattened and breaded breast was instead drenched in it, avoiding any of the disappointment so often associated with chicken kievs when instead of oozing out deliciously you discover that all the garlicky filling had escaped.

It also meant that the chicken was perfectly moist, and the herb butter mash was an ideal accompaniment and more imaginative than bog-standard chips.

Parmesan Chicken Schnitzel "Kiev"

The mains were delivered with an impressively large condiment basket. It was slightly too big to comfortably sit on our table for two but staff were eagle eyed enough to remove it as soon as we had finished, but without us having to ask.

We finished with a Rocky Road Ice Cream Sundae which was easily big enough for two to share.

With a chocolate brownie, chunky choc and vanilla ice cream, marshmallows and hot chocolate sauce all packed into one glass it was a dessert-lover’s dream come true, with each gooey, chocolatey mouthful seemingly more delicious than the last.

Rocky Road Ice Cream Sundae

The service throughout was excellent with all the staff attentive, but not annoying.

They were very friendly and despite it being their first day were knowledgeable and well-informed about the menu.

Although it wasn’t completely perfect, our drinks almost got delivered to the table next door, it in no way spoiled the experience, and everyone was so smiley and friendly that any small mistakes were, just that – small, and instantly forgiveable. I’ve had far worse service at places that really should no better, and I’m sure that any little glitches will be ironed out in a matter of days.

So yes, Giraffe may be a chain restaurant, but that should not be a reason to dismiss it.

It’s fun, friendly and the food is delicious. What more can you ask for?