Pieminster has become a Bristol institution after opening its first branch in our city two decades ago. The chain has grown so popular it's now launched eateries in locations across the UK, including its latest one in Bath.
Somerset Live reporter, Charlotte Penketh-king, visited the venue for its opening night and was left very impressed.
Here is what she thought of the new Pieminister restaurant on Westgate Street in Bath.
READ MORE: Pieminister: Sneak preview inside new restaurant that opens in Bath tomorrow
Having enjoyed several meals at Pieminister's flagship store in Stokes Croft, that opened back in 2003, I visited their new restaurant last Wednesday (February 8) with my boyfriend who had never tried their pies before.
We were greeted at the door with a glass of complimentary champagne offered to us by one of the owners of Pieminister, Jon Simon, and his wife, Romany Simon, who is the head of press for the piemaking company.
The new restaurant, which is the 16th Pieminister store to open in the UK, was decorated in typical Pieminister fashion with quirky pie puns decorating the walls, including 'This Is Your Hap-Pie Place', 'Live and Eat Pie' and 'Craving Gravy'.
We were seated opposite one special feature that is unique to the store - a giant grey bath tub hanging from the ceiling to greet guests at the front door with 'Welcome to Bath!' painted on the side of it.
As we sipped our complimentary champagne, starters were circled around the restaurant for guests of the pre-opening party, which included members of the press for Bath and local social media influencers, to enjoy.
We sampled huge crunchy slices of crackling, accompanied by delightfully fruity apple sauce, as well as juicy honey and mustard sausages, thick slabs of halloumi and succulent balls of kale and parsnip fritters.
Five of Pieminister's staple pies were on offering to the guests - Heidi, Moolin Rouge, Moo and Blue, Mooless Moo or Free Ranger - served in their 'Mothership' style with mashed potato, mushy peas, cheese, shallots and gravy piled on top.
With myself being a seasoned pie expert, I opted for my favourite of the Pieminister choices, ordering a Moo and Blue - a beef steak and stilton pie - whilst my pie newbie boyfriend went for a Free Ranger - a free range British chicken and ham pie with leek and thyme.
The pies came out as towering spectacles with toppings galore and the thickest gravy imaginable which I eagerly poured all over my plate.
The steak inside my pie was cooked to perfection, falling apart delicately in my mouth, with the minty mushy peas complimenting the strong taste of blue cheese.
Although new to the world of pie, my boyfriend was also delighted with his choice, claiming you could really taste the difference made by Pieminister using sustainable ingredients and free range chicken.
He was extremely complimentary of just how stuffed full the pie was as well, with no gaps between filling and crust, making for a hugely satisfying meal.
After a generous offering of starters and our giant pies, we had to sit for a few moments to let our food settle in our stomachs before leaving the restaurant and were thrilled to be handed goody bags upon our exit.
We returned home with a complimentary Pieminister lager, a tea towel, a David Bowie themed pie badge, our very own pie dishes so we could make our own pies at home and very full stomachs.
The new restaurant certainly lived up to the stellar reputation that Pieminister has built for itself over the past two decades and looks to be the perfect new spot for Bath locals to visit for a delicious and filling meal.
You can book a table at the new restaurant via their website.
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