Pieminister has become an institution in Bristol after first opening its doors in Stokes Croft some 16 years ago.
Unsurprisingly to most Bristolians who tasted the venue's pioneering offerings, bosses have soared to success across the whole country with eateries now in London, Leeds and Liverpool, to name just a few.
But the team has never forgotten their roots, basing their headquarters in our city and opening two further restaurants here.
We visited their latest one on Broad Quay, facing Bristol’s harbour.
Like all of its venues, inside offers a minimal but strikingly impressive interior with a series of pendent light bulbs hanging down, dark walls and small wooden canteen- style chairs.
Behind the bar, Pieminister has launched its own lager which you can have on tap or bottled. They also serve a range of cocktails, milkshakes or wine.
I opted for a double gin and tonic which was served in a small bowler glass with a paper straw. Just like their decor, the tableware is simple and to the point.
Their menus are a joy: humorous titled pies, an extensive range of vegetarian options and an emphasis on reducing their carbon footprint.
For every meal ordered from their summer range, which includes Fandango (chicken & chorizo) and Moolin Rouge (steak & red wine , they’ll plant a tree.
When ordering, you can either have a pie with two regular sides (£8.95) or you can attempt their renowned Mothership (£9.95) which is a pie, mash, minty mushy peas, cheddar and crispy shallots.
And to make the meal even more indulgent, I opted for the HALLOUMINATI - fries loaded with halloumi, cheesy sauce and more crispy shallots (£6.95).
It was a tough decision picking the right pie, the Saag Pie-Neer (Paneer, potato, spinach, pea & chilli) looked very tempting, but thanks to the help of our smiling and very friendly waiter I finally settled on the HEIDI (Goats’ cheese, sweet potato, spinach).
It was simply delicious. The pastry was crispy and flaky on top while its walls were more dense and buttery.
Inside was packed with flavour, the melted goats cheese complimenting the chunks of sweet potato perfectly.
The mint mushy peas added fragrance and a hint of liquid to the main meal.
While the bowl of mash was thick and creamy, just as it should be.
Finishing this culinary genius was flakes of cheddar which came in a side bowl and meant you could keep topping up the ingredient as your taste buds desired.
I’m not sure how , but among this feast I also fitted in the halloumi chips which had just the right amount of each to ensure it wasn’t too rich.
For anyone still hungry, there was a range of sundaes on offer (4.50) or hot puds in the form of sticky toffee or hot chocolate pud (4.95).
It's easy to see why new Pieminsters are popping up across the whole of the UK, their food is simple in its concept but ambitious and fun with its execution - and the venue easily serves the best pies in the country.
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