The owners of Bristol restaurant Tare have announced the opening date of its new wine and food bar at Wapping Wharf. Picole is launching in the neighbouring Cargo shipping container at the site previously home to Woky Ko Rooftop, which was among three of the brand's sites to close this year.
Tare has grown to critical acclaim since it opened with the launch of the Cargo development back in 2017 serving a high-quality tasting menu in its 20-cover restaurant. Founder Matt Hampshire said Tare's sister site Picole has been several years in the making and was born out of the team's growing passion for excellent wine.
Speaking about the opening of his new venture, Matt said: “As we expanded our wine offering, built relationships with suppliers and, most importantly, shared our passion for wine with our guests, Picole started to take shape. When a beautiful unit in Cargo 2 became available, we jumped at the opportunity."
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The venue will have more of a drinks focus than its sister restaurant, with guests able to choose from a selection of snacks and small plates to accompany their wines opening this Wednesday (December 7) from 5pm. Picole will focus on sustainably produced food, and natural, low-intervention wines fronted by Head Chef Rino Di Donato and Davey Alford as the wine bar's manager.
“Guests can expect a thoughtfully selected wine list that our team will happily guide you through, alongside a collection of snacks, sharing boards and small plates," Matt added. “After many late nights at Tare discussing the possibility of opening a new venue centred around the food and wine we love, we're thrilled to see Picole take shape and can't wait to share it with you all very soon.”
The website offers a December sample menu with sharing dishes ranging from £4 to £12 each based on vegetables, seasonal fish and meat cooked from the bar's open kitchen. Open from Wednesday to Saturday between 5pm and 11pm, Picole will also offer by-the-glass or by-the-bottle wines that will change frequently depending on what the staff are "excited about".
Stuart Hatton, managing director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: “Tare was one of the first businesses to open in Cargo 2, and we’ve loved seeing them become such a loved and valued member of our community of independents, not to mention the fact we’ve enjoyed many a fantastic meal there over the years! We’re delighted to see them expanding and opening up not only a new concept for them, but a new concept for Wapping Wharf, with the introduction of a wine bar where people can enjoy a glass of something special alongside some delicious small plates, and we’re extremely excited to see their second business grow and thrive.”
Wapping Wharf businesses have seen a severe loss in footfall in recent months since the temporary closure of Gaol Ferry Bridge for essential works. The area has also been earmarked for a new development that will incorporate homes, shops, restaurants, takeaways and workspaces alongside Bristol's harbourside.
You can make a reservation for Picole on its website. Follow Picole on Instagram here.
Find Picole at Unit 25, Museum St, Wapping Wharf, Bristol, BS1 6ZA
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