The Green Man - Food Review in Bristol
Posted on: 2016-01-29
Our rating:
These are stupendously sized, phenomenally tasty burgers, word of mouth has obviously got around and it's easy to see why practically everyone was getting stuck into one of these remarkable burger-based beasts.
'A gem of a pub' is an epithet oft-used in the reviewing world, but if you step through the doors of The Green Man in Kingsdown in Bristol, you'll quickly realise it's a hyperbole that could well have been created especially for it.
Housed in a Grade II listed building, this out-of-the-way Dawkins Ales backstreet boozer has all the warm, comforting charm of a country pub. This homely, welcoming ambience created by the wood panel decor is also enhanced by the quirky additions of cool, kitsch memorabilia dotted around the place including film posters (Raiders of the Lost Ark, A Fistful of Dollars) and stacks of board games such as Cluedo and Operation.
There are six pumps specifically for Dawkins ales which, on the evening I popped in, included Bristol Blonde, Foresters Black Slapstick Special, and the moreishly delicious, stouty Tryanuary. There's also an impressive range of ciders, wines and spirits, while a special deal on gin meant the G&T's were flying from the optics.
On a wet and windy Thursday evening, this characterful, dimly-lit pub was packed to the rafters with a cross-section of people from students to office workers who were evidently lured in by the incredible new burger menu which runs from Wednesday to Friday.
Chefs Tim Peacock and Dan Beswick started their burger empire The Bear Grillz in the Bear Pit at the bottom of Stokes Croft and their eye-popping, stomach-rumblingly awesome menu of 36 burgers is truly something to behold. Having now set up permanent residence at The Green Man, Bear Grillz burger options include beef, veggie, chicken and pork as well a gut-busting, Man vs Food style meat or veggie challenge.
It took my brother and I a good fifteen minutes and at least six changes of mind to work our way through the menu's tantalising list of inventively titled burgers such as Elmer Fudge, Nana's Party Hedgehog and Pig Trouble in Little China to finally come to a decision.
Prompted to go for something different, my brother went for the veggie burger option, Hot Lips (£9.50), a chilli infused burger monster topped with flame grilled spicy peppers, chilli cheese and house chilli jam. It was a beautifully flavoured burger, while the seasoning added a supreme flavour accompanied by the fresh, mouthwatering garnishes and the hot green chilli jam, all packed between a soft and fresh seeded roll.
Hot Lips Veggie Burger
I went for the How Now Blue Sow (£11) a chilli charged burger topped with slow cooked BearBQ pulled pork, blue cheese and red onion confit. It was a colossal creation full of flavour-packed, meltingly divine pulled pork, intense, creamy blue cheese and sensationally soft, sweet, caramelised onions.
.jpg "How Now Blue Sow Burger at The Green Man in Bristol")
How Now Blue Sow Burger
Both burgers were accompanied by a generous portion of wonderfully soft, sweet handcut Maris Piper skin-on chips.
These are stupendously sized, phenomenally tasty burgers, word of mouth has obviously got around and it's easy to see why practically everyone was getting stuck into one of these remarkable burger-based beasts.
As well as the burgers, The Green Man also plate up roasts every Sunday, and keep the punters well entertained between the food gorging and ale quaffing with a quiz every Wednesday, a burger and a pint for a tenner Deal Day on Thursday, and a meat and booze raffle on Friday.
Cordial landlord Phil Sinnett is clearly giving his customers want they want and it's easy to see why The Green Man was packing them in all evening. It genuinely is a wonderfully inviting, vibrant, atmospheric pub with a few nice offbeat touches - and super-sized, scrumptious burgers that really are something to write home about.
5/5
Reviewed by Jamie Caddick with additional words and photos by Andrew Caddick for 365Bristol.com
The Green Man is located at: 21 Alfred Place, Kingsdown, Bristol, BS2 8HD.
For further info please visit their website, Facebook page or Twitter.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
