A friend at work had been raving about a place called The Corner House for weeks, so last Saturday my partner and I decided to try it for ourselves.
The cafe is tucked away on a quiet side street near the harbour, and if you weren't looking for it you'd probably walk straight past. From the outside it looks like an ordinary terraced house, but inside it's been converted into a warm, cosy space with exposed brick walls, mismatched wooden chairs, and shelves full of second-hand books. There's seating for about thirty people, which makes it feel intimate rather than cramped.
We arrived at half past twelve and were shown to a table by the window. The menu changes weekly, which I think is a good sign. We both ordered the soup to start. Mine was roasted red pepper, and it came with a thick slice of homemade sourdough bread. It was honestly one of the best soups I've had in a long time.
For the main course, I went for their signature dish: a slow-roasted chicken with roasted vegetables and a garlic cream sauce. The portions were generous, and the chicken was tender and full of flavour. My partner had the mushroom risotto, which she said was rich and perfectly seasoned. Neither of us could find anything to complain about.
The staff were friendly and attentive without being overbearing. They checked on us a couple of times and were happy to explain the menu when we asked. The only small issue was that our drinks took a while to arrive, but the kitchen was clearly busy and it wasn't a long wait.
In terms of price, two courses each with drinks came to about forty-five pounds in total. For the quality of the food and the setting, I'd say that's reasonably priced. Not the cheapest lunch in Bristol, but you're paying for ingredients and skill, not just a name.
Overall, The Corner House is exactly the kind of place I love: unpretentious, welcoming, and focused on good food. I'd recommend booking ahead for weekends as it fills up quickly. We'll definitely be going back.