Ace Places to Eat Around Bristol: BEETS N ROOTS

Do you know anywhere in Bristol which is vegan, vegetarian and family-friendly, has a great vibe, outdoor space AND serves super-tasty plant-based food? It turns out I do. Wahoo! Click through to find out more about Beets n Roots cafe!

BEETS N ROOTS, BRISTOL

VEGETARIAN, VEGAN AND FAMILY-FRIENDLY CAFE

When I go out for brunch, there’s likely to be a rasher of bacon or two and maybe a sausage in the mix but the invitation to sample “nutritious and delicious plant-based delights” at Beets n Roots cafe was enough to entice me across Clifton Suspension Bridge to check out their healthy-sounding spring menu.

The Observatory which overlooks Clifton Suspension Bridge

Beets ‘n roots is on Cotham Hill, the little street which runs at an angle just behind Bristol’s bustling Whiteladies Road. It was my first visit and as I approached, I drank in the casual atmosphere and pretty decor of the outside seating area, with wooden tables and chairs and brightly coloured Moroccan cushions providing a bright contrast to the neutrals.

The spring menu has been designed by nutritionist Rosie Letts. The focus is on tasty food with a high proportion of raw vegetable ingredients which promise all sorts of health benefits including boosted immunity.

Rosie Letts Nutrition (right) who designed the new Menu

I started by sampling fruit and vegetable juices which are cold pressed to help retain their nutrients. The first included orange, carrot turmeric and ginger and the second was beetroot with lemon and apple. I’m a fan of beetroot and enjoyed both.

Next I dabbled at the ‘create your own smoothie bowl’ station, adding nutritious ingredients such as fresh raspberries, kiwi, seeds and granola to a smoothie base in an attempt to create a pretty rainbow delight.

What actually happened was that I was far too busy taking photos and talking about about the health benefits of turmeric to make something beautiful so I nabbed a pic of my chefy friend‘s beautiful creation instead! Seriously, there’s no point trying to compete with those presentation skills, right?

From the menu, I chose “The All Mighty Breakfast” (£9.95) and was amused to be offered the option of scrambled egg or scrambled tofu! Clearly I don’t get out enough. My meal included a large flat mushroom on toast sprinkled with china rose sprouts, avocado, baked beans, scrambled egg, ginger and garlic sautéed kale, basil and garlic roasted tomatoes and fresh leaves.

The food was beautifully presented and tasted absolutely delicious. I particularly liked the scrambled egg which incorporated spinach, peppers and tomato.

I like to incorporate lots of vegetables into my cooking, however I hadn’t ever thought of messing about with scrambled eggs. Since eating my “All Mighty Breakfast” I’ve been shoe-horning all sorts of healthy ingredients into my eggs. I’ve also acquired a forest of herbs on my windowsill which I add to my cooking and salads at the slightest provocation with a nod to the fresh flavours at Beets n Roots.

THE VERDICT?

Despite the busy event, service was efficient. Beets ‘n Roots is family-friendly too. Books and toys were available and staff found time to make a fuss of children in the group.

Hanging out on the sunken sun deck, enjoying a colourful feast of healthy but absurdly tasty food, made me feel something like a cool trendy thang. I’d highly recommend it. If you can find a vegetarian or vegan companion to drag along with you, I reckon you could earn oodles of brownie points simply because there ACTUAL CHOICES for them on the menu!

The food is tasty, colourful and just oozes goodness. I left Beets n Roots feeling simultaneously virtuous, clean-living and pleasantly full up. I didn’t feel I’d missed out on meat in the least, but I did enjoy discovering some new taste combinations.