We are totally spoilt in Bristol with wonderful places to eat and drink. I go out quite a lot – I think it’s my favourite hobby – but realised I haven’t shared many of my favourites over here much recently. It’s time to rectify that, starting with the amazing BOX-E.
It took me a while to actually get there, after drooling over photos on BOX-E’s Instagram. There was something about it – I couldn’t put my finger on it. I think it was the simplicity of it all – a passion for food. Husband and wife team Elliott and Tess have created a beautiful little restaurant in this shipping container, full of heart.
Oh, and the pannacotta.
Chef Elliott’s pannacottas swiftly became famous – I dreamed about them, and I wasn’t disappointed when I finally had one in December last year – more on that later.
I headed back to BOX-E one rainy evening with a couple of friends, and it was even better than the first time. We sat in the cosy 14-seat shipping container restaurant and ordered some drinks, all tasting a sip of each other’s. Will’s was the prettiest – a gin and tonic with a slice of beetroot in it. As always, we were brought homemade bread and butter while we browsed the menu.
To start, I had heritage beetroot, goats’ curd & preserved lemon (pictured above). I really love beetroot, and this tasted as fresh as it looked. The colourful beets were sweet and earthy, with the lemon cutting through the soft, smooth curd. A very good start.
We were lucky enough to have a little extra plate of asparagus, hazelnut & bottarga each too. The stalks were perfectly tender, with a citrussy, nutty accompaniment. I wouldn’t have thought of this combination, but it worked so well, I could’ve happily eaten more.
For my main I chose rump of salt marsh lamb, freekah and charred radicchio, and the others had the hake with jersey royals and seaweed butter – I didn’t take a photo of that, but they let me try some and it was wonderful – flaky and buttery, and it tasted of the sea, in a good way.
The lamb came gorgeously pink, sliced and placed upon freekah and some kind of delicious green stuff. The charred radicchio on top was very tasty – almost nutty – and I wish there had been more. The meat was so soft and flavourful.
When the last course came around, I knew exactly what I wanted – that BOX-E pannacotta.
I decided to go for double rhubarb – I drank a rhubarb gin fizz, alongside my vanilla pannacotta with poached rhubarb and candied almonds.
Oh. My. Life.
Honestly, this was absolutely the best pannacotta I’ve ever had, and possibly my favourite dessert ever. The one I had on a previous visit was great, but this was a whole new level. It was tempting to order another as soon as I’d finished, and if I hadn’t been so full, I probably would have. I want to eat that pannacotta forever. I could drown in it.
Oh, and just in case you wondered what I ate on my first visit to BOX-E, here are a few photos. I can’t remember exactly what we had, and some of the photos didn’t turn out great, but above are the mains and below is the iconic dessert.
I think the top is roasted cauliflower, with pickled cauliflower and possibly cauliflower puree.. I had fish with chorizo and butter beans. Then that pannacotta again, with pistachio and orange. Sam had the incredible chocolate mousse, which is only a fraction behind the panncotta in the dessert stakes. All absolutely amazing, of course.
Something I really love about BOX-E is how special the food is, and how much thought, time and care goes into it. It’s totally unpretentious too – the atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, and everyone who works there is really friendly and helpful.
If you’re in Bristol (and even if you’re not – it’s worth travelling for) you must book in soon to try Elliott’s delicious food for yourself.
