MasterChef presenter Grace Dent says TV committments ‘sucked up’ most of her ‘waking hours’ final yr which means she wished to focus on visiting venues with ‘heart-thumpingly good meals’
Grace Dent has described two restaurants in Bristol as ‘absolute gems’(Image: PA)
MasterChef’s Grace Dent has named two Bristol restaurants amongst her prime venues, describing them as “absolute gems”. The 52-year-old has made her debut on the amateur cooking series alongside chef Anna Haugh.
Grace had beforehand offered the movie star version of the present alongside John Torode. A restaurant critic by commerce, she has beforehand appeared on exhibits similar to The Professionals and Great British Menu.
She says that MasterChef “sucked up most of her waking hours” final yr which means she was in a position to get out to fewer restaurants than regular. It did nevertheless imply that venues with “zinging hospitality” and “heart-thumpingly good food” stood out more than usual.
In her Guardian column final yr, Grace stated that features two Bristol venues, Ragù and Lapin.. Both are primarily based in repurposed delivery containers within the harbourside Wapping Wharf.
Grace stated: “Lapin I described as a ‘peculiar, meta, slightly earnest and definitely delicious’ slice of France that serves asparagus with sauce gribiche, gnocchi Parisienne and, well, lapin itself whenever local hunters manage to bag some bunnies.”
She says the venue will “add caviar to any dish” should you ask for it. Run by Dan O’Regan and Jack Briggs-Horan, Lapin says it has been “inspired by the vibrant bistros and brasseries of France”.
Headchef Jack has designed a menu that provides a “fresh, modern take” on traditional French dishes. It says it really works with “exceptional ingredients” which have been sourced from throughout the UK and Europe.
Grace highlighted the venue’s 80s French pop soundtrack in addition to its “mint-green, menthe-over-club-soda diabolo” for offering “French exchange school trip vibes”. While she loved Lapin, she says Ragù provided the “greatest dinner” she has had in a very long time.
The critic added: “Ragù, meanwhile, may quite simply be one of the greatest dinners I’ve eaten this decade: crespelle in rich tomato brodo, artichoke fritti and chocolate budino with sour cherries and amaretti – flawless cooking in completely understated surroundings.”
Ragù is operated by husband and spouse duo Karen and Mark Chapman, who met in Australia earlier than settling in Bristol. However they are saying it was their love of Italy that impressed Ragù.
It says it has a deal with “quality ingredients, prepared simply, with love”. It invitations diners to come back alone or with family and friends for an “aperitif, full family feast or a slice of tiramisu”.
The restaurant says it has a seasonally updated menu. Karen and Mark, who also run COR, like to place “good hospitality front and centre” of their venues, while taking a focus on sustainability.
Grace in the meantime will return to screens with MasterChef from 9pm on BBC One. She shall be placing six extra amateurs by means of their paces, together with a tattoo artist and a retired US diplomat.
