(Photo courtesy of Event Photography, Bristol)
Friday, November 12th saw the relaunch of Papaji’s on Whiteladies Road. Rebranded as “Papaji’s Bar, Kitchen & Teasmiths”, the venue has not only a new look, but new drinks menus, a new chef and a completely different menu to that offered in its previous incarnation.
The venue, however, has not moved away from its core tea offering. Owner Andy Dodd has not only trained as a Tea Master, but has spent time working in Darjeeling on the Glenburn Tea Estate. As a result, tea not only features in the new food menu (in the form of an Earl Grey sorbet), but also in the cocktail list and in the range of 74 different teas served at Papaji’s.
Tea was very much a focal point when we were lucky enough to attend the relaunch party on November 11th. On arrival, we were treated to a fantastic champagne cocktail with Calvados and Darjeeling syrup, and the tea-themed drinks continued to flow throughout the night: a warm sake with Stones Ginger Wine and lemon and ginger sencha, a variation on a Long Island Iced Tea, and an amazing-looking gin cocktail with almond and citrus.
(Photo courtesy of Event Photography, Bristol)
The real highlight 
on the night, though, was the food. Andy has hired El Bulli-trained Juan Garzon to head up the kitchen, with the aim of attracting a more foodie crowd to Papaji’s. Ingredients are locally and ethically sourced, and offer diners modern European cuisine with an Eastern twist, evidenced in such dishes as Cornish mussels with a tomato and curry leaf broth, and Tamarind glazed pork belly, shredded cabbage and masala sautéed Jerusalem artichoke.
Those attending on the Thursday were lucky enough to sample items from the new-look menus, including a pan-fried seared Cornish scallop with black pudding, West Country whiting and prawn fishcakes, and spiced aubergine and couscous parcels. When I go back for a full meal at Papajis, I’ll definitely be ordering the starter of sandalwood breast of chicken with cucumber yoghurt and chutney: this was without a doubt my stand-out dish of the night!
For full details of menus, opening times and more, head to the Papaji’s website, or join their Facebook fan page to keep up-to-date with what’s happening.
Even better…if you head to Vouchercloud, you can get hold of a voucher that gives you 20% off your total food bill at Papaji’s – what better excuse to head over there and check out the new look? Click here for more information…
Papaji’s Bar, Kitchen & Teasmiths
Website: http://www.papajis.co.uk
Address: 109, Whiteladies Road, Clifton BS8 2PB
Telephone: 0117 9466144
For more photos of the relaunch, head to Event Photography, Bristol