AngelBerry, Broad Quay: Review

After realising that a frozen yoghurt place had opened very close to both home and work, it was inevitable that I’d head over there in the first week. In fact…not just the first week…but the second day.

The Broad Quay branch of the AngelBerry “frozen yoghurt factory”, on the site of the old Coffee Beach, is the second premises for young owners Ryan and James, who opened their first branch in Hartcliffe in December 2011.

It’s a bright, airy venue, with a few tables outside, vividly coloured seating inside, and a self-service system for the yoghurt itself.

Cheerful Berries (AngelBerry employees) greet you on arrival and talk you through the system if you’ve not visited before. Head over to the back of the store, choose the size of the tub you want, and fill it with any combination of ten varieties of frozen yoghurt (one or two of the flavours will change every week).

Frozen yoghurt chosen, take your tub over to the counter, where you can choose from a range of 35 different toppings…starting with the more unhealthy…

…and moving on to fruit and the intriguingly named “pobbles” – balls of fruit juice encased in an all natural casing made from seaweed.

I went for the slightly bizarre combination of both Cherry and Jaffa Cake flavoured yoghurts, with toppings of fudge, honeycomb pieces and strawberry “pobbles”. Very much like a kid in a sweet shop, I have to admit – I was surprisingly restrained…especially seeing some of the massive tubs of yoghurt that other people had gone for!

You then take your tub to the counter, where it is weighed and a cost calculated based on pricing of £1.50 per 100g.

My verdict? Very tasty indeed. It’s hard to believe that something that tastes so good is fat free (well, the toppings aren’t, obviously…) and I loved the Mr Whippy-style consistency of the yoghurt.

All of the yoghurt varieties, explains co-owner Ryan, are created in Italy and shipped over to the UK. Some varieties, such as the Jaffa Cake, don’t actually exist as individual flavours – these are created in Bristol by combining existing varieties (in this case, sponge cake, chocolate and orange). The yoghurt itself is 100% gluten free and fat free, and contains only natural flavours. A sign up at AngelBerry proclaims that the frozen yoghurt has only around 1/3 of the calories that you’ll find in ice cream – says Ryan, around 80 calories per 100g.

AngelBerry also serves hot drinks, priced between £1 and £1.50, and if you fancy a smoothie, just head to the counter, tell them which yoghurt variety you’d like it made with (and which toppings), and they’ll make one up for you – with either juice or milk – for the sum of £3.

I’m also looking forward to the fact that the yoghurt will soon be available to take away…they’re just waiting for a delivery of lids for the tubs, after which you’ll be able to fill up a container to take home and keep in your freezer.

It’s a great concept, and in a fantastic location – I’m sure it’ll be a massive hit with both the Bristol and tourist crowds, and it’s good to see something new and different opening up in the city centre.

Find AngelBerry – Broad Quay on the Bristol Bites Directory…

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