It can be an incredibly divisive combination, but I think I may have found a dish that would convert even the most ardent ham & pineapple hater 🍍

📍BANK, 107 Wells Rd, Totterdown, Bristol BS4 2BS

But there was no pizza in sight and this was no ordinary ’ham’. This was the ‘Fried Pork Rillettes’ small plate from BANK. Tender, juicy, salty (probably local – it’s part of their ethos) pork, encased in a crispy deep fried shell and perfectly complemented with a combination of tarragon aioli, black garlic (heaven!!) and (you guessed it), charred pineapple.

Every mouthful was a party in my mouth and I think it set off a fair amount of serotonin too judging by the joyfulness I’m having recalling the flavours and the fact my saliva glands appear to be springing into action as I type…

But while that may have been the star of the show for me there was a pretty stellar supporting cast too. The full line up:

🐷 Fried Pork Rillettes, tarragon aioli, black garlic, & charred pineapple

🍅 Roast San Marzano Tomatoes with whipped tofu, peach & basil

🧅 Grilled Tropea Onion with smoked garlic soubise, hazelnut butter & Parmesan

🐠 Devonshire Blue Fin Tuna Tataki, pickled watermelon + cucumber, kalamata caramel & sesame

🐄 Kalimotxo Ox Cheek with miso white beans, mole caramel, pedro raisin

🍫 Chocolate Tahini Delice with pickled cherry purée, dukkah praline, whipped tahini

🍯 Burnt Honey Panna Cotta with peach tea jelly, oats and raspberries

Recently named by The Good Food Guide as one of Britain’s 100 Best Local Restaurants, I can be a ‘hype sceptic’ (I’m often disappointed!) but I’m fully fledged fan after my visit.

An independent neighbourhood restaurant, the menu features a selection of ‘small plates’ and ‘large plates’ cooked over live fire and designed to be shared. We opted for four small plates and one large, which left us room for a dessert each (although that was possibly greedy – I probably could have shared but I’m not a panna cotta fan!) Sometimes with sharing plates there can be a ‘dud’ (kind of like when you used to buy a CD – remember those days 😅 – and there are was always a rubbish song?) but every single dish was successful on its own merit. The San Marzano arrived first and they were the perfect introduction – I’m not usually a tofu fan but on this occasion I was scraping the plate.

The tataki I was nervous about (it’s essentially raw) but having seen it was from the only tuna caught in the UK this year I wanted to give it a go and it won me over (once I opened my eyes 😆).

The onions were always going to be a winner (garlic & Parmesan, ding ding!) but the texture of the onions was delightful and that hazelnut butter was the most glorious surprise – I mean I knew I was having it (I did read the menu!) – I just didn’t expect to feel so enthused about it.

Then Ox Cheek to finish was like a warm hug, giving me serious autumn vibes (which I’m not sure I’m ready for, but these ones were welcome).

The puddings – well, I said it already, I don’t like panna cotta (sorry people!) I tried it and can confirm I still don’t like it 😅 nor do I like jelly very much, but the oats and raspberries were lovely 😂 My delice however was a delight, I didn’t even realise until I came home it was the vegan option! It was rich and chocolatey and the tahini was a welcome addition (I’d been dubious reading the menu) adding nutty overtones, although there was a little too much of it perhaps for my liking.

It wasn’t just the food that made our visit though. I really liked the restaurant itself – light and airy, beautiful crockery, great wine selection, relaxed and friendly service (we were asked whether we wanted our glasses filled or were happy to it ourselves etc). I’m also a big fan of the fact they do a lunch and early evening deal (regular readers will know I love a bargain): 2 courses for £20 or 3 courses for £24 at lunch or between 5pm and 6pm.

The important question though, is which team are you on? Would you be willing to give that fried pork rillette a go or would you call it an abomination? I think it’s pretty clear which side of the fence I sit on!

This meal was received on a complimentary basis but is written entirely of my own volition and hasn’t been requested or approved by the restaurant. I just loved it so much I wanted to pop it on my website (you’ll notice plenty on my Instagram that don’t make the jump 😉) If you made it this far, then thank you so much for reading.

Lizzie xxx