Cloisters

The occasion was a family lunch event to celebrate a significant birthday. It was attended by around 30 people that everyone was looking forward to. Sadly, it was a very underwhelming experience food and drink wise. And the service was patchy at best. I wasn't expecting Michelin star but I did expect a napkin when being served hot and crumbly canapes. And didn't expect guests to have to serve themselves when the waiters seemed to give up on the canapes. I also expect serving staff to know which side to deliver a plate from (rather than just learning over people across a table). The meat which I think was beef was dry and stringy and not at all pleasant. The dessert was obviously bought in rather than being freshly prepared. The kids meal was a burger which actually looked quite nice but was served with a wooden skewer through it. A skewer with a sharp point that two little boys thought it fund to have a sword fight with until it was pointed out to their alarmed parents that it might not be a good idea. To cap it all, the tea and coffee was served in mugs but no milk or teaspoons were provided. When we asked for teaspoons, we were brought a cup full of wooden stirrers of the sort you might get in a takeaway coffee shop. Very strange! Avoid!

Most of what we ate was very good: an excellent guinea fowl and lovely chocolate mouse for example. Our starters were also very good. The amuse bouche of pea ‘panda cotta’ was bland though and the cheese selection not the best. There is some decent wine with OK markups but a lack of care in serving (broken cork and no mention of vintages). Staff are pleasant if a little clueless at times (an exception was Elina who was outstanding)

What an experience. I love this hotel and the restaurant was 5 star. Absolutely delicious, fine dining experience and personable at the same time. Can’t wait to come back. Just check out the photos! Thanks guys see you again. James Rosie

The booking for the Sunday evening meal for 2 was made via e-mail conversations, direct with the hotel, and proved to be quick, easy and efficient. It is suggested that no matter when you are going that a reservation is made in advance to ensure you get a table. The restaurant is situated within Bailbrook House Hotel on the outskirts of Bath and has free parking for those who are driving. The restaurant is situated in the basement of the House and is where the heritage of the historic mansion really comes into its own. It has a cosy ambience with original vaulted archways made from traditional Bath stone adding to the intimate feel, plus plenty of tables overlooking a secluded woodland scene and countryside beyond. On arrival we were greeted, shown to our table and, have to say, the service provided throughout was very attentive, well-informed and quite polite. The evening menu has a diverse mix of seasonal dishes, classic flavours and firm favourites, there being something to suit almost all. The wine menu was equally diverse, though the mark up may put a drinker of fine wine off. All dishes are made from scratch, featuring, where possible, seasonal and local ingredients cooked fresh to order. Well worth the wait as they were good quality, well presented to a high standard (compliments to the chef on this). Portions are slightly on the small side, but each dish was a creation with pleasant groupings of textures and tastes. Items of note from our chosen dishes included the starter of ‘Scottish salmon’ and the main of ‘Hampshire venison’. I have no hesitation in recommending this restaurant and would use it again, however this is ‘Fine Dining’ that comes with a price tag to note for the wines!

We visited Cloisters restaurant as part of our Mum’s 85th Birthday celebrations. At the time of booking staff were very helpful and attentive to our needs, agreeing to find us a quiet part of the restaurant and offering to present Mum with a “Happy Birthday” plate as part of our tasting menu. The restaurant is in the beautiful vaulted cloisters of the Bailbrook House Hotel, a gorgeous setting. Stacy, our host, was helpful and welcoming, ensuring that we felt thoroughly looked after all evening. Every one of the courses in the tasting menu was excellent. The menu gave exactly the right level of description for each dish, the gaps between courses were perfectly pitched and the service was immaculate. Each dish was a little work of art with delicious and sometimes unexpected combinations of of textures and flavours. A restaurant of this calibre deserves to be full at every service and if we lived locally it would be our go-to for special occasions. Very very highly recommended.