Sun, Rum and Tagine

The sun has finally come out to play and it looks as though it's threatening to stay for awhile. My new found freedom took me to Durham to see my cousin for a few days last weekend and on my return I was met with glorious sunshine and a totally free timetable. Making the most of this rare combination, Elly and I padded down to St Nicholas Market to sample some street food and absorb the rays.

Found in the winding cobbled streets just off Corn Street in The Exchange, St Nicholas Market is a haven for foodies and knick-knack lovers. There are shops selling everything from old vinyls to knitted bunting. However it was the sweet aroma of freshly cooked food which drew us down here on this beautiful day. Nestled underneath the panelled roof of the Glass Arcade is an edible wonderland. On each side pop up cafes and stalls line the way. Look to your left and a mouthwatering array of thoroughly British pies stare up at you from their hot, buttery, meat-filled pastry cases; look to your right and feast your eyes (sorry) on fresh fruit smoothies and milkshakes. As you stroll further along you meet Jamaican jerk chicken and deep fried falafel amongst other foods from all over the globe, cooked the way they should be by people who know their stuff. The Glass Arcade is also sprinkled with trinket stalls where Elly and I took a quick break to smell every kind of incense on offer (ever led by our noses).

We eventually settled down in an authentic little Moroccan stall with low, beautifully tiled tables, cushioned stools, painted bowls and intricately woven rugs adorning the doors and walls. The menu was a dream of lamb, couscous, coriander and exotic spices. Originally deciding on the lamb meatballs, our minds were quickly changed after a bowl of the daily special, lamb tagine, was whisked past us. Our hungry eyes and ears followed it to a table of Arabic men chatting amicably with the chef. After enquiring what this glorious looking creation was and them kindly offering us a taste from their own bowl, we set up camp on one of the mosaic tables and basked in the low buzz and breezy air of the market. The tagine was with us in a few minutes and lived up to all expectations. Slow-cooked lamb melted off the bone into a bed of stewed tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, peas, prunes, spices and lemon slivers. Bulked up with a side of sultana couscous, we dived into our own little bowl of Morocco, conveniently situated in the heart of Bristol.

Having lapped up every last morsel, we decided that late afternoon sun meant one thing: cocktails. Waving goodbye to the friendly food-sharing locals we decided to continue satisfying our exotic taste buds and headed down to Turtle Bay, a Caribbean restaurant near the water front. Here we met possibly the nicest waitress in the world, who was chirpy and chatty despite being stuck inside working on one of the nicest days we've seen this year. Total babe and made amazing cocktails. Despite all the tables being taken outside, Elly and I managed to nab two rogue chairs and stretched out in the sun, clutching our Strawberry Daiquiris like true faux-holidayers. Who cares if the sound of lapping waves was replaced by rumbling traffic, it's the dedication that counts. In classic cocktail fashion, one drink rapidly turned into two. Our next may have been one of the tastiest cocktails I've ever had. I know, big claim. The Raspberry Reggae, with Cockspur gold rum, raspberries & fresh lime, topped with club soda, may sound fairly humble but got the balance of sweet, sour and fresh utterly spot on. Maybe the sun and characteristically chilled Caribbean vibe (and second-cocktail tipsiness) were going to my head, but there was nothing more perfectly suited to that afternoon lounging in the sun. I would recommend trying this place out regardless of the weather; the staff, decor, music and food will offer you a little slice of sunshine any day of the year.

We headed back to Redland with full stomachs and freckles on our noses. We may not be able to rely on the sun to always be there to put us in that summertime good mood, but at least Bristol's global cuisine scene is here for the foreseeable future to offer us that supportive hand and, when needed, an extra cocktail.

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