New Head Chef of Bristol Old Vic's 1766 Bar & Kitchen introduced as new era begins
17 Aug 2018
Today, Bristol Old Vic introduced the Head Chef for its brand new 1766 Bar & Kitchen and announced a menu fit for the new era. 1766 Bar & Kitchen will be a new social hub for Bristol, serving up everything from morning coffee right through to evening pre-show dining with a menu inspired by the theatre itself. It will form part of the theatre’s multi-million pound redevelopment which will open its new front doors on Monday 24 September.
Introducing Coco The Chef Having worked in restaurants across Europe, five years ago Coco Barone stumbled upon and fell in love with Bristol. After time working at restaurants including Glassboat and Rosemarino, we’re thrilled to welcome Coco as our new Head Chef to 1766 Bar & Kitchen.
Coco’s Italian roots mean that she’s all about using quality, seasonal ingredients and preparing them simply to bring out their flavour. “In Italy, mealtimes are about bringing people together around the table to share the food and their day. I focus on the main ingredient in a dish, put it in the limelight and showcase its true flavours with an occasional playful twist.”
“I’m really excited to be working at Bristol Old Vic and opening a brand-new restaurant there. It’s very rare to get the opportunity to work in such an historic and creative environment with such a passionate team. We can’t wait to get into our kitchen and start cooking”.
Expect delicious breakfast options, served six days a week, including dishes such as waffles fresh of the press, smoked streaky bacon and maple syrup or the tasty vegetarian option of fried halloumi, smashed avocado and roasted vine tomato on chargrilled turmeric and chilli bread.
At lunchtime, you’ll be able to choose from our daily changing salad bar, tapas menu or our set Theatre Menu priced at £9.95 for one course, £13.95 for two courses or £17.95 for three.
Our Theatre Menu will also be available for pre-show dining which is on sale now.
In the evening, our 1766 Menu will offer a more extensive three course prix fixe including dishes such as Homewood Cheese Ewes curd, pickled beetroot, hazelnut crumble and orange to start and 28-day dry aged Sirloin of Hereford beef, beurré 1766, fries and baby gem to follow.
At Bristol Old Vic we will be taking our Sunday lunchtimes very seriously, with a choice of three roast meats all accompanied by roast duck fat, rosemary and garlic potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, seasonal veg and finger licking good gravy. A gluttonous dessert menu will finish it all off nicely and we will always have a vegan roast option available.
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SAMPLE THEATRE MENU – for information
STARTER
Cauliflower & smoked butter velouté, parsley pesto & cheddar rarebit (v)
Confit duck, chicken & red onion terrine, celeriac & apple remoulade, sourdough
Smoked salmon & horseradish mousse, beetroot & radish
Spiced charred broccoli, chilli, date, lemon & almond (vv)
MAIN
Crisp slow roast belly of pork, pomme purée, cavolo nero, apple & crackling
28-day dry-aged 170g sirloin of Hereford beef, beurre ‘1766’, fries & baby gem (supplement £4.00)
Smoked haddock pappardelle, parmesan, dill & grain mustard cream, soft poached egg
Goats cheese, red pepper & soft herb omelette, sauté potatoes & mixed leaves (v)
Thai chickpea, lentil & spinach cake, mangetout, carrot & sesame salad (vv)
PUDDING
Chocolate mousse, salted caramel & honeycomb
Blackberry & almond frangipane tart, crème fraiche
Coconut & vanilla riz au lait, mango (vv)
A selection of British cheeses, chutney & crackers (supplement £2.50
Bristol Old Vic is the longest continuously running theatre in the UK, and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2016. The historic playhouse aims to inspire audiences with its own original productions, both at home and on tour, whilst nurturing the next generation of artists, whether that be through their 350-strong Young Company, their many outreach and education projects or their trailblazing artist development programme, Bristol Ferment.
They use their funding to support experiment and innovation, to allow access to their programme for people who would not otherwise encounter it, or be able to afford it, and to keep their extraordinary heritage alive and animated.
On 24 Sep 2018, Bristol Old Vic completed its 2-year multi-million pound redevelopment project, which transformed its front of house space into a warm and welcoming public building for all of Bristol to enjoy, created a new studio theatre and opened up its unique theatrical heritage to the public for the first time.