I stumbled across The Brigstow on Clare Street in central Bristol while I was out looking for a vegan feed the day before VegFest. I’d arrived from London at 2pm and was in the mood for a late lunch. It looks like an ordinary pub from the outside, but once you cross the threshold it is an altogether more bohemian and therefore interesting establishment.

A glance around the place with its table numbers felt-tipped onto wooden spoons and it’s spray painted, artistically pleasing walls (perhaps inspired by, but certainly more colourful than, one of Bristol’s favourite sons, Banksy) made me feel far more at home than I would be in any gaping, soulless gastro pub. And let me tell you, Bristol has its fair share of those…

I was greeted by an incredibly chipper bloke behind the bar who was very helpful. Despite its mostly meaty menu of burgers and sliders (am I the only one who finds the word ‘slider’ less than appetising? Just me then…) there were a couple of vegan options. Once I’d placed my order and was cosy at my rickety table, the staff were attentive but not overly so. The chef even poked his head out of the kitchen and asked if I’d prefer hummus to their normal mayonnaise, to which I enthusiastically nodded my ascent.

I chose the falafel burger and fries, which, in a manner I fear would disgust the plate society, or whatever they call themselves, was served on a plank of wood. The chips were in a poke, as Scots of the past would say, and the whole thing was totally yummy. Instead of coleslaw they’d made up some onion salsa kind of stuff (I’m afraid I’ve forgotten exactly what it was called) but it was a triumph.

All in all a very pleasant experience and a positive note on which to start my culinary experience of Bristol.