197 Gloucester Road,
Bishopston,
BRISTOL,
BS7 8BG
(0117) 9248639
The ViewBristol Review
The Robin Hoods Retreat is a cosy pub with fine dining to boot. Yes, it's a gastropub, but it's a quality gastropub with an ever changing menu stuffed full of locally sourced seasonal food, and eight ale pumps that change just as regularly.
The Venue
The Robin Hoods Retreat is located towards the top of Gloucester Road in Bishopston, it's on the right as you go up the hill. Parking in the area is relatively easy and there are plenty of bus routes nearby.
The Robin Hoods Retreat is modern but it doesn't look like a charmless chain-pub. Low lighting, dark red walls and gleaming ale pumps all scream cosy pub. However, all the gastropub hallmarks - polished wine glasses, bright white plates and carefully arranged seating - are present.
At the back there is a patio area with decking and this gets very busy as it catches the sun in the late afternoon. Unfortunately, due to restrictions in their licence, it's limited to a maximum of 40 people even though there's enough room for 100. At least you don't have to fight for the parasols!
The People
Staff are friendly and patient, and knowledgeable about the menu. The pub is relaxing, and it's a comfortable spot for a pint and a read of the paper. And although it's rustic and charming it still looks very clean.
On weekday evenings it attracts a mix of age groups, mostly from the after-work office crew, and it gets comfortably busy. Come the weekend it gets much busier but the prices tend to keep away the students. This is an altogether more classy affair.
The Food
The food at the Robin Hoods Retreat is well made and presented but, if you can't get over that 'it's a pub therefore it must be cheap' attitude, the prices may come as a bit of shock.
Starters go from £4.50 to £8.50 and the main courses go from £12 right up to £18 for a sirloin steak. Desserts are £6 so, if you're going for a meal for two and you want the whole shebang, you'll be looking at about £50, without wine.
That said, this isn't your average pub-grub, and you won't find any dark orange scampi, pale-yellow chips and wet peas here.
Scallops and lamb sweetbreads are some of the delicate delights on the starters menu, and the main meals are designed to give your palette a workout. Dishes include Wooten Basset lamb with garlic puree, garlic confit and crisps, and brisket braised in stout with roasted beetroot. Dishes change almost daily and it's a seasonal menu.
Desserts are traditional, with old favourites like crumble, treacle tart and creme brulee. Although the prices are steep you can treat yourself to a meal here without blowing next week's grocery budget. They run deals from Monday to Friday when, between 6pm and 7.30pm, you can have two courses for £14.50, although the deal is limited to selected dishes.
The Drink
The pub has a diverse selection of world wines including Chilean Sauvignon Blanc, Old Well Shiraz from Australia and El Talud Rioja Rosado from Spain. There is a great selection of draught lagers and beers such as Red Stripe, Leffe Blonde and Guinness.
There's also an interesting selection of ales and it's impossible to get bored if you decide to make this your regular. They have eight hand-pulls and these change regularly. Although they're always from the same breweries you'll find seasonal brews and specials on offer throughout the year.
They also have an interesting range of soft drinks including Fentemans lemonade, ginger ale and more.
The Last Word
This gastropub is well worth a visit if you like a relaxed atmosphere and excellent food but make sure you can afford the prices before booking a meal.
Robin Hoods Retreat has been reviewed by 6 users