It's difficult to pigeon-hole Goldbrick House as it pitches itself not only as a restaurant, but also a bar, a cafe and a Champagne and cocktail bar. It also has a terrace and private rooms for wedding hire.

However, this relative Bristol newcomer sets itself apart from Park Street’s many student haunts with its upmarket feel and superb food and drink menus.

The Venue
Goldbrick House is an absolute labyrinth of a location with a plethora of different rooms and staircases joining them. However, once you're settled, admire the informal elegance of the downstairs cafe/bar.

On the wall of the cocktail bar there's a painting of antlers and leopard skin and there's also wonderfully high ceilings as well as a simple, sophisticated restaurant which has a 20-foot wall covered with plastic flowers. They also have a purpose-built terrace which is opened up during the warmer months.

The People
Those looking for a slice of luxury or in need of a special treat would do well to frequent Goldbrick House. By day the downstairs cafe plays host to those in search of a laidback place to leaf through the papers, while by night the upstairs bars are full of well-dressed professionals in search of a touch of class and elegance with their hard-earned cocktail.

The staff are attentive and friendly and always able to recommend the best that their menus have to offer, be it food, wine or cocktails.

The Food
The cafe/bar offers great brunches as well as sandwiches and salads, all around the £6 mark. Top of the menu has to be the Goldbrick Breakfast which includes Gloucester old spot sausage and streaky bacon – the fine flavours show that the best of ingredients have been used.

Wonderfully, Goldbrick also caters for children with its kids menu featuring a tomato and mozzarella risotto among others, although the staff are happy to provide any dish in a children’s portion.

Upstairs, in the restaurant, there is a variety of menus from which to choose, depending on the time of day. The set lunch special is served between noon and 3pm and will set you back £9 for one course, £13.50 for two and £18 for the full three courses.

For some reason the Saturday and Sunday brunch menus have the weather forecast printed at the top, followed by a tempting range of meat, fish and vegetarian dishes for around £14.

The piece de resistance, however, is the restaurant dinner menu. The beef Wellington (£25.95) is not to be missed, although it leaves little room for the ridiculously sinful chocolate, almond and orange torte (£5.50).

The Drink
The comprehensive wine list is arranged by style, with prices ranging from £14.50 a bottle. If it’s Champagne you’re after, expect to pay a mere £6.50 for a glass of Jean Moutardier Carte d’Or or a whopping £1,100 for a bottle of 1966 Dom Perignon Oenotheque.

Any one of the 20 sumptuous cocktails will set you back £7 to £9 and if you don’t see your favourite on the menu, the bar staff are happy to whip one up for you, as long as they have the ingredients.

Bottles of beer are priced around £4 and there is a guest beer on tap. Goldbrick also provide every spirit from Bombay Sapphire gin to Baron de Sigognac armagnac and offer a free round of mixers when bought by the bottle.

The Last Word
It may seem to offer an overwhelming array of food, drink and space, but Goldbrick House is surprisingly laidback and friendly, given its air of exclusivity. It is fast becoming one of the gems in Bristol’s culinary crown, especially if you are willing to pay above average prices to sample above average food and drink.

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