Howard's Restaurant, Bristol

We have been to Howards several times over the years as we knew it was a quality restaurant. However our last visit we were very dissapointed. we were the only people upstairs.

The food was lovely, a really good choice on the set menu (£9.95 for 2 courses) and (£12.95 for 3) which was very reasonable, lots of veg to accompany. Service was not rushed and was very pleasant, wine was lovely and NOT overpriced. Even the a la carte menu was reasonably priced. The restaurant was not too busy but there were half a dozen tables booked, some ordering champagne (also very reasonably priced). Food was cooked to perfection. There were 4 of us and we eat out a lot, stands up to Goldbrick House and Hotel du Vin any day.

Howards used to be one of my favourites but after three consecutive poor experiences we have finally decided never again! To be brutual, the food just isn't that good - even when it's cooked well - to justify prices of £22 for main courses. The Lockside and Demi Leune around the corners now offer far better value.

And, to be the tin hat on it, when we commented on the slow service (to a really pleasant waiter who was clearly embarrassed) we were told that the chef was focused on a private party for the owner's daughter! That kind of attitude paying customers can do without.

Dined with another couple at Howard's restaurant in Bristol on the Telegraph offer. Excellent value for money, sufficient choice of starters and main course, and contrary to some opinions, you do get extras i.e. bread and veg. The fixed menu is good value outside the offer, and a la carte won't break the bank. The chocolate medley for pud was delicious!

I disagree entirely with hungryboy's review - we went on the same deal, and we found it to be exceedingly good value for money. Two courses for ten pounds is highly unlikely to come with extras as well, especially as a fillet of salmon alone probably costs more than half that! And as for having an empty glass - well, the deal comes with only a 125ml glass of FREE wine!

I have to say that I really enjoyed dining at Howard's Restaurant in Bristol, and I am planning to go more often!!

This was the first time I had eaten at Howards restaurant in Bristol. It was a good night, but the only real negative was it was a bit pricey.

We celebrated my partner's birthday last night at Howards. My Partner's family had been collecting the tokens from the Daily Telegraph. It took twenty minutes to be offered a drink and a further 30 minutes before our orders were taken. I ordered the onion soup to start which was served without any bread which was rather disappointing. My main course of salmon fillet arrived and was accompanied by a lettuce garnish approximately the size of a postage stamp, and nothing else. When I asked the waitress if this meal was served with any carbohydrates at all (as one would expect from any eating establishment, being served the basic food groups, to consider oneself having eaten a 'meal'), I was informed that because we had ordered from the Telegraph special, the dish was not served with any carbohydrate at all - just a small piece of salmon and an even smaller garnish. This made us wonder if the Daily Telegraph were aware that they were having their logo used on the menus. If a waiter notices a customer ordering himself a meal that does not consist of all the basic food groups one would imagine he would point that fact out and ask if the customer would like to order some accompanying vegetables at an extra cost. This may have saved the day, alas we had to simply look forward to getting home and having a sandwich to ease our still present hunger. My salmon took about 3 minutes to eat and I waited for my partner and her family to finish their 'meals' (which were of no noticable quality either), with an empty glass in front of me. Once the meals were finished we all had empty glasses in front of us for a further half an hour before we decided enough was enough and we asked for the bill. In short - Do not go here unless you are not hungry at all.

We chose to celebrate our anniversary at Howard's Restaurant last Saturday night. Our table upstairs, was not quite ready upon arrival. Order taken, starter delivered some 25 minutes later. We had almost finished starter, to be informed that one of our main courses wasn't available after all, and what would we like instead? An hour later we received our revised main course. Our food was well presented although my main course was under-cooked. No staff upstairs to return food to, and we couldn't be bothered to stay for dessert, so we decided to leave, paying our bill but complaining to the manager prior to departure. We were not alone in our complaints that evening.

Howard's has received - from 1997 to 2004 - the AA Rosette Award, but not since 2005. Wonder why? Management has indeed changed hands, to the detriment of customer service.

I would not recommend this restaurant but may return in a few months to see if there have been any improvements.

I have read the review before this on and think that they must have gone to a different restaurant. Our night was a very memorable one - my mothers 80th birthday - an I have to say the Howard's Restaurant staff could not have been more friendly and the food was cooked to prefection.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was great - no doubt why it's so hard to secure a booking for a Saturday night - and everyone there was in fine spirits, even the couples dining alone!

Well done Howard's keep up the good work.

Having just read the other review I had to write my own in disagreement...

My husband and I visited Howards about a year ago after a recommendation from a work colleague. It was my Husbands birthday but we had just attended his best friends funeral that day. All things considered we managed to have a nice evening. The food was so amazing that it will stick in my mind as the best meal we've ever had on what we consider to be one of the worst days of ours lifes.

It cost £75 which included 2 bottles of wine. I think this is more than reasonable for a decent meal in good surroundings.