Situated in the Quakers Friars quarter of the Cabot Circus development in the heart of Bristol, the Second Floor Restaurant and Bar occupies the top floor of the new Harvey Nichols store. Open for all day dining, from 10am to 11pm, from weekend brunch to post-shopping cocktails and dinner, the space also houses the famous Foodmarket and Wine Shop.
A striking modern interior, created by French architect and designer Christian Biecher focuses on the use of textures and takes inspiration from the Bristol music scene. In the Restaurant, soft and shimmery gold dominates – on the textured walls and luminous leather banquettes while rich, caramel brown leather chairs and white lacquered tables provide a contrast. By day, floor to ceiling windows bathe the room in light giving it a warm, lustrous glow and a great sense of calm and comfort. In the evening, the atmosphere is more glamorous.
It is a fantastic space to showcase the talents of Second Floor Restaurant’s Head Chef Louise McCrimmon. Having previously worked with the Harvey Nichols group in the Leeds restaurant, Louise is the perfect choice to launch the concept of destination in store dining in Bristol. McCrimmon’s style is based on classic techniques, pure flavours, great textures and indulgent ingredients. Louise enjoys working with new and seasonal produce and her frequently changing menus reflect this passion.
To start, choose from Poached organic salmon, pea shoot salad, herb emulsion; Golden Cross goats cheese, poached pear and hazelnut salad, Manuka honey dressing and Seared pigeon, beetroot purée, apple and celery salad, walnut dressing.
Main courses include Roast breast of free range chicken, cauliflower purée, velouté sauce, Oloroso and raisin reduction; Slow cooked shoulder of rare breed pork (Oxford Sandy Black), sweet potato rösti, Savoy cabbage, pickled apple and Whole grilled Brixham lemon sole, watercress butter, fennel and citrus salad.
Desserts include Rhubarb crème brûlée tart, toffee ice cream; Valrhona chocolate fondant, butternut ice cream and Lemon trio – lemon and pine nut parfait, lemon, pistachio and olive oil cake, lemon curd.
The wine list is equally impressive, with 750 carefully selected Old and New World bins. Furthermore, a selection of wines from the list is also available to buy from the Harvey Nichols Wine Shop.
The Second Floor Bar is a more intimate space. Clad in silver and with a glowing onyx long bar it is perfect for a post-shopping cocktail or an aperitif before dinner. Signature cocktails include ‘Double B’ Bellini (Absolut pear vodka, crushed pears and melon liqueur, stirred with Harvey Nichols Brut), Cabot Collins (Beefeater London gin, lemon and honey syrup shaken with St. Germain elderflower liqueur and crushed peach. Served long, topped with soda water) and Brimstone & Treacle (Crushed orange pieces poured with Havana Club especial rum & fig liqueur. Shaken with fresh cloudy apple juice, angostura and thick brown sugar syrup. Served short).