The former Pearl of Sri Lanka restaurant in Bristol’s Clifton Village is to be converted into an eaterie specialising in American Deep South cuisine by new owner Charley Bolding-Smith.
The business occupies the ground and lower ground floors of a mid-terraced period property in Regent Street, one of the city’s most popular areas among national restaurant operators.
Bolding-Smith – most recently the tenant of the village’s Victoria pub – says the 50-seat bar diner will provide a mix of Cajun, Creole and Louisiana dishes such as jambalaya, catfish and ‘real’ Texas chilli, all with a fine-dining twist.
The venue will offer a funky and informal ambience under the tag “Loud Food and Spicy Music”.
Head chef Danny Jordan is known locally for his stints at the city’s Berkeley Square hotel and the Rodney hotel where he scooped an AA rosette last year.
The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the 20-year lease (which started in December 1999) off an asking price of £55,000 on behalf of Yvonne Perera. Annual rent is currently £17,000.
By Angela Frewin