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The Firehouse Rotisseries in Bristol and Bath bring a distinct and unique flavour to the dining
scene with a real feel of California and its regional cooking. Not faux or homogenised, you can
really buy into what is happening in L.A and the South West Coast. When Richard Fenton was
working as a private chef out in L.A., he was exposed to the very different way that restaurants
were perceived by the public, different that is to what he knew in Britain. In California, a certain
level of service and overall quality was a minimum expectation for any restaurant regardless of
cost. But this came with a relaxed attitude instead of the stuffiness often found in England.
Although the behind the scenes running of a restaurant was still a tough job with exacting
standards, this was never allowed to filter through to the dining room, the customers experience
was paramount, give them a really good atmosphere, slick service and top quality food.

When he met Katie, now his wife, the idea of bringing this style of eating back to the UK was an attractive one, and in 1994 The Firehouse Rotisserie was born in an old Wool Traders on a back
street in Bath. This classically Georgian house lent itself well to the style of restaurant they were
trying to create, a slice of Santa Fe. Importing most of the furnishings and style from California
they converted the building into a two floor restaurant with a unique feel. Downstairs all the
original features, fireplaces and wooden floors, were sensitively restored and then complemented
with cast iron chandeliers, wooden tables, earthy tones, church candles, ristras and natural fibres which all give a rustic touch. Here up to 42 diners can eat and upstairs there is room for a further
20 which can alsobe reserved for Private Dining.

An open kitchen dominates the rear of the restaurant in Bath where a bank of Rotisserie grills and
the two Moretti Forni real brick fired ovens are the centrepiece. Here the chefs are busy creating
some innovative dishes bursting with flavour and it’s the food here that is most different, taking Californian cuisine and adding a smattering of Pacific Rim and other influence to the regularly
changing specials. This is the kind of dining experience that is taking Hollywood by storm at the
moment with similarly styled restaurants like Spago currently the darlings of Beverley Hills. Bristol
and Bath don’t know how lucky they are!

The main menu brings all the classics. Firehouse Caesar Salad with their succulent Rotisserie
Chicken (£7.95), other sharers and starters and quick lunch options include Crayfish & Rocket
Salad with Lemon Tarragon Dresssing & Parmesan Herb Toasts (£6.95). Or try one of their
authentic gourme tbrick fired pizzas with creative toppings such as Spicy Baja Chicken with
Avocado, Salsa Fresca, Coriander & Sour Cream (£10.95). From The Rotisserie and Grill come
the signature free range chickens. These have all had the benefit of being basted with marinades
or rubbed with spices before being slowly cooked to juicy perfection. Try the Half Chicken with
Herbes de Provence and Lemon, crispy skin yet lovely and moist served with lemon, Dijon, tarragon
Aioli and Chard and Rocket salad (£10.95) with an optional Spicy Pommes Frites peppered with a
unique mix of Mexican spices called ‘Achiote’ (£2.25) or the wonderfully creamy and subtle Garlic
Mash (£2.25). The Achiote seasoning is also used on the delicious Slow Roasted New Season
Lamb served with Sweet Potato, Red Onion and Ancho Cabernet Gravy (£12.95). There is plenty
of scope for Vegetarians and kids. Specials change regularly and offer the likes of Bourbon BBQ
Loin of Pork with Roasted Red Onions, Peppers & Courgettes (£12.95) or Trio of Lamb Cutlets with
Herb Roasted Vegetables & Rosemary Gremolata (£10.50).

There’s an evil selection of desserts like Fresh Fig and Kiwi Frangipan Tart with Crème Fraiche
(£4.95), Fruits of the Forest Brulee (£3.95) or an impressive cheese board (£5.50), all offered with Muscat de Beaune de Venise by the glass (£3.50) or half bottle (£12.50). The rest of the wine list
has been thought through and matches the food with hot country wines from dynamic producers,
with a choice of six whites and four reds by the glass from £3.25, carafe from £7.95 and bottle
from £12.50, scaling in height to the fabulous Phantom 2000 an intense blend of old vine Zinfandel,
Petite Syrah and Mouvedre from California (£23.50).

The Bristol operation is on a larger scale and totally impressive, smack bang in the middle of the re-generated Harbourside and next to the @Bristol initiative and the Imax Cinema. The hacienda-style building used to be the old Lead Works. Again it has been restored retaining its original features
which include a set of superb large arched windows that overlook Anchor Square and the al
fresco area, a suntrap with parasols and heaters for up to 80 people. The cavernous building is decorated to
resemble a rustic ranch style room, open plan with high ceilings providing the acoustics for an
electric atmosphere where up to 110 diners can enjoy the theatre of the open kitchen.

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