REVIEW: Family Sunday Lunch at The Architect

Sunday Lunch Heaven with a View!

Situated in an enviable position overlooking the beautiful Bath Abbey and Pulteney Bridge, Pub group Brunning and Price have recently taken over the ground floor of the grand and historic Grade II listed building of the old Empire hotel.

The Architect is named in honor of Bath City architect Major Charles Edward Davis, who designed the building in 1901. Steeped in history, the architecture of the roof shows the three classes of people, a castle on the corner for upper class, a house for the middle class and a cottage for the lower class.

The entrance and inside The Architect cleverly carries through elements of the grandeur of the building yet blends together to give a cosy, warmth and a homely feel. 

With brimming bookcases, opulent lighting, high ceilings, beautiful foliage, clusters of artwork, wooden flooring, rugs and varied seating areas, it allows for both intimate occasions as well as large social gatherings. 

The main dining room is stunning, rich, warm and inviting. Weather depending, there is also a beautiful terrace area overlooking Bath Abbey with blankets available for chilly days and a light glazed orangery. You are spoilt for choice on where to drink or dine. 

We were visiting as a family for Sunday lunch and the girls were delighted to find a large selection of board games to choose from. 

Starting off with our drinks, The Architect’s stunning bar offers an imposing selection of drinks to suit all possible tastes. A lovely wine selection, a good range of local craft beers and cask ales and cocktails and soft drinks. The girls opted for raspberry and Rose Lemonade and the adults a craft Cider and wine. 

The Sunday Menu has been carefully chosen to offer a varied selection of starters and nibbles including a delicious, tangy and moreish sweet potato and lime coconut soup, Bath soft cheese served with crisp bread and rhubarb, fresh smoked salmon served with cucumber salad, horseradish and melba toast, BBQ slider and Squid amongst other dishes. 

Mains of traditional Sunday Roasts selections of braised shoulder of lamb , roast sirloin of beef, roast loin of pork and for those who can't decide a fabulous mixed roast all served with duck fat roast potatoes, French beans, carrot puree, buttered greens and gravy with Sunday sides including pigs in blankets, cauliflower cheese, pork and apple stuffing and buttered vegetables for the heartier of appetites to traditional favourites, catering for all tastes. 

Such care and experience has clearly been taken in planning the menu and ingredients.

We opted for the mixed roast and braised shoulder of lamb. Both plates were very generous in their portions, the meat was tender and succulent. We also had rich gravy and vegetables cooked to perfection, large fluffy Yorkshire puddings, scrumptious sides of cauliflower cheese and pigs in blankets. Sunday Lunch Heaven!

The children's menu is extremely reasonably priced and offers mini roasts along with a selection of Children's favourite dishes and sides of halloumi fries, burgers, meatballs, chicken and cod goujons and creamy and generous Mac and Cheese to which the girls described as utterly yummy (verified by the rapidly emptied plates!)

The relaxed atmosphere and ambience of The Architect along with the fabulous food, giggles, board games were a great success allowing us to really relax and spend quality family time together. 

We moved to the terrace to enjoy some Autumn sun for coffee and although the adult's dessert selection was tempting and delicious, we simply could not fit them in. The girls however managed to their delight to make room for waffles with chocolate sauce, marshmallows and ice cream.

The staff could not be faulted and were attentive, helpful, pleasant and really made us feel at home, nothing was rushed.   

The Architect is very reasonably priced, and I would highly recommend a visit. 

The whole experience was utterly marvelous and I commend The Architect on all elements. 

Find out more about The Architect here!