My Bristol Favourites: Phil Castang

Phil Castang is director of creative learning and engagement at the Colston Hall. On Saturday, March 16 between midday and 6pm, the Colston Hall is hosting a Discovery Day featuring talks, exhibitions and fun activities. For more information, visit www.colstonhall.org/shows/discovery-day.

Here are Phil’s top-five Bristol favourites:

Bowl of Plenty

“I am at an age where I really don’t want to put anymore crap in my body. Every meal counts. This makes me seem really fussy but actually it’s about simplicity and taste. Bowl of Plenty has recently opened in the foyer of Colston Hall and it has transformed my lunchtime. The food is about quality seasonal ingredients, lentils and pulses and fresh baked breads and cakes. I also have a penchant for focaccia and they make a very authentic one. The attitude to the food and service is exactly what I’m looking for and it’s just downstairs from the office. Result!”

Bristol Sweet Mart

“I grew-up surrounded by amazing curry cooks. Sunday lunch always came from the pages of a Madhur Jaffrey book. In my early twenties I managed an Indian takeaway so curry is central to my diet and ingrained in my food psyche. Bristol Sweet Mart on St Mark’s Road in Easton is a vital destination for ingredients like fresh curry leaves and for tasty sweets and snacks like chaat and samosas. There’s also good quality and reasonably priced takeaway at the counter. I go there to stock up. The rule is, if I can make it better at home, I won’t eat there but there’s plenty to enjoy at Sweet Mart.”

The Park

“The first time I visited The Park I was completely blown away. The centre on Daventry Road in Knowle is a community oasis with an amazing mix of social enterprises providing support and opportunities for absolutely everyone. In addition to the social enterprises, the facilities are exceptional. There’s an organic community garden and farm, a gym, a cafe and a sports hall. There are courses in animal care, construction, childcare and life skills. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of a good community centre and this one is exceptional. The Park has a special feel about it and it’s hard to imagine life in Knowle without it. If the zombie apocalypse actually happens I’m heading for The Park. With all those facilities and resources, it’s the best chance for survival.”

Bristol Old Vic

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bug_H2kHb0U/

“The new front of house space at Bristol Old Vic is spectacular and the heritage interpretation a real example of what can be achieved with a strong artistic vision. It’s exciting to see how the programme is becoming more representative of Bristol’s diversity. When I worked in Newham, the Theatre Royal Stratford East had a really interesting programme where the creative case for diversity was made on stage and reflected in the audience. It’s great to see this happening at the Old Vic. The food is pretty awesome too.”

Harbourside

“When my second son was born in 2007, the harbourside became our favorite family walk and remains a special place full of great memories. There are so many places of cultural importance situated along the harbour; I don’t know how many hours we spent in the new M Shed and Watershed. Bristol’s story is intrinsically linked with the harbour and with all the cultural spaces and flow of the rivers and canals, the story feels very much part of a living history. While I love this walk, I can’t help feeling that there needs to be a something of significant scale memorialising victims of slavery and acknowledging Bristol’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. It’s really the missing piece of the city and its story.”