B Block team opens Keynsham bistro with Josh Eggleton

Also located within the Somerset town’s Chocolate Quarter development, Somer Dining is run by St Monica Trust head chef Gareth Cartledge (pictured) and food development manager Adrian Kirikmaa.

Eggleton – who runs the Michelin-starred Pony & Trap in nearby Chew Magna – had helped the pair create a “classic and seasonal” modern British menu.

The highly-rated chef has had already had some involvement with the St Monica Trust, having recently partnered with Kirikmaa to launch The School of Food, a training initiative to combat the skills shortage in the South West. ​​​

Dishes at the lunchtimes-only venue include whitebait with garlic aioli; homemade pies; fish and chips; and ploughman’s lunch.

Somer Dining will also offer afternoon tea Monday to Saturday and roast dinners on Sunday lunchtimes.

“With Somer we wanted to create a very modern British dining experience, bringing the kinds of food you find at some of Bristol’s best gastropubs to The Chocolate Quarter."

“We’re really happy to have had Josh on board with this project. He’s consulted on menu design, presentation and worked closely with the team on how to deliver this dining experience," says Kirikmaa. 

B Block launched in 2017 and has played a key role in attracting visitors to the £60 million redevelopment of the former Frys chocolate factory site by St Monica Trust.

Eggleton runs a number of other restaurants in Bristol and the surrounding area including the two-strong Salt & Malt​​​ and vegetable-centric restaurant Root​​​. He's also working with Guy Newell, former managing director of Butcombe Brewery, to open a strong of Bristol gastropubs.