Two become one: Bristol's Wellbourne and Wallfish Bistro to join forces

Wallfish & Wellbourne Bistro will operate from Wellbourne’s current site on The Mall. Wellbourne was launched in 2017​​ by Dabbous alumni Ross Gibbens and Michael Kennedy, who have since opened sites in London ​​and Spain​​. 

Wallfish - which is owned by Seldon Curry and Liberty Wenham - announced its intention to close early this year​​ after five years in business.

Kennedy knows the team at Wallfish well having worked there in the gap between Dabbous and Wellbourne. 

Wallfish & Wellbourne Bistro will serve dishes inspired by both restaurants, which focus on local produce and “delivering simple but quality cuisine.” 

The launch menu will include bacon chop with Wallfish brown sauce, cacklebean egg and sour cabbage; and crab thermidor vol au vents. There will also be a small oyster bar counter in the new bistro in a nod to Wallfish being well-known for its oysters.

“When we heard [Wallfish] were closing we were sad to lose them from the area and we started conversations about how we could work together to combine the best of both,” says Gibbens, who will head the kitchen. “We are thrilled to be working with them and can’t wait to deliver the new menu. There will be familiar dishes from both venues but also some exciting new surprises.”

“It was complete luck that Michael [Kennedy] ended up working with us at Wallfish. It was in many ways the most successful period of our time there. We met Ross at a slightly later date and were lucky to forge an instant rapport with him,” says Curry.

“We are pleased to be working together with people who we both like and respect hugely and we will strive to bring our Wallfish stylings to their great restaurant to create something special.”

Wallfish & Wellbourne Bistro is expected to open on 14 November.