The Kensington Arms is part of small but renowned family of restaurants run by Josh Eggleton, co-owner and chef of Michelin-starred South-West treasure, The Pony and Trap.

Tucked away on a quiet residential street in the heart of one of Bristol’s leafy suburbs, you might do a double take after finding out it was the 2018 winner of Best Gastro pub in Bristol’s Good Food Awards and was listed in the top 50 gastro pubs in the country.

The former local boozer, famed for its mighty Sunday roasts to Bristolians, has earned a solid reputation for reinventing the pub classics, spreading the word beyond its South-West roots for its reverence of seasonal and sustainable British produce.

The family of restaurants, including vege-focused restaurant Root, and award winning fish and chip shop Salt and Malt, are part of the Eat Drink Bristol Fashion group, which tries to instil a ‘field-to-fork’ ethos of using sustainable local ingredients wherever possible.

It's clear food and the source of each dish are proudly displayed when you walk into the back restaurant.

Diners get front row seats of the kitchen in action, led by head chef Luke Hawkins, who previously worked at the Pony and Trap.

The modern interior of studded leather seats line the walls of the restaurant, focusing attention on the source of each plate which is easily spotted as it comes over the pass.

The standout features of the Kenny, as it’s known to locals, are the brilliant twists on modern British classics that lift well-known dishes with new and exciting combinations.

The burger night for one evening boats a lamb and chorizo burger, which is taken to another level with pickled apricots; another night it's cuttlefish with squid ink buns.

But you needn't pay gastro pub prices either. The kitchen has regular lunch offers , served Monday to Friday, where you get three courses for £15.

Seasonal specials also offer fresh seafood, from lobsters, crabs, and raw scallops.

For a starter I try out a ewe’s curd salad with tiny strips of salty bacon fat which is served slightly warm but all works together brilliantly.

The Cornish sea bass which arrives on a bead of spicy lentils is cooked to perfection and has a fresh saltiness of the sea.

I watch as a slightly charred but visibly pink Cote de Boeuf for two people goes past and is handed to another table who gaze at it in amazement.

I manage to stop myself from trying any of the desserts, feeling so impressed by the first two courses, but regret it almost immediately.

The team also put on regular events and seasonal tasting evenings; there's is a Game Night, including game pies and game doughnuts; as well as the return of a butchery night hosted by one of the pub’s suppliers, showing diners how each cut is taken before trying two courses.

Even the drinks menu has unusual sounding aperitifs and cocktails that add a quirkiness to the standard beers, and wine selections, such as a damson americano aperitif, or homemade horseradish vodka Bloody Mary.

The Kensington Arms, 35-37 Stanley Road, Redland, Bristol, BS6 6NP. Bookings are advised in advance, especially for Sunday. Tel: 0117 944 6444.