Bonzo Lounge - Tvedestrand

Had lunch at BONZO Keynsham on the weekend with friends. Ordered the Vegan Moroccan Aubergine Flatbread. It was amazing. Hubby suggested we get a take away for dinner, immediately i wanted the same as the weekend, could not eat it. It was squashed into a round container on its side, not chickpea, mint sauce or pomegranate in sight. No hummus, avocado so hard it could have taken a tooth. And to top it off it seemed to be in two parts almost as though they took half of one and put it on top of the other, when lifting it, it was just flatbread underneath! Disgusting!

I thought it was very noisy and expensive. Over £16 for a fish finger sandwich, half a beer and a coffee. There were Dogs everywhere. Why can’t we have moderation. I waited for ages to be served whilst 3 staff discussed how to pour a drink. I would go again but only when they have a deal on.

Went for Tapas Tuesday for the first time in a while we think went mid 2023 last and we were regulars pre covid twice a month at least. We used to enjoy chatting to the ‘Bagman’ and also watching the monthly ‘meeting of the brave alternative folk’. Cleanliness has dropped and with so many staff it’s a surprise given you order via QR these days and so no six/seven deep queues as there used to be. Tables are left with uncollected glasses and plates for ages and indeed in the hour we were there early evening three used tables were unable to be used for new guests as they had not been cleaned. The big change and huge huge negative was the lack of bread with the Tapas. You used to get several pieces between you in order to ‘mop’ the bowls and eat the humus from. It was part and parcel of the deal that was under £10 pre Covid. We were gobsmacked that the bread is no more as we had wanted to get back in Tapas Tuesday a couple of times a month once more. Only reason I gave a two and not a one was that the Tapas was tasty and the lady who delivered it was very pleasant indeed. Just a shame half the sauces were left in the bowls as we weren’t up for finger dipping to clean them. Real shame and I hope the owners review this massive backwards step as I wonder if others have stopped going for this very reason. I would wager based on food We saw coming from the kitchen that your tapas turnover has dropped dramatically since pre Covid times.

The service is great, and staff are very friendly and can’t do enough to help you. Bonzo is an ideal place to go with kids, young and old. The noise that younger ones can make, is absorbed into the background. They have a children’s menu that doubles as a drawing mat. Food for both children and adults covers most people’s tastes. The quality is okay, and comes quickly. Menu doesn’t change much , so can be a bit repetitive if you visit multiple times.

Met a lovely women there on my first perfect date made even better by friendly staff and great food and drinks, highly recommended the tapas selection