Forage restaurant is a new addition to Downend high street, having opened late last year.
And, until now the reviews have been full of praise, particularly for their Sunday lunches. However, the results of its latest hygiene inspection could threaten its reputation.
On December 2, South Gloucestershire Council gave the upmarket eatery a zero star hygiene rating, declaring that there was "urgent improvement necessary".
READ MORE: Two Bristol takeaways slammed for poor food hygiene ratings
The restaurant was marked on three different categories - food hygiene and safety was listed as "improvement necessary", structural compliance was said to need "major improvement", and confidence in management was also listed as "major improvement necessary".
Public ratings online only offer the rating, not the full report detailing the reasoning.
Forage has not yet shared an official response to the hygiene certificate, but head chef Arnie spoke with Bristol Live and shared that the low rating was due to issues with the restaurant's boiler at the time of inspection.
He said: "We had the inspection a month or two ago and the environmental agency had an issue with the boiler, but now we have a brand new boiler installed."
Arnie shared that the low rating has remained as Forage has had no time to reschedule the visit, however they are expecting a revisit this week. "Next week there will be a five-star rating to show off on that door," he said.
Previously, Arnie was the sous chef however shared that he stepped up after his predecessor left in December.
He promised customers that he "takes great pride" in his kitchen and that all of the food is fresh and in date, even declaring: "You could eat off the floor!"
The hygiene rating has not deterred diners who have already become fans of the Downend restaurant.
When the rating was shared on a neighbourhood Facebook page, one customer commented: "I've had two absolutely beautiful meals here.
"The facilities are spotless and you can see into the kitchen from the seating area...It won't put me off, it's a fabulous restaurant."
Several others also expressed their shock about the zero-star rating, commenting that cleanliness had seemed excellent during their visits.
The restaurant on Badminton Road, which opened in October, has gained five-star reviews on its Facebook page.
It describes itself on its website as "a restaurant with modern cooking that uses fresh and seasonal ingredients" in a "friendly, comfortable" setting.
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