City bistro will shut as siblings return to roots

PONY Bistro, the Bristol restaurant set up by TV chef Josh Eggleton and his sister Holly, will close its doors later this year.

Situated on North Street in Southville, the bistro opened as a pop-up in May 2021 immediately after Covid indoor restrictions on hospitality were lifted but will close for good on December 24.

The sibling restaurateurs will instead concentrate on the return of the Pony Chew Valley, a project for which they are currently crowdfunding.

Housed in the former Michelinstarred Pony & Trap pub, it will be a restaurant, cookery school and wedding and event venue.

For the final few months at Pony Bistro, the restaurant will continue with its monthly Sunday lunch specials. It is also launching a new summer menu – a two-course dinner for £28 served between 5.30pm and 7pm.

This will run alongside the normal four-course evening menu at £43. Lunchtimes will see the continuation of the individually priced small plates menu.

Josh, who has previously appeared on Great British Menu, says: “The Pony Chew Valley needs our full focus now, and so naturally we’ll all return to the Pony Chew Valley to ensure everything is totally on point. And we’re really excited to get back to the flagship, our home.

“For us, Pony Bistro represents a few things: a fun pop-up project, a chance to have a restaurant in Bristol, and the ability to create a space that is more modern, which is reflected in both the menu and atmosphere.

“Where it was similar to the Pony Chew Valley was its dedication to celebrate its surroundings; the Pony Chew Valley celebrates the beautiful landscape that surrounds it, while Pony Bistro champions the city, particularly the music and art scene synonymous with Bristol.

“Where the Ponies converge is the dedication to source and serve outstanding local produce which we fill both our food and drink menus with. Our time at the Bistro ending is bittersweet, but there are still a few months in which guests can come and enjoy lunch or dinner with us.”

Holly says: “The modern British restaurant was an opportunity which presented itself out of the blue. We were really excited by the project

and we simply had to do it. The timing couldn’t have been better – we knew we were going to embark on the refurbishment of the Pony Chew Valley at this point, so it ensured we could keep our entire Pony team in a job in the interim. It’s been nothing short of amazing having this venture to focus on while the Pony Chew has been under refurb.”

Pony Chew Valley is due to open in September.

Shotaway Photography Josh and Holly Eggleton at the Pony Bistro in Bristol, also pictured left