Flute - Full Menu

I visited Flute with my family for an evening meal, as it’s considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Bath, so I was eager to give it a try. This review... read more I visited Flute with my family for an evening meal, as it’s considered one of the best seafood restaurants in Bath, so I was eager to give it a try. This review is a bit tricky because "restaurant" doesn’t seem to encapsulate the experience. Upon arrival (Saturday at 8 PM), we found only one other group at Flute, and they were just having drinks, which felt unusual. I then noticed the words “Seafood Bar” written on the window, which made me realize that food might not be the main focus here; perhaps the emphasis is on the alcoholic beverages. Still, Flute does offer a complete menu. I ordered the deep-fried crab, seafood linguine, and chocolate lava cake. The soft shell crab was an interesting experience. When I finally cut into it, the flavors were mixed. The main body had that nice white crab meat taste, but the legs were disappointingly flavorless, akin to paper. Additionally, the dish was overly salty, making it difficult to enjoy more than a few small bites at a time. Luckily, the accompanying mayonnaise and plain lettuce helped balance things out. Next, I had the seafood spaghetti, which I thoroughly enjoyed. The bisque had a nice kick, and the spaghetti itself was quite tasty. The squid was chewy, with that characteristic texture, while the crayfish and prawns tasted as they should. Overall, I found this dish enjoyable. However, the dauphinois potatoes were a letdown, seeming to lack any cream and tasting like plain boiled potatoes. The chocolate lava cake was more like a generic chocolate cake than anything else, as it lacked the anticipated “lava.” The ice cream did add some much-needed moisture. Throughout our meal, not a single new party came in to dine, which felt strange for a Saturday evening. In summary, I believe Flute leans more toward being a bar than a restaurant. It might be a nice spot for a work lunch, but I recommend visiting primarily for drinks instead. I also wouldn’t classify the dessert options—just two—as a “full” menu. Service: Dine in Price per person: £60–70 Food: 3 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 2