Lucky Strike had something really unique when it opened on East Street – a modern take on the traditional British caff. But we weren’t exactly complaining when Bristol’s beloved ramen shop, Tomo No Ramen, launched a pop-up at the Bedminster bistro last September. But now that partnership has come to an end, what’s next for Lucky Strike?
Well, Lucky Stike’s owner, Tom Montgomery recently took to Instagram to announce the news. “A creative and commercial success,” he thanks everyone “who has come down and dined with us.” He also mentions that it was discussed that Tomo No Ramen and Lucky Stike would join forces permanently, but certain factors “meant the project was not going to work for either of us.”
“For us on East Street, it’s clear there’s a real demand for Japanese food in Bedminster and Southville, and myself and the team have really enjoyed the change. So I’ve decided to carry on with this cuisine,” said Tom. “How we’ve arrived here wasn’t exactly as planned, but I feel sometimes in life that happens.”
Now describing itself as a “Japanese bistro” and reverting to calling itself Lucky Strike, it will now be a full-time Japanese restaurant. It’ll continue to be the only place to tuck into ramen and gyoza in South Bristol while leaning “into our roots as Lucky Strike as a diner” by adding favourites like chicken katsu curry to the menu, as well as unique dishes like beef tantanmen mazemen (a sort of brothless ramen).
You can expect the retro ‘70s feel of this neighbourhood diner to remain. But everything from the desserts to the cocktails is now Japanese-inspired, like the matcha arctic roll or malted milk purin and a yuzu bellini or milk tea old fashioned. From March 1, brunch also returns to Lucky Strike on Saturdays between 11 am and 2:30 pm. To learn more about Lucky Strike head here.