In my personal pursuit for somewhere secluded yet warm, welcoming and peaceful to relax, have a quiet drink and be sociable in semi-isolation, I have come up empty.  I’m sure that if you thought about it, you would join me in a quest for tranquillity while enjoying family and friends in an intimate space. 

This has been my motivation and explains part of my journey to create an environment that provides the comfort and privacy of being in our own living room with the beauty, glamour and attentiveness of a restaurant.

I wanted to provide the comfort of being somewhere where regardless of the conversation – from classified government discussions, to the intimate making of plans of newly-weds, difficult family tussles to friendship group celebrations – a private place to create a memory or policy whilst drinking a beautiful cup of coffee, a luxurious cocktail or glass of wine accompanied by a steaming delicious plate of Curry Goat, or the familiar flavour burst of Jamaican Jerk Chicken with rice and peas. Stokes Croft, namely Rice and Things, my  basement hideaway restaurant is the place that I have curated with just this in mind.

I have curated a secluded venue, in the middle of the city, where customers feel safe and contained with freedoms to be with their guests without fear of being heard or overlooked.  I understand the context and pressures of the world that we live in.  It is more important now, than ever before, that spaces that we occupy respond to the changing needs of our society.

Far from the hustle and bustle of Rice and Things busy takeaway service, my basement hideaway restaurant welcomes customers with quiet relaxation, hugging them with a safe, warm, and homely yet professional ambiance leaving the noisy distraction of others behind them.

Following the pandemic the hospitality sector has suffered a huge and catastrophic hit as concerns its labour force. Many people have left the industry with others being sceptical about joining the industry. Couple this with a heightened discernment of patrons awareness of their social space and where they choose to spend their time.  My hope is that the space I am curating with my team offers a beautifully bespoke and nourishing experience for those that choose to join us.  My private dining experience is wrapped around giving you, the customer, your best experience.  A warm place to be where you feel welcome ‘home from home’, with the best flavours from Jamaica with the privacy and functionality that meets your needs.

I extend my personal invitation to you to experience the hospitality of Jamaica, my legacy, and the authenticity of Rice and Things.  Come. Enjoy the benefits of your own private restaurant experience for the time that you are with us!

I look forward to serving you,

With love and sunshine,

Chef Neufville