• Added: 5th of November 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 1HL

kittieskitchen said
Italian... Brazilian... Delicious!
I've been meaning to check this little place out for months. Only a couple of minutes walk from work, and highly recommended, it's bizarre that it's taken me this long to have a go.

It is a small place, just up from the seafront. Only 8 tables or so, and a pretty informal feel. The waiter was friendly and helpful - not minding in the slightest our prolonged indecision over what to eat!

With an unusual combination of Brazilian and Italian - it provides a nice contrast to the gazillion pizza and pasta joints that litter Brighton's city centre. I was relieved to find that rather than attempt a South American/Euro fusion, the menu is sensibly and deliciously split into two parts - one offering a fair selection of Brazilian starters and mains; and secondly a decent Italian menu (no pizza in sight - and plenty of carne/pesce options - yay!)

We stuck to the Brazilian menu - with absolutely no regrets! I started with the bolinho de bacalhua- salt cod fritters. Beautifully crispy outside, with a flavourful filling - plenty of fish kept them interesting, only a squeeze of lemon juice required to serve.

I followed it with prato feito - a typical Brazilian meal of steak, brown beans, salad and rice. The meat was perfectly cooked to 'just less than medium rare' (I'm fussy ;) and full of flavour; the rice and beans, well cooked and well seasoned.

I'm very impressed, and had a lovely lunch. Looking forward to next time!

• Added: 15th of October 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 3TD
01273 885555

kittieskitchen said
Pigs ears? I should've known better...
In these times of penny pinching and purse tightening, it was quite a treat to go to one of Brighton's most reputable restaurants for a very well priced dinner. At £15 for 3 courses, the early dinner set menu seemed like an effective combination of trying a restaurant I'd heard about since moving to Brighton, and avoiding the boxes still covering my house after the move.

Through out the meal, the service was lovely and friendly. We didn't wait too long for our food at any time, but were never hurried. The staff dealt with my fellow diner's dietary requests patiently and effectively. I liked the decor - not fussy or pretentious; interesting photos and prints complement high ceilings and contemporary lighting.

And on to the food...

The amuse bouche was a beautifully coloured creamy beetroot soup, served with freshly baked bread. Despite the richness of the cream it was delicate and sweet, though maybe a tad under-seasoned for my tastes.

For starters I chose crispy pig ear goujons, served with tartare sauce. I know, I know. Pig ears? Well, to explain myself, I had originally been drawn to the pig cheek galette, which (unfortunately for me) had been taken off the menu since my on-line perusal earlier that day. and in my disappointment I felt that I really ought to try to pig ears. After all, they wouldn't serve anything too gruesome would they??

Alas, they were distinctly not to my tastes. And my fellow diner wouldn't even taste them... after I tried to cut him a piece, pulling out a long strip of white tendon. I rose above the my previous ick levels, and managed to clear about two thirds of the plate. The ears themselves weren't too bad to eat - masked as they were by a nicely crunchy breadcrumb coating. My main issue was that they didn't really taste of anything. All I could taste or feel was the breadcrumb exterior... and the bland, somewhat gungy, interior.

Anyway, I've tried them now, so that's something! (Incidentally, B had the mackerel starter, with dill and mustard dressing which he declared delicious!)

Moving on to the main...

Much more successful! I chose the wood pigeon, served with pork and lentil stew. The pigeon was perfectly cooked; rare, tender and flavourful. The pork and lentils were packed with flavour, the pork mostly meltingly soft fat. The whole was served with creamed potatoes, which balanced the saltiness of the stew perfectly.

I opted for the cheese board finish. A choice of only two cheeses, both of which were tasty if unimaginative - a soft strong brie, and a mature cheddar. Served with apple chutney, Scottish oatcakes and grapes, it was a lovely end to the meal.

All in all, it was a nice meal and a lovely evening. I do wish the pig ears had been more palatable, but at least I had a talking point at work the next day.

And, to be honest, I should've known better...

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Cafes and Coffee Shops

Brighton BN1 4ER

kittieskitchen said
Delicious!
I had dinner here some time last year... but despite thoroughly enjoying the food it somehow ended up being almost a year before I ventured back in.

I won't be as slow for next time though!

The is a great little restaurant - a lovely menu and friendly staff. Though small, two sides of the restaurant are pretty much full length windows - perfect for watching the world go by.

My last visit was a breakfast trip. I had eggs benedict - huge english muffins (I think homebaked) with beautiful smokey bacon and poached eggs done just as I asked (no egg snot!) I couldn't finish it - which is very unusual for me! The coffee was very very good - I'd go back there for breakfast for the brew alone! Breakfast is served until 1pm - next time I'll be trying the smoked haddock to see if it matches what I'm used to in Scotland ;)

Breakfast is only one part of this restaurant - I'm looking forward to trying the evening menu again soon!

• Added: 1st of September 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 4AL

kittieskitchen said
Nice little vegetarian cafe - great name!
This is a pretty nice little place to stop for a healthy veggie wrap or soup. The menu used to be fairly extensive, but I think it has reduced in scope in the last year or so - and now isn't anything above what you'd expect from a vegetarian cafe in Brighton...

Despite this, the food is tasty - last time I had a falafel wrap, and thoroughly enjoyed it!

There is a nice outdoor seating area - on the bustling Kensington Gardens, always good for people spotting! But it does often get busy - and speed of service can suffer as a result.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN2 1RF
01273 607835

kittieskitchen said
Wonderful food, great restaurant
I love this place!

A cosy little restaurant in Kemptown, serving beautiful food. The Saint is focussed on sourcing local ingredients, and supports the Slow Food Movement.

The staff are exceptionally friendly and attentive - providing menu tips when asked!

My words won't do justice to the food. You can check the menu out on their website - but just take my advice - and go there!!

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 1HB
01273 726777

kittieskitchen said
Good American Fare
One of the better American style restaurants, I've always left feeling stuffed and happy!

Nice selection of burgers, steak and salad. I've yet to try their brunch, which has always tempted me...

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN2 1TB
01273 570526

kittieskitchen said

The best thing this place has going for it is its location, and the beautiful circular terrace overlooking the sea.

The menu read well, but in actuality execution was average at best. Also, the service was terrible - understaffed, and what staff were there were inefficient, and one one occasion, rude.

I've been three times, but won't be back.

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 1AL
01273 748448

kittieskitchen said

Great wee place!

I'm lucky enough to work almost next door to it at the moment, and partake of the lunch deal regularly - £5 for two courses? Can't go far wrong. Or I guess you could... but they don't! I almost always start with the chicken tom yum - but do try the sesame toast - it's delicious - if a little to unhealthy to be part of my regular order ;)

A good selection of mains, try the spicy Thai fried rice... then everything else!

Have yet to visit at night for the a la carte menu - but look forward to doing it soon!

• Added: 22nd of August 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 1GE

kittieskitchen said
Decent for breakfast or lunch
I've came here for breakfast, brunch or lunch a handful of times, and always left feeling somewhat underwhelmed.

Don't get me wrong, it's a nice enough place, the staff are friendly, and the food tasty... but somehow there is something missing to pull me back time after time.

The coffee is excellent, but maybe the food choice too limited? I know the cafe layout is intentionally so, but I can't help but feel it a little sparse.

The little deli at the front is fab though - if a little overpriced!

• Added: 14th of April 2008
• Area: Brighton
• Category: Restaurants

Brighton BN1 1UD

kittieskitchen said
Small and busy - great food!
My new favourite lunchtime spot!

Get your authentic Japanese food to sit in or to take away - either way it will be ready in minutes! It's small and crowded - not exactly somewhere for a romantic meal - but perfect for a quick bite with some friends.

Most of the dishes are donburi (rice bowls) - steamed rice with a choice of toppings. The toppings tend not to be very 'saucy' - but are delicious. I particularly like the sesame beef don and tori chilli don. There are also some noodle dishes and a few soups and curries - but I haven't got round to trying them yet.

There is no alcohol license - but a selection of cold drinks, tea or coffee. There is also the Mugi Cha option (Japanese tea) - though I have to say I didn't particularly rate it...

I almost forgot to say how cheap it is! A main is on average £4, with appetizers costing about £1-2. A cold drink is less than a pound!

Pompoko is open from 11:30am each day, and open until 10pm Monday to Thursday, 11pm on Friday and Saturday and 9pm on Sunday.