Tiny reviews of Brighton food and drink
Really cool location, with a “food hall” of currently 7 kitchens, the lineup of which does change at times. All ordering done online which is great, and we had amazing food from the Salt Shed (incredible bavette), Zest Hanoi Kitchen, and a temporary Santa Monica thing. Definitely worth a trip.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: Kings Road Arches, Shelter Hall
Vegan Japanese, tapas style, and easily one of the best restaurants (meat or not) that I’ve been to in this town. Particularly good was the tempura cauliflower and “chicken” bao burger, but basically we had 12 things, 1 was pretty good, and all the rest were wow.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 44-45 Baker Street
I struggled a bit with this one, as we enjoyed a lot of this. Nice joint, for one, not too cramped, nice but not too fancy. Good service too, and I appreciated that the small plates aren’t thrown at you all at once. But ultimately the food was a bit uneven. Some very enjoyable corn fritters and mushroom tacos, then middling fish tacos (great when you got the sauce, but not enough of it) and octopus tacos that didn’t hit the mark, and chicken parcels in a domineering sauce that was out of kilter with everything else.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 135 Kings Rd
Had intended to go to the restaurant but babysitter cancelled so got Deliveroo. It’s a little spendy, but goodness me the meat is INCREDIBLE. I think the fries would be ok too but they’d clearly sat there before delivery. I want to go to the resto badly!
Edit: Have now been into the New Unity and had the food, and it was really great, and I think more affordable than over takeaway! Big benefit of eating in is you get a whole host of BBQ and hot sauces which makes a big difference too.
Verdict: Awesome (just don’t get fries delivered)
Location: 52-53 London Road
A lovely venue with lovely people serving vegan Japanese. Outstanding cocktails too – I enjoyed sipping my lemon whiskey creation throughout my meal. Unfortunately the food itself is very uneven. Mushroom gyoza just ok, while tofu pockets were excellent; nigiri was great, but maki was just piles of rice. Wouldn’t really go back.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 5-6 Circus Parade
I think I’d be keen to try their restaurant, but can’t recommend the takeaway. Had a half crispy duck which was really good, but also got a main course of spicy beef. It was ok, but it was £12 and a joke of a portion.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: 19 Prince Albert Street
Interesting place of pros and cons. It’s a cosy place, with the owner very visible. It’s big benefit is BYO, but I think this must lead to trouble often, as the owner was quick to judge/condescend, which is something I’ve not written before (“It’s written on the door!”, he says – as I leave, I find out it is not), and the houmous was honestly awful. However, when I said it was rough, quickly replaced by halloumi bread, which is amazing. And all the other food was amazing and when you’re not buying booze – incredibly reasonable. So all up, a winner.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 103 Western Road
We’d heard about this outfit for a long time, and ultimately a bit disappointing. Yes, good amount of protein in the curries for sure. But starters very weak, and mains – one pretty good, the other so-so. Better available.
Edit: This review was for a takeaway during lockdown. Have just been to dine in, and it was really good. Usual Thai options, but then the option of “crispy” chicken, prawns etc on your curry – floured and fried, and amazing. Starter type salad spicy and tasty too, so revising verdict up.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 90 Dyke Road
I really wanted to like this place – it’s a lovely space, and some of the best service ever, for sure. But I can’t bring myself to mark it awesome, because the menu is very small, but more importantly I don’t think it’s worth what they charge. For example, pork loin – pretty nice, but a very small piece of pork with some carrots and such for £18 needs to be AMAZING (particularly since you’ll need to add on sides). As happens often in Brighton, Kindling suffers less because it’s got problems but more because of how many awesome places are nearby.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 69 East Street
The long awaited beachside venue. Went along week of hospo reopening and…well. The staff can’t be faulted (they brought Ryan a cupcake when he got sad for spilling his juice) but they are absolutely not geared up for families on the menu. And the space is disappointing; it’s a cacophony that you can’t hear over, and the windows were so fogged/dirty you can’t see the sea which is half of why you’re there. Keen to try the outside sometime.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location: Western Esplanade