Kindling

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

https://www.kindlingrestaurant.com/

Oowee Vegan

Tricky one, because I think vegan fried stuff doesn’t deliver that well. Had burgers (chick’n and Beyond), popcorn chick’n, and marmite and garlic fries. I think all up pretty good; you need to make sure you have lots of sauce for the popcorn, but the main reason for points off is the packaging is terrible at travelling.

Verdict: Ok

Location: The Western, 11 Cranbourne Street

https://ooweevegan.com/brighton/

3rd Avenue

Didn’t realise they had a Sunday roast menu like a pub, but I don’t think that affects the result. It’s…fine. The interior is ok. It bills itself as a cafe, then “The Grill Room” takes over – but has the same menu? And the food was just ok – burger was ok. Roast lamb was ok. Sticky date pudding was good and the kids’ menu was good. Just nothing to draw one back really.

Verdict: Ok

Location: 70-72 Church Road

http://thirdave.co.uk/

Rockwater

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

https://rockwater.uk/