This was recommended by Time Out as a cool place with a mix of weird antiques and good cocktails. We headed in on a Sunday afternoon and the music was too loud to talk, so stuff that.
Verdict: Don’t go
Location 74 St James’s Street
The New Club
American-style food in a chilled out cafe type space by the sea; went here for an excellent full English, and a smashed avocado toast. Great food, really nice staff, although they are very busy! Dinner uses small plate concept and really keen to try it.
Verdict: Awesome
Location 133-134 King’s Road
Waggon and Horses
Went here to see about Brighton’s largest selection of whiskeys (whiskies?), which they do have – immense. On a Friday night though no-one’s going to tell you anything about it (I’m not going to fault them on this, since we went to the Great Eastern after to do the same with bourbon and had the same problem, unlike my first time). The draw I think is all the picnic tables outside (since the inside’s a bit…spartan) to drink your whiskey or beer. For those, it wins.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 109 Church Street
Couldn’t find a website
Bar Valentino
Above El Mexicano, which I have yet to try, is a cocktail lounge rated highly by Time Out. Hit and miss for me. Bartenders are good, nice, and flair around the place, cocktail menu is imaginative and we enjoyed ours (correction, I enjoyed my spiced mint julep and everyone else thought it was gross), and you can stand outside on the balcony overlooking New Road. The inside space though is pretty small and very loud; I like my cocktails in a chilled environment.
Verdict: Ok
Location: 7 New Road
www.elmexicano.co.uk/bar-valentino-cocktail-bar
The Chilli Pickle
A known quantity as a top Brighton resto, and I agree wholeheartedly. Eschews the typical Indian menu of approximately 40,000 dishes for a selection of interesting spins. Had some tamil peanut pakora (spicy peanut clusters), green pea & cheese crispies (pea patties with melted cheese and crunchy bits, yum) and South Indian Village Chicken Curry, which was awesome (although was also ogling the lamb chop platter that someone else had). Four of us had a bottle of wine and a few rounds of big beers, starters, mains and shared two kulfis (not my thing it turns out) for like £170. Bargain!
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 17 Jubilee Street
Brighton Wok
Awesome Chinese takeaway! I had honey shredded chicken with chilli & salt which was super crispy and great, with salt and pepper chips (!) and prawn toast. I have it on good authority that the actual meals, which I will try when I am not drunk, are delicious too.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 34 New England Road
La Cucina
Ordered pizza from these guys – a “boaro” meaty one with pork and wild boar salami, and a margherita with mushrooms and red chillis. Really tasty, although it’s a thin base if you don’t like that sort of thing.
Edit: Had another, BBQ Treat – excellent too.
Verdict: Awesome
Location 4a Montpelier Place
Smokeys
“American roadside-style cuisine”, with brunch and BBQ. Went for brunch, sampled pancakes (huge), one of their sandwiches (huge amount of fries) and a “blowout” fried chicken burger (also huge). All tip top, with a big seating area where you can see the sea. Highly ace.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 124 King’s Road
Carousel’s
As the name implies, this fish and chippery is right on the water by the Carousel. Classic, deliciously greasy fish and chips had here on a picnic table; nicely you can get beer too. Also, be amused at the quantity of signs informing you that if the seagulls take your food they won’t replace it.
Verdict: Awesome
Location 216-225 King’s Road Arches
https://www.facebook.com/Carousels-510840795623102/
The Salt Room
Renowned waterfront resto. We went here for their second “Supper Club” of eight tasting courses, with everything from an oyster, scallop and lobster through lamb, rabbit and a big box of sweets. And bread with lava salt, which is apparently a thing. It was great – in their private dining area too with 12 people, so a social occasion. People we spoke to said their regular service also excellent.
Verdict: Awesome
Location: 106 King’s Road