Food for Friends — Restaurant in Great Britain

Overpriced for what it is, I would avoid. As a party of 8 we ordered almost every small plate on the menu to share, and almost all were disappointing and bland. Thoughts in order:

Arancini - Dry, bland and tasteless. The rice in the balls was completely lacking in seasoning, not even salt, their only flavour came from the mushy garden peas speckled in the rice.

Watermelon salad - Tiny portion, watermelon was so poorly cut so as to be mushy, included a handful of blistered cherry tomatoes. Totally lacked dressing to tie the dish together, which was a shame as it otherwise looked like a promising and interesting dish but its execution totally failed.

Aubergine goats cheese linguine - The linguine itself was so bland. There was no salt or seasoning in the sauce, tasted like tomato passata straight out of a can. There were a couple of large chunks of goats cheese atop the linguine dish and I think the chef’s thought might have been that the tangy cheese would balance out the saltless pasta. However this just didn’t work for us, would have preferred well-seasoned pasta without goats cheese altogether.

Crispy tofu: this was over salted (unlike the rest of our food which almost totally lacked salt and seasoning) - made it difficult to taste and appreciate the dipping sauce as the tofu itself was quite overpoweringly salty.

Thai cauliflower - one of the more ok dishes we had, the florets were soggy and not crispy but the dipping sauce was tasty.

Bao buns - actually quite tasty, the omni pork was very indistinguishable from actual pork and the fried mushrooms were a good topping.

Corn ribs - these were also tasty, we enjoyed the sauce and the way the corn was cut into “ribs”. However like a few other reviews here have mentioned, they were extremely small portions - the “ribs” together would barely constitute a single standard cob of corn and it felt extortionate to pay £9 for essentially one cob of corn.

Bread and olives: standard and we enjoyed the beetroot hummus.

Chocolate truffles: We ordered chocolate truffles for dessert which though delicious took far too long to arrive given these truffles don’t particularly require cooking time or preparation. Our waiter also forgot that each serving of truffles comes with two shots of espresso, we had to ask for our espressos which only arrived after we’d already finished our truffles. On top of that he’d only brought one shot of espresso for each serving of truffles, so we had to ask for the second shot and that took a while to arrive after as well.

Service was also slow and clearly understaffed, our waiter was kind and friendly but clearly seemed to be attending to more tables than he should have.

The cutlery was also not particularly clean, we had to replace two wine glasses after the waiter had already filled them with wine as there was food debris floating in the wine (from the unclean glasses). In fairness our waiter was very apologetic and replaced the wine in those glasses.

In general we did not think this place was worth the price at all - the flavours of the food were very unmemorable and bland and service could have benefited from more staff. The ambience is beautiful and the food was presented well (even if it didn’t taste particularly impressive), which is why this review is two stars instead of one. Please save your money and...

One of the worst experiences I’ve had in quite some time. I rarely bother to write reviews because I know that sometimes people may be having a bad day or it’s just one of those things (esp during these times) BUT I feel so compelled to share this awful experience with you. Due to the pandemic, things were super quiet in Brighton so we strolled upon this beautiful looking little find in the heart of town. We just fancied a hot drink, nibbles and something sweet so expressed this after entering. Bear in mind that there were only two other couples in the entire restaurant! Even before we were taken to our seats, the woman behind the bar on the right (who I now understand is the ‘manager’) asked us what drink we wanted, and with what type of milk - bear in mind, the door had just been shut and we were standing there waiting to be seated by the other female assistant. We were slightly taken aback by the brashness of this but gave our order nevertheless and were then seated. Very bizarre to not even be seated before giving our order across a bar but I digress ... Having just taken our coats off, and the menus just being placed on our table, the same woman that ‘greeted’ us came back to get our order - again, having just been seated. I then politely asked to have a bit of time as we’d hardly taken a breath before orders were being demanded so quickly - within no more than 5 minutes of entering the restaurant. We knew that something didn’t feel right but we continued briefly, before asking for the dessert menu to which the ‘manager’ gave me such a repugnant attitude and look - huffing under her mask. At that point, we decided that we weren’t going to stand for this and informed the same woman that we were going to leave. She didn’t ask why, or if there was an issue but just stood there and watched us leave. Was this racial? Perhaps sexist? Even a bad day? Or just prejudice full stop? I have no idea, but what I’m certain about is that I will never visit this establishment again. To be made to feel the way that we were in those few minutes is not only disgusting, but unacceptable on every level. No matter who you are or what your needs may be, don’t ever make people feel the way you did in those moments. You have no idea who we were, what we wanted or what positivity we could’ve added to your day today, especially during these unprecedented times. But you’ll never know, because our business went to an establishment who were all of the things you should’ve been. If I could’ve given zero stars I...

A Cozy Gem in Brighton – A Must-Visit for a Delightful Lunch

Nestled in the heart of Brighton, this charming restaurant is a true haven for food lovers seeking a warm, inviting atmosphere paired with an exquisite vegetarian and vegan menu. From the moment my friend and I stepped inside for lunch, we were greeted by a cozy, well-lit space that felt both intimate and welcoming. The ambiance, with its soft lighting and thoughtfully curated decor, set the perfect mood for a relaxed dining experience.

The menu is a celebration of fresh, organic, and globally inspired ingredients, and every dish we sampled was a testament to the kitchen’s dedication to flavor and quality. We started with the Crispy Tofu, which was beautifully marinated in tamari and paired with a vibrant chili and ginger sauce—an absolute delight with just the right balance of crispiness and heat. The Harissa Carrots were another standout, offering a perfect blend of smoky and sweet flavors, complemented by a silky carrot hummus and crunchy tamari seeds.

For our mains, we opted for the Thai Noodle Salad and the Aubergine Parmigiana. The salad was a refreshing and hearty dish, brimming with textures from vermicelli noodles, bok choy, lotus root, and water chestnuts, all tied together with a luscious peanut satay dressing. The aubergine, baked to perfection, was layered with rich tomato sauce and creamy parmesan, creating a comforting and indulgent dish.

Of course, no meal is complete without dessert, and we were utterly captivated by the Cherry Blaze Cheesecake. The caramelized top had just the right amount of crunch, while the velvety cheesecake melted in our mouths, perfectly balanced by the tartness of the cherry coulis.

Beyond the food, the service was impeccable—friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. The wine selection, curated with an emphasis on organic and biodynamic options, further elevated our experience.

If you’re in Brighton and looking for a restaurant that delivers on taste, ambiance, and warmth, this place is a must-visit. Whether you’re a dedicated vegetarian or simply someone who appreciates well-crafted, flavorful food, this hidden gem will leave you planning your next visit before you've even finished your meal.

Highly...