The Ivy Asia Brighton — Restaurant in Great Britain

Going to The Ivy Asia is an experience. It is not somewhere you go for a quick bite but a mouth-watering journey through culinary excellence. Having been to The Ivy in London, The Wolseley and The Ritz my wife and I put The Ivy Asia in the same category. So I booked a table for 5.30pm for my wife’s birthday. Outside we were greeted by a well-dressed doorman and the staff inside also had stunning attire. There was no wait and were shown straight to our table. By this time we had been asked by three members of staff if it was our first time at The Ivy Asia and that food is tapas style and will come out when it is ready. Our was an adequate table for two however the ambient noise and music was too loud to sit opposite each other. We promptly asked if we could move so my wife and I could sit next to each other and have a conversation much more easily, and this was all before the DJ was due to start at 6.30pm. Our server explained that although the table next to us was free, it was for three people. Despondently we accepted this and carried on our shouting. 10 minutes later the table was set for two people. Unhappy with this, I asked our server why now it was ok for two people and he just blamed his manager. Fortunately, another table had become free so I insisted we move there. I am not someone who usually makes a fuss, however it just felt like they didn’t want us sitting in these seats but other couples could. We ordered the vegan Bonsai with a small plate of mushroom gyozas. To drink we had a Zen Garden and a Mango, No-Colada. While sorting out the tables our mushroom gyozas had arrive and they were delicious! Beautifully presented, as expected and my wife’s favourite dish of the whole meal. What was a star for me was the soy sauce. The flavour was far superior to any we had tasted before and has prompted us to pay more for the soy sauce we buy at home. During the break between our gyozas and The Bonsai we both went to the toilet. These are shared with the brasserie next door and down a tight staircase that has a turn at the bottom. This means you keep bumping into people coming up or down as you cannot see who is also on the staircase. The contrast between the male and female toilets is laughable. I have included photos above. The gents are functional where as the ladies are luxurious. Strangely, one of the few urinals in the gents is taken up by a warrior mannequin. It was about 40 minutes after arriving that The Bonsai was ready. What a sight! A real spectacle that demanded attention from fellow diners. Dry ice spilled from a bowel and gave a magical feel. It was disappointing, but understandable, that the bonsai was plastic. The server went through each element and we dived in. Each piece of sushi was stunning and the flavours were exceptional. It took some time to finish, but we managed it. After such a large main we opted to share the lychee desert. It was the only vegan desert. We accompanied this with a Red Dragon and a peppermint tea. The Red Dragon was meant to by syrupy and chocolatey, but it was neither for me. While we were enjoying our dessert a sweet dish of vanilla mochi balls was brought to our table. Although not vegan, we appreciated the sentiment. The time was now 7.10pm and my wife noticed staff kept looking over. Finally, a manager asked us if we would like th bill as someone else needed the table. I don’t understand that if someone if is already at the table and buying food and drink, why they are made to leave. We felt so uncomfortable that we decided to pay the bill and leave. Once again, the managers had tainted our experience. At no point were we told we only had the table for 90 minutes or given prompts from staff. It felt like we were being thrown out. On reflection we would still give The Ivy Asia 4/5 as the food was flawless and the décor was unrivalled. The light-up flooring and giant cherry-blossom tree the highlights. I also enjoyed the ancient-looking artwork behind our table was actually set...

Was excited to go and try as heard mixed reviews, unfortunately our experience was rubbish and I am really disappointed considering the amount they charge. When we arrived, the hostesses didn’t really seem friendly, we had to wait to hand our coats over (baring in mind it was pouring with rain so of course we had coats) they said they can take them but there’s not much space and looked at us as if they wanted us to say never mind we’ll take them to the table. Our reserved table wasn’t so we had to wait further which was fine Saturday night it’s busy but we were in the way of people leaving and coming in. Got to our table upstairs, there’s not much room up there, we were greeted but a bloody brawl going on right next to our table, no security to be see glasses everywhere, blood all over the floor, chairs the tables etc, again no security or management they were all waiting on the balcony whilst children and others were waiting for it to end. Found the security all he cared about what who was involved but didn’t intervene or go up to speak to those involved or indeed check on everyone else. People left as their food came out, I don’t blame them, I wouldn’t expect a higher end restaurant to allow that type of behaviour especially when a Wetherspoons would have you out as soon as it happens. The police arrived and apparently no one knew what had happened We asked a manger if we can wait for a table downstairs as there’s no way we are eating up there after that just happened. We were given other table but this was much later than our actual booking we were very much made aware that they wanted the table back. We were watched, stood over looking at their little tablets then back at our table. It wouldn’t have been a problem if the food came out on time and we were allowed to have our bottle of wine we ordered instead of to the side. We were given 15 mins to order pudding and drinks, we ordered 3 cocktails and 2 puddings, the puddings came out in 10 mins, we were still awaiting for our drinks when we were reminded they need our table, to which we responded with we are waiting for our cocktails, another 10 mins later they finally arrived and we were told they are really sorry but they need the table, I told them that we have only just been given our overpriced cocktails which we won’t be downing because their service has been slow and considering that we were given no apology for the fight we arrived to and being made to wait for our table and then had to wait even longer we were still technically within our limit. However I found it so bloody rude that we were basically rushed the whole time and totally ruined the experience for us and if it was my choice or birthday I would have left when they allowed a fight to take place where one of their staff was injured and hit their head and landed in the glass when they are certainly not paid enough to stop a fight.

Food was ok it wasn’t worth the price especially when the Ivy next door sells Black Cod for significantly less that the Asia does. Yea the place is gorgeous and Instagram heaven. The toilets are the original Ivy, not very accessible, but again female loos are pretty. The staff in the blue uniforms gave excellent service and were smiley and friendly , as for everyone else there’s other ways to let your paying customers know there’s a time limit on their table and maybe you should allow for short overlays and focus of drink service and food out on time and maybe you wouldn’t have to keep asking people to leave after they’ve easily just dropped £100 per person and then add a service charge for being rude. Needless to say I won’t be going back and Weill stick to...

The old adage “All fur cost but no knickers” comes to mind, when reflecting our unfortunate experience of The Ivy Asia in Brighton.

Appearance wise it is stunning, beautifully curated, clever use of space and comfortable seating. Sadly that is where the accolades end.

We booked to celebrate a family birthday. This was flagged on our reservation and the reception staff were prompted on arrival. However there was zero acknowledgment. We didn’t want a freebie, but a candle in the puddings would have being a nice touch!

We arrived late morning for brunch set menu. When we arrived we were one of two tables. We engaged the waiter to recommend cocktails, his response “I don’t drink” was somewhat bewildering, an irrelevance, or a cop out? Surely he had received training in the various cocktails? Or worked there long enough to have accrued a mental data base of recommendations based on previous guest experience. We duly ordered and after sometime, our cocktails were served.

We were given laminated menus! Really Ivy Asia, no matter what your reason - you are NOT. A greasy spoon.

We were a table of four. Choosing brunch from the brunch set menu, This involves choosing a “main course” with entrees and dessert being served automatically,

The wait for the entree - Edame beans and crisps with dip, was completely disproportionate to the lack of prep involved and the quiet restaurant.

Our mains arrived - or rather three did. Mine arrived as my fellow guests were almost half way through theirs.

The salmon with avocado, was decidedly underwhelming. 4 tiny cubes of avocado and the same of mango and avocado on cold sticky rice. The portion was small. Quite how this cold rice salad could be so delayed is unfathomable.

The chicken waffles. 2 circular waffles cut in half,,with 5 pieces of chicken nugget. One had syrup, the other didn’t. Trying to catch someone’s eye to rectify this was almost impossible. So rather than risk the dish getting cold, it was eaten. The verdict? Far too much waffle to meat, the sauce was overly sweet. We noticed the table behind us leave theirs almost untouched.

The belly pork was incredibly hot and spicy, maybe flag this on the menu?

Second cocktails orders, again a lengthy wait,

Whilst waiting for dessert, a waitress appears with a wet cloth to clean our table. And walked away leaving it very wet, she watched us use our napkins to dry it!!

Dessert. Mr Whippy ice cream with chocolate dipping sauce and doughnuts with berry’s (beautifully presented).

£100 on food - and almost £60 on drinks (2 cocktails , 4 mocktails )

Appallingly lack lustre service. But obviously service was added to the bill - the money taking part was the speediest part of the whole service!!

I approached the manager afterwards asking for a word, when he was free. He was too busy, but waved me in direction of another female manager in a red jacket. I managed to locate her. Her response to my feedback….”we will check CCTV!

Sorry Ivy Asia but based on our experience, we are truly the unpleasant stain in the side of the franchise. A complete and utter let down; disinterested staff (by the way maybe a quick uniform check prior to service, considering we arrived at the start of service, the amount of stained, bleach splattered, grimy uniforms was quite shocking!) underwhelming food and slow...