Gary (28 July 2010)

My girlfriend and I visited the newly opened Cote in Brighton for our anniversary dinner last Saturday evening. We were very excited about the opening of a new restaurant in the area and even more so as it was French cuisine - we were not disappointed. Housed in the old music library opposite the Dome, Cote is a very authentic looking and feeling French, bistro style restaurant. We noted that it had a very similar atmosphere and approach to ‘Chez Denise’ in Paris where we had eaten on a previous trip. The drink selection is very good with a reasonably priced wine list. We started with moulle frite our personal favourite, and had the beef to share from the specials list as mains - chateau haut pezat red wine to accompany. We could just about manage the shared cheese board to finish and enjoyed armagnac and bailey's afterwards. There was no urgency for us to return the table and the staff were attentive but not irritatingly so. They were all friendly and a particular mention has to go to Genevieve, the manager, who was kind, friendly, genuine and very much in control of a very well run floor. We will be back again and again and have already decided to take family there soon. The lunch deals also seem very reasonable. Having just moved back to South after seven years in London, it is a great pleasure to see a restaurant which is setting a new standard for Brighton. Eat your heart out Jamie Oliver. The total bill was just £115 including service and drinks.