Neil (14 July 2011)

Probably the best restaurant in Eastbourne! You must have their 'hot rocks' surf and turf and the service is friendly, accommodating and efficient. Brilliant evenings to be enjoyed - we love it.

Stuart (10 November 2009)

Station Street in Eastbourne is like a trendy little China Town, with restaurants, bars and it’s even got a tattoo parlour. Located a couple of minutes walk from the station and right in the heart of town, it is perfectly placed for a trendy party establishment or just a mellow place to have lunch or a coffee during the lunch break. We had planned to go for a few drinks in the Loft, cocktail bar after eating so we wanted to go and eat somewhere nearby and with roughly ten or more restaurants nearby we were spoilt for choice. Now it’s one thing to entrust a restaurant with your partner’s 40th birthday celebration, it’s another to entrust it to a restaurant you’ve not eaten at before, so why did we entrust it to Okto? Perhaps it was the huge café-style windows, corner bar and dark wood furniture that were reminiscent of a little continental restaurant that warmed us? A look at the menu however is the difference between ‘come in and have a closer look’ or ‘ouch, that’s expensive! Let’s try another place’. Oktos menu made my mouth water just looking at it and the prices were spot on as well. The average price of a main was £10.95 but you can have a main for under a tenner, which is pub price. When we went in we were greeted by Beth the manager, who was warm and professional and I think that was the clincher. If the place looks good, the prices look good and the staff are friendly it’s certainly an encouraging start off the blocks but will the food carry us through to the finish we thought? Of course, when I spied the Sussex bred rump steak on the menu, I thought well that’s me sorted but the rest of the menu was just as tempting, with both meat and vegetable dishes available.

Beth showed us the Skylight bar upstairs which we thought we might book out and was offered at no extra charge for the party. It’s spacious and has its own bar; however we opted to have a table downstairs on the street level as we were only 17. We booked the table, Beth sent us a menu to get everyone’s orders prior to the event and it all went smoothly. On the night we were greeted with the same hospitality from Beth and her staff. So how was the food I hear you ask as if you’re reading frantically to find the bit that went wrong? Well, I’m sorry to ruin your reading experience but it only gets better from here on in. First look at the plate and I instantly thought à la carte. Slightly smaller portions presented well on a clean plate with a splash of sauce but looks can be deceiving. The portion of steak was not at all small and perfectly cooked, tender and rich in flavour, the green beans were perfectly steamed and crispy in the mouth and the sauce complimented the whole thing and all for thirteen pounds. I was almost full after the main but I had to sample the pudding, orange cheesecake which was melt in the mouth stuff. The sigh of relief came upon hearing the comments from the rest of the group, all complimenting the food, testament to the chef and his efforts. With the birthday cake lit and brought over by Beth herself, it topped off a perfect meal with friends. I’m not into comparing Oktos with other restaurants in Eastbourne as everyone is after something different however, the prices are competitive and so is the food and if you want good hospitality along with a mouth watering meal you couldn’t do much better than Oktos and together with the Loft cocktail bar almost next door it’s the perfect night out in Eastbourne. My complements to Beth, her chef and her staff for a wonderful night and I will most certainly be back for more of that steak!