Brighton has long had a taste for the unusual, dating from the time of the Prince Regent with his extravagant, oriental style Pavilion marking the establishment of Brighton as a spa town. Since then there has always been room for the agreeably flamboyant, different from the herd ventures, where the unexpected can be made to succeed.

All this comes against the background of the sea and a maritime climate, and Brighton, only a short run from London, has long been popular with those seeking the benefits of the briny. Into this promising aura steps The Terraces, with a truly striking building that induces thoughts of being at sea in some luxurious cruise liner.

The upstairs rotunda houses an elegant coffee bar and plenty of open air space for catching the sun or the eye of a companion with whom to share the coffee, patisseries and toasted sandwiches that are a feature of this area. Capacious leather sofas encourage the occasional gentle nap as the sunny hours pass by and the sea washes gently below.

A Mediterranean full grill menu operates on both levels all day, inside or out to suit your whim. For early arrivals, indeed arrivals at any time, the hearty all day mixed grill provides a ready welcome and good foundation for whatever the day may hold. Does rib-eye steak, lamb chop, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, mushroom, potato bread and a poached egg appeal?

Amongst the smaller plates expect to find soup of the day, organic veggie chips, chargrilled asparagus, or bruschetta and mozzarella. Larger plates, the main courses of the day include a crock of fresh mussels served in white wine, with crusty bread, a mascarpone rigatoni with a light tomato sauce topped off with Parmesan shavings.

Fresh oysters are serve au natural on a bed of crushed ice and fresh seaweed, a warm chicken Caesar salad comes with crisp cos lettuce generously scattered with basil and olive oil croutons, fresh parmesan shavings and smothered in a creamy Caesar dressing, or try the butternut squash, baked in a tagine with aubergines, peppers, onions, courgettes and saultanas in a Mediterranean tomato, turmeric and cinnamon sauce, served with a chunk of crusty bread.

A tender fillet steak, cooked to your liking, is served with an oyster mushroom sauce, chunky cut chips and a mixed leaf salad, no other encumbrances, or a personal favourite, lamb shank, with tender lamb braised in a tagine with aubergine, peppers, onions, courgettes and prunes in a turmeric and paprika sauce, serve with a chunk of crusty bread.

Terraces bar and grill offers customers a relaxed approach to fit any occasion. Whatever you want, the team will endeavour to give you and your guests an experience as consistently satisfying as the breathtaking views across Brighton's seafront. The Terraces also have a spacious and self-contained area perfect for private functions & events when entertaining friend, family or clients, we can tailor-make packages suitable for all tastes and budgets.

The heart of a place like Terraces is always going to be the bar, here with table service leaving you free to maximise your intake of sun as you enjoy some of the more traditional offerings, classic Pimms, tuscan mule, mai thai, kir royale and appropriately enough a southern sunset. With house champagne at £40 at bottle or £6.75 a glass the day is yours.