Restaurant-Guide.com
hand picked restaurants

Brighton is a resort of many faces when it comes to all sorts of things, but not least is it apparent in the numbers of places to eat, ranging from the very grand to the extremely humble, but all with their own public, their own ideas and ambitions, their own successes and setbacks.

Owners Ken Handley and Jane Hughes took a conscious decision that they wanted to set up their first restaurant doing things their way. As passionate believers in quality over quantity they had no previous experience, but they had eaten out a good deal and seldom if ever did they find the results 100% appealing. Cynics might say they never will, but not only is this not true it is also pretty negative.

The result of all this is Seasons Café Bar and Bistro to give its full title, where an analysis of their success reveals that vital key, attention to detail. If you read their mission creed you'll begin to understand just how this colours their whole approach. It starts with location, in the heart of Brighton, in the North Laine only five minutes from the railway station one way and the night life the other. Reference to their opening times will show careful research, and at any day except Monday when they are enjoying life beyond running a café/bistro, they open at 10am.

Located on Middle Street in the centre of Brighton, Gobi serves authentic Mongolian barbecue cuisine, with buffet style-dining in a chic and stylish environment. The large and spacious restaurant is perfect for groups of families and friends, with the music and the ambience setting the vibrant mood. The restaurant uses locally sourced produce including fresh poultry and vegetables wherever possible.

The varied range of set menus includes meat and fish delicacies which the barbeque chefs can spice and flavour according to the tastes of the individual diner. Vegetarians are also catered for with tofu replacing meat in many of the dishes on offer. For those still hungry for more, there are a range of chocolate desserts, such as chocolate fondue with a choice of Turkish delight, profiteroles, marsh mallows or fruit.

The drinks menu includes a range of wine, beer and cocktails are also served, with the restaurant's in-house liquor, Yakbit being much in demand.

Kambi's is a fully licensed Persian and Lebanese restaurant with a thoroughly modern vibe and buzzing atmosphere. Authentic Middle Eastern cuisine is prepared in the open kitchen providing a window onto a health conscious and delicious world of mixed grills, seasonal seafood dishes, vegetarian specialties with fresh snacks and salads to suit any palate. The Arabian flavours are all there and with thirty five covers only the place has a wonderfully cosy air which whisks you away to another civilisation.

Kambi's has been on Western Road for twenty years during which time it has built up a loyal customer base, though it is still attracting many new ones for its mix of takeaway, delivery, lunch and evening replenishment. Kambi's only use 100% natural ingredients for everything on their menu and their helpful staff are always happy to answer any questions that you might have about their food.

Pinnochio is a very popular, reasonably priced Italian restaurant, which is highly favoured by theatre-goers due to its close proximity from the Theatre Royal in Brighton. Its relaxed and comfortable surroundings create an ambiance in which to enjoy a hearty meal at all times.

The menu is wide ranging, with a choice of pizzas, like the Pinocchio special with tomato, mozzarella cheese, sausage, olives, mushroom, artichokes, prawns, peppers and anchovies, and pastas such as fusilli alla diavola, tomato, spicy sausage, black olives, garlic and cream or tagliatelli alla salmone, with cream, smoked salmon and tomato.

Starters could include Parma ham with melon or avocado; grilled sardines or mussels in tomato, garlic and parsley, followed by main courses such as breast of chicken in a garlic, mushroom and white wine sauce; veal escalope alla Milanese, fried in breadcrumbs and served with spaghetti pomodoro or monkfish fillets cooked in an extra virgin olive oil, garlic, tomato, white wine and parsley sauce.

Frankie and Benny's combine classic American and Italian in both style and cuisine. They specialise in home style cooking 'just like Mamma used to make it'. This is a great place to take the entire family and represents excellent value for money. The restaurant and bar is suitable for any occasion, whether it's a leisurely lunch, a family meal or a fantastic evening with friends - they make sure you have a wonderful time.

Walking into the restaurant is like stepping back into 1950s New York, from the clatter and chatter of the open kitchen to the bottle lined bar. Walls with black and white family photographs showing life in Brooklyn's 'Little Italy' surround cosy booth seating and tables. Combined with the classic music of the fifties, a mix of American swing and beat, they definitely provide a fun and friendly atmosphere for all to enjoy.

Frankie and Benny's offers starters, main courses and delicious desserts, and favourites include char-grilled burgers, pizzas, pastas, steaks and house specialities such as chicken parmigiana, BBQ ribs, lamb shank and much more. The bar serves a wide range of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.

Start with sticky wings, crispy coated chicken strips, tiger prawn skewer or Frankie's fried calamari and if you are dining in a group choose the giant sampler platter. The pastas, calzone and pizzas are all made freshly on order. An interesting dish on the menu is a the Boston 7 speciality pizza fully loaded with slices of pork meatballs, spicy pepperoni, ham, crispy bacon, chicken, peppers and red onion, served on a BBQ sauce base. They also serve a variety of sandwiches and burgers throughout the day.

A good value lunch menu is available on weekdays from 11am until 5pm offering a range of popular dishes from the main carte with one course at £5.95, two courses at £7.95 and three courses at £8.95.

For children up to the age of eleven, an all-inclusive menu features a selection of main courses, desserts and drinks starting at £3.95. As an added treat, they'll also receive an activity pack to entertain them whilst you eat.

Enjoy an American Italian meal at Frankie and Benny's with freshly prepared food and warm hospitality that makes you feel right at home.

Gourmet Burger Kitchen was the brainchild of three New Zealanders, who craved after the way that food tasted back home. The chain was instrumental in changing the perception of many people who saw the traditional burger purely as a fast food option; instead they are now seen as more sophisticated products, made using fresh, good quality ingredients.

Their first outlet opened in Battersea and today there are forty-one serving scrumptious burgers. Chef Peter Gordon believes in using innovative combinations, with good quality English chicken and Aberdeen Angus Scotch beef among the ingredients, to make nutritious and convenient to eat fare. They offer chorizo and sweet potato, lamb and minted relish, or the vegetarian portabella mushroom among others. GBK sauces and accompaniments add to their taste.

The menu has nearly thirty different choices and if you feel like biting into pure beef, do try their classic burger with salad and relish - available with or without cheese, this is served with sauces like smoked mayo, spicy satay, fresh chilli and Thai red curry, lending the meal varying degrees of spice.

Some, like the Kiwi, are made using unusual raw materials such as beetroot, fried egg and pineapple, while for fans of chicken, the grilled breast with streaky bacon, salad and avocado is a delicious combination. There are a surprising number of burgers suitable for vegetarians with versions made from puy lentils, potato, green curry or aubergine served with goats' cheese and sun blushed tomatoes. Fresh fruit juices, soft drinks and milkshakes are alcohol free options.

A welcome list of wines and beers complete the picture of a relaxed and modern environment as Gourmet Burger King excels in making the humble burger taste so good.

Inspired by what ordinary people are eating in Italy, Jamie's Italian in Brighton's Black Lion Street offers rustic, simple dishes made with high quality seasonal ingredients.  Feel right at home tucking into the wholesome tasty fare. 

Antipasti of baked chestnut mushrooms with music paper bread and smoked buffalo mozzarella, crispy rice balls stuffed with smoked buffalo mozzarella and porcini mushrooms and served with a spicy arrabiata dressing or English wild boar salami sets the ball rolling. You could follow it up with wild truffle tagliatelle, rabbit ragù pappardelle or prawn linguine. Mains options include bone in grilled lamb chops served with creamy artichoke and mint sauce, roasted nuts, chilli and fresh mint or roasted king scallops with crispy pancetta, served on fresh tomato salsa with crunchy shaved fennel and lemon salad. Sweet treats of chocolate and espresso tart with sticky glazed figs and Amalfi lemon curd with toasted pistachios conclude a hearty meal. The compact, all Italian wine list promises more delights.