25 Mile

I have just returned from a lovely holiday in Wales and one of the highlights was 25 mile restaurant in Cardigan. If this restaurant does not win a michelin star there is definately something wrong in the world!

With a delightful menu where all produce is sourced from within 25 miles of the restaurant we were spoilt for choice on what delights to choose.

To start I chose the ham hock and pea bon bons that you dipped into caerphilly cheese fondue. The flavour of the bon bons blew me away & then to dip them into melted cheese - well it was just heaven on a plate. Jo had the mackerel and cockel quiche. Again a delightful dish, and I swear you could taste the love and effort that had gone into making it. It was light, with a perfectly crisp crust and balanced flavour.

For the mains we chose Steak and Vegetable Pie, with the best chips I have ever eaten (and ive eaten a few!) and the fish of the day, which was Dab. Dab is not for everyone as it is so boney and does require a lot of effort, however 25 mile managed to make each mouth full sing to my taste buds. Both dishes were cooked to perfection and it really was a shame that we had no room left for desert.

The wine list is perfectly matched to the menu with a great selection of burgundian wines, something that will always please me. I will definately be returning when next in the Cardigan area and I urge everyone out there to visit it too, it really is a gastronomic experience.

Marroco's

Ive alway gone to this restaurant for their above and beyond amazing ice cream. So i thought why not give their menu a test. You do really feel like you are on holiday when you eat here, this is probably why it is so popular with tourists to our great city.
If I was to score based on service im afraid Marroco's would score a pitiful 02 out of 10. We  waited 10 minutes to order our food, even the knowing/begging glance to the waiters couldnt get our food ordered!
We ordered the squid in black pepper to start - it was cooked beatifully but lacked seasoning (a theme which continued).
For our mains we ordered the Americano Pizza and Lobster Tagliatelle, The Pizza was a bit too doughy for our liking but the tomato sauce and Salami gave a great flavour to the overall dish. The Lobster Tagliatelle was drastically under seasoned and the Lobster quite dry. The mains were nice enough but nothing to get that excited about.
Marocco's is fortunate that it has such a great location, with a high volume of passing trade because im sure anyone who knows anything about seasoning would never return. It is almost like they fear an inspection from the salt & pepper police!
A dissapointing 4 out of 10.

La Fourchette

I was seriously starting to get worried that every review I gave was good. No need to worrry now!
The last time I had such an awful breakfast was at a little chef.
With over cooked dry, most probably reheated scambled eggs, dry leathery bacon, soggy cooked to death mushrooms and limp, paper thin indigestible white bread the only edible thing on the plate was the luke warm beans.

Whilst trying to eat this breakfast we could only look in awe at the pastries on display, why oh why didnt we choose these. Well known for their great coffee and pastries, I fear that the far below average breakfast on offer will seriously damage their reputation. No matter how good their sandwiches or pastries are I will never go back, I am scarred for life by their breakfast.

I only hope that everyone in Brighton and Hove reads this review and is spared the pain that Jo and I endured this saturday morning. La Fourchette gets an inedible 0 out of 10.

L'Eglise

After a stressful week I wanted to take my girlfriend out for a romantic meal for two. I chose L'Eglise in Hove and my god it didnt dissapoint. From the second we walked in the door we were impressed. The staff are extremely knowledgeable and attentive and the decor was perfect for a romantic meal.

The menu is typically french for example Moules and Frites and Onion Soup. We chose the cured meat sharing platter to start, washed down with an Organic Rioja. There were 6 diffferent meats on the platter, including Chorizo, Salami and Iberico Ham. Each piece of meat is like a flavour explosion in your mouth and we didnt want it end. The wine worked perfectly with the platter. A fantastic start to the meal.

There is only one word to descibe the main courses 'Delicious!' I chose the Confit of Duck and Jo the French Cut of Steak. The duck is the best I have ever had this side of the English Channel. Crispy on the outside and moist and flaky meat in the middle. It comes with a lentil and chick pea stew that perfectly compliments the meat. Jo chose the French Cut of steak, thank god I had the confit or there would have been serious food envy going on. Served with duck fat chips and lambs lettuce the steak was perfectly cooked. Jo loves her steak and for her to say it it is not only the best steak in Brighton, but the best she has ever had is saying something. As Jo took to so long to eat hers as she didnt want it to end I had plenty of time to try her steak; it was a great piece of meat cooked to perfection; it melted in my mouth. My plan worked to perfection ;)

With a classic french menu, a superb wine list and excellent service, L'Eglise gets my first 10 out of 10.
I highly recommend this restaurant to everyone in Brighton and Hove. We will definately be going back.

Skinny Mini Cakes

Alright I know this isnt a restaurant review its good old food review by the food inspector!

I had the great delight of sampling 'Skinny Mini Cakes' yesterday, Mississippi mud pie to be exact. One word 'Wow!' How anyone can get something to taste that amazing that is totally raw and completely good for you is beyond me.

I have been known to tip my toe into the raw world so finding this sweet treat will definately help me when i attempt to break by 10 day record (pitiful i know).

The thing that Jo (my partner, remember this as I do talk about her a lot) and I found most facinating was the cake actually tasted like it had a liqueur in it.

I can highly recommend these raw treats to everyone; coupled with Chai Vanilla Pukka tea it is pure good food heaven.

Thorne's Food

The canteen style of the restaurant is just what you want for a relaxing breakfast or brunch, coupled with attentive, knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Traditional, Continental and Child favourites are all available; of particular interest was the Egg and Marmite soldiers and French Toast with fruit compote! However, being a breakfast review we ordered the traditional fare of Eggs Benedict Royal and The Sussex (Traditional English).

We were served our food on piping hot plates and to be honest it took all my restraint not to jump straight in; we had photos to take! My eggs were cooked to perfection and the smoked salmon full of flavour and not too oily. The Sussex represents excellent value for money. The extra touch of home-made baked beans and bubble and squeak really does make a difference.

With this attention to taste and quality on a breakfast menu I can’t wait to go back for an evening meal. Thank you Thorne’s I have finally found a great Breakfast in Brighton!