[Food] Restaurant 2025

Guinness Boy said:

MANJUS

Anyone who was reading the Chinese v Curry thread yesterday might have seen that an old mate of mine came down for a beer, a curry and a catch up last night. We both arrived in town by train so had a couple of pre dinner beers in The Albert and then tried to decide where to eat. We were in the mood for flock wallpaper, sitar music, base sauces and pilau rice. And there is literally nowhere that is near to the station that does that sort of thing.

So, a choice. Uber it over to Ganges / Ashoka or walk down the road to Manjus, which is next to the George.

My mate is vegetarian so, despite a fear of small plates, in that you can easily end up over or under ordering, we took the walk. Time for this carnivore to reappraise vegetarian food with someone who appreciates it and knows good from bad.

It is the literal opposite of what we first thought we'd do. And it's great. Or mostly great.

Poppadums were just that but the chutneys with them were home made and unique, each one having a slightly different balance of sweet and spice. The chilli paneer starter was incredible, authentic Indo Chinese absolutely laced in spice but with complex sweetness following. The paneer masala and dosa curries were equally good, each served with more home made condiments and each balancing spice and flavour. I was worried that a mostly protein free meal of small plates would leave me feeling hungry. We left stuffed. But.......

Service is excellent and friendly and we tipped. However, I can't help feeling it's all a bit too pleased with itself. The food arrives and the waiter gives you a description of it's history and provenance, how it came to be in India, what they made it with, even how long the preserve their lemons for. And, because it's small with tables virtually next to each other you then get to hear them repeat the same story word for word to the next table. The Set used to do this and I never went back because of it. And the atmosphere? It's almost reverent. Like people are so pleased with the authenticity they've forgotten to speak. Of course, matey and I who haven't seen each other for a while and were four pints in were engaged in loud conversation. I couldn't help feeling we were wrecking evenings.

It is the best vegetarian meal I have ever had. It is probably the most authentic Indian meal I've had since spending months in Chennai for work. They prepare everything with love. The ingredients are incredible and they have real passion for what they do. But it is a FOODIE experience and we really wanted base sauce, Cobra, vindaloo and loud, convivial chatter. That sort of place doesn't seem to exist in Brighton any more so next time I'll go up to his.

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Hotchilidog said:

Went to Embers in Meeting House Lane on saturday, it was absolutely terrific.

Another small plates restaurant that really delivered hugely on the flavours from its wood-fired oven. Also the spicy Margherita was superb. My friends all took advantage of the meat, but the menu was vegan friendly for me and the celeriac main course was just off the charts.

We liked it so much we are going back for a birthday meal in April. Really one of the best meals out I have had in ages.

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Sirnormangall said:

A request: wherever you go, if you want to give a tip please give it in cash - otherwise it may not reach the staff.

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ROSM said:

Over the last 3 weeks have eaten at 3 great places

Sabar Thai

Had a great vegetarian hors douvres followed by 3 different tofu curries (penang, masaman and yellow) with stir fried veg and holy basil/chilli and sticky rice, egg fried rice and vegetable rice

Great value at 150 for 4 people with cocktails (chilli mojito was excellent)

Terre a terre

Always a favourite..this time has the terre a tapas with extra fried olives followed by the sharing desserts . 2 cocktails and a bottle of horsmandean dry white and 2 dessert wines..came in at 150 for 2 so pricey but wonderful food with a real balance of flavours. My favourite is still the better battery deep fried halloumi with chips, vodka infused tomato, quails egg and home made tartare sauce

VIP saltdean

Again a great meal with a balance of pasta (the spinach cannelloni is great), build your own pizza and mushroom ravioli

Had the piccante dough balls, caprese salad and mozzarella en carrozza as starters. Lovely melon and blood orange spritz and chianti to drink. All at £35 a head for 4 drinking adults

They also do roasts on a Sunday.. the vegetarian was a mushroom Wellington with a choice of chicken or beef for omnivores. Portions looked huge!

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ROSM said:

VIP saltdean

Again a great meal with a balance of pasta (the spinach cannelloni is great), build your own pizza and mushroom ravioli

Had the piccante dough balls, caprese salad and mozzarella en carrozza as starters. Lovely melon and blood orange spritz and chianti to drink. All at £35 a head for 4 drinking adults

They also do roasts on a Sunday.. the vegetarian was a mushroom Wellington with a choice of chicken or beef for omnivores. Portions looked huge!

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One Love said:

Never been there, is it as good as the Brighton one?

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BrightonCottager said:

Vel, St George's Rd, Kemptown

I went with MrsBC after a hospital appointment last week. It's 5 minutes south of the County.
It's a South Indian cafe with a long menu. As a 'gora', I was heavily outnumbered by the other customers. We shared a lovely masala dosa (though the accompanying sambar relish was a bit stale). Cracking rice idlis, Dal palak curry (though bit pricey at £11.59), bhindi & butter naan. We stuck to softdrinks. I could hardly move afterwards. Cost was £57.60 which I thought was good value - we could have got away with one less dish.
8/10

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deletebeepbeepbeep said:

Sounds like I'll need to make a trip into deepest Kemptown sometimes soon.

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dazzer6666 said:

That’s illegal….

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CHAPPERS said:

Had a pretty average meal at an old favourite, Busby and Wilds, a couple of weeks ago. The menu is a little tired (calamari to start, steak, fish and chips, burgers, that kind of thing) and the cooking was only okay. Their sticky toffee pudding is still best in class though. Can't see them lasting too much longer as the place was empty apart from 6 of us eating and couple having drinks at 8:30 pm on a Saturday (albeit a week before Valetines). 6.2/10

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Restaurant set to close after plans approved to convert it into houses

A restaurant looks set to close after plans were approved to convert it into houses, given the green light by Brighton and Hove City Council recently

www.theargus.co.uk