Best Italian restaurant, Brighton and Hove - please

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Braggfan

In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
May 12, 2014
1,982
Very good and worth a mention but it doesnt mean their food or service at the restaurant is good and value for money.

I'll be honest I'm slightly staggered that somebody would feel the need to write in after somebody's praise of their charity, to say "but they're still sh1t". I know I'm paraphrasing there, but that is what you're saying there. It must be a dark dark world you live in.
 




The Clamp

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Jan 11, 2016
26,182
West is BEST
Franco's, Victoria Terrace, Hove. Near the King Alfred. Best food and service I've had in a restaurant for a long time. Best in B&H by a long way
 


ditchy

a man with a sound track record as a source of qua
Jul 8, 2003
5,251
brighton
For cheap and cheerful i love going to Bella Napoli in the Marina . been there years and run by same family .
 


Gwylan

Well-known member
Jul 5, 2003
31,827
Uffern
This Casalingo on a whole different level to the others mentioned. My favourite Italian by a country mile - be sure to book though.

Yeah, Casalingo is really good too. I think the food's better at Capaninna but Casalingo is right up there too.
 


Gilliver's Travels

Peripatetic
Jul 5, 2003
2,922
Brighton Marina Village
For cheap and cheerful i love going to Bella Napoli in the Marina . been there years and run by same family .

It is indeed. But the only problem is they do the same old stuff, for a predictably dull mainstream Brit palate, and too often it's just not very good.

We live here, love the buzz and the people, but reluctantly eat elsewhere now, with Casaligo way beyond what poor old Bella Napoli can manage.

Such a pity, because the Marina is crying out for some proper, independent, family-owned restaurants that serve sonething original, and tasty.
 




Notters

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2003
24,889
Guiseley
Although with a reputation of being "cheap and cheerful", Donatellos takes a lot of beating. Al Duomo is a little up-market, but the food is not a lot better than Donatellos if at all. And they've pumped a lot of money in to the Albion.

It really doesn't, I haven't been anywhere worse. One of the worst restaurants I've been to anywhere for service (unless, as said above, it's improved a lot recently) and food I would be ashamed to cook myself.
 
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ditchy

a man with a sound track record as a source of qua
Jul 8, 2003
5,251
brighton
It is indeed. But the only problem is they do the same old stuff, for a predictably dull mainstream Brit palate, and too often it's just not very good.

We live here, love the buzz and the people, but reluctantly eat elsewhere now, with Casaligo way beyond what poor old Bella Napoli can manage.

Such a pity, because the Marina is crying out for some proper, independent, family-owned restaurants that serve sonething original, and tasty.

Don't make you wrong G T but for a quick cheap bit of pasta it beats all the chains in the Marina . They are also not bound by the menu and will cook something different if you ask , unlike the many chains around !.I too wished a decent non chain restaurant would open on the new waterfront but alas . Heres hoping it will in the future
 


Mackenzie

Old Brightonian
Nov 7, 2003
34,009
East Wales
It was always Al Duomo until they did it up and ruined it, then Al Forno until it burnt down. Bella Napoli down the marina is my favourite now.
 




BensGrandad

New member
Jul 13, 2003
72,015
Haywards Heath
I'll be honest I'm slightly staggered that somebody would feel the need to write in after somebody's praise of their charity, to say "but they're still sh1t". I know I'm paraphrasing there, but that is what you're saying there. It must be a dark dark world you live in.

If you read my post you will see I praised them for their charity work but pointed out that was no guarantee of food or service for the majority of paying customers that was my point as people were asking which was the best. I never knocked their charity work at all. I was you who brought their charity work into the thread.
 


Braggfan

In the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
May 12, 2014
1,982
Yeah that's the point right there, I mentioned there charity work and you're response was "they're still sh1te". Which is pretty tight in my opinion. Good luck with that
 






Notters

Well-known member
Oct 20, 2003
24,889
Guiseley
Not a lot of people realise this, but Donatello's provide soup for the Brighton soup run everyday of the year for free. They never advertise that they do this, they just quietly do it because they are decent people.

I didn't know this, thank you.
 


Triggaaar

Well-known member
Oct 24, 2005
53,135
Goldstone
Thank you all for the recommendations. We've had a good few threads on Burgers and Curries, just couldn't find one on Italian. Looks like some good recommendations here.
 










Jesus Gul

Well-known member
Feb 23, 2004
5,513
There's a decent Italian deli queens road not far from station. Great paninis and salads. Gelato and biscotti. Never seemed full though.
 






Shinbreath

Member
Nov 1, 2008
512
Hove...
I'll second Franco's and I've been there a few times. Have found the food and service consistently good each time and would not hesitate to go their again.

For a more fine dining experience Mediterraneo, which is kind of opposite the Duke of Yorks at Preston Circus, is an absolute must. It was No1 restaurant in Brighton on Trip Advisor a short while ago and the food and service is superb.

They are a husband and wife team who are real foodies and they get genuine produce shipped over from Sicily on a regular basis so it's the real deal. They even visit vineyards from that region to hand pick their wines. (You may have guessed, they are Sicillian themselves)

And it's very reasonably priced. I would honestly defy anyone to eat better without the fine dining price tag!! Stepping into their beautiful restaurant is like stepping into "Little Sicily".
 


Laptop Ell

Laptop Specialist!
Dec 25, 2003
200
Hove, East Sussex
Casalingo in Preston Street is a high class italian, with an above average price tag, but if I want a good italian meal, I don't care about the money.

You need to book as it's always busy.

Ant & Dec + Patrick Stewart have been there, so it must be good!
Check out the photos on their Facebook page.
 


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