Kerry 's reviews
Review of Western Front
20 Apr 08, 17:35
Perfect shopping fuel 
The best thing about Western Front is that it isn't one of the many chains that you normally end up in for lunch when you're out shopping all day. It's just at the bottom of the steps as you come out of Chuchill Square at the H&M end. During the day you can sit out on the pavement...plate full of nachos and a large cold drink watching the loony world of Brighton drift by. Upstairs there are big sofas in front of huge windows that over-look the shoppers so it's just as good a vantage point when the weather's bad.
It's not plush inside by any means...wooden floors...wooden tables and chairs (even a pew or two I think) and a rickety staircase that takes you upstairs. It's got that 'Brighton' feel to it though...friendly, funky staff and good music on the stereo. The lunch menu is extensive and includes gems like ham, egg & chips, fish finger sandwiches and of course the aforementioned stack of nachos. Apparently they're for two people...no-one told me that!
I've been in The Western Front a couple of times during the evening too and it's usually packed with the usual Brighton mix of Indie kids and the like. When I say kids though I mean the grown up variety...it's not rammed with 18 year olds. Don't worry...they're all in Yates' on West Street.
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Review of Village Inn
19 Apr 08, 17:43
Unimpressed 
I'm from the Swanwick area originally and used to drink in the Village Inn with all my mates back in the day...good times.
Many years on and the place has had a full re-fit and is now part of the Ember Inns chain (think that's what it's called anyway). I went there for lunch a few Sundays ago when I was visiting the family. We were pleased to find the access was good for those with mobility problems...my nan was able to get to our table without there being any annoying steps for her to tackle.
The food however is really very uninspiring. There wasn't much on the menu by way of veggie options and the one thing I really fancied they didn't have. I went for the rice noodles with chinese vegetables and halloumi. Strange combination I know! The noodles were all clamped together as is the effect when it comes straight out of the microwave and the halloumi had just been melted over the top. Very odd indeed. Granted it is very cheap but that really is its only saving grace. Mind you the staff are very pleasant...so not all bad.
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Review of Mr Hau's Oriental Express
19 Apr 08, 17:21
Quick and satisfying
My mate Julie has banged on about Mr Hau's for years so the last time I visited her in Eastbourne, we went there for our tea.
This is the takeway/cafe version of Mr Hau's...the restaurant is a couple of doors up. The 'Express' is brightly lit and bustling with people. The tables are plastic with fixed seats...so pretty basic. The food, however, is amazing. I ordered bean curd with Chinese mushrooms and noodles and it was some of the best I've ever tasted. It was still sizzling when it arrived at the table...straight out of the wok...really fresh. The portions are huge too although being the greedy girl I am I managed to polish it all off without too much trouble.
The staff are rushed off their feet but smiley and polite and happy to have your custom whatever you order.
If you're looking for a quick but very tasty meal then Mr Hau is for you. No doubt the restaurant is just as good.
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Review of The Rodmill
19 Apr 08, 17:12
Good lunchtime pub 
I used to work at the college across the road from The Rodmill so it was great to pop to for lunch when there was a birthday in the office...or for any other reason for that matter.
It's a big pub with plenty of seating and lots of different sections so you don't feel like you're rattling about in there. It had a full re-fit in the past couple of years so it's comfortable and clean. The pub grub is decent and pretty cheap too...just all round good value.
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful.
Review of Zizzi
19 Apr 08, 16:44
Top notch Italian
Yes...I know it's a chain but that is totally irrelevant. Zizzi is right up there when it comes to serving high quality, authentic Italian food.
There's not just your usual endless lists of pizza and pasta options on the menu...it's more than that. I love their bruchetta starter with goats cheese and walnuts. Gorgeous!
The restaurant itself is fairly large without being impersonal and seating is available on two floors. As it's bang, smack in the middle of the South Lanes are of Brighton you won't be able to park nearby but you should be using public transport anyway!
The staff and prices are decent too...well worth a visit.
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Review of Hotel Du Vin & Bistro
19 Apr 08, 16:02
Classy
I've never eaten at the Hotel du Vin but have spent many an hour curled up on their cosy sofas putting the world to rights with my boy. We like sitting up on the mezzanine and watching world below us. Ooh and they have a posh snooker table too of you fancy a game or two.
The whole place is very relaxed...including the staff which means they can be a little slow with the service. That doesn't matter though because they'll bring your drinks to you so just get comfy and take it all in whilst you wait.
I've heard from many that the restaurant is fantastic if not a little expensive. I'd love to eat there on a special occasion...are you listening boy?!
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Review of Anchor Inn
18 Apr 08, 23:33
A beautiful spot...
...once you find it!
I recently visited The Anchor at Barcombe on many friends' recommendations. After getting lost a couple of times we found the long country lane that takes you all the way there. In fairness it was pretty well sign-posted. I'm just a bit dense.
The pub is situated right on the river and is really very gorgeous. It was a sunny early spring day and the place was full of locals and families and walkers and their dogs. We ordered Sunday lunch and it was warm enough to sit out in the sizeable garden to eat it. The food is excellent although a tiny bit pricey but that didn't put us off in the slightest. Oh and then there was the sticky toffee pudding and custard I had for dessert. Oh. My. Word.
Most certainly worth a visit on a hazy, lazy Sunday.
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Review of Gourmet Burger Kitchen
18 Apr 08, 23:21
Wow...that is a big'un!
GBK (as it's affectionately known) is the perfect place to stuff your face whether it's at the end of a hard day of shopping, before a big night out for lining of the stomach or because you're off to Komedia in an hour's time and can't face their nachos again.
I'm a veggie and was concerned when I walked in that my options would be limited. WRONG! There's plenty for us non-eaters-of-things-with faces. If I remember rightly I had the falafel last time and it was nearly as tall as me. It was smothered in cool yoghurt and cucumber dressing...yum.
Definitely worth a visit...you won't spend your whole evening there but it is high-quality 'fast' food.
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Review of The Brighton Dome
18 Apr 08, 23:12
I heart The Dome 
What a venue this is.
Probably the best in Brighton because of its size (big...but not too big), beautiful decor and fantastic (relatively new) bar area with its mezanine floor. Of course what really does it is the huge range of live entertainment at The Dome.
Of all the stuff on offer I love to see bands there the most. It depends who you see as to whether they leave the stalls in or not but for the most part you can pretty much choose whether you stand or sit. I saw Rufus Wainwright there last summer and that would have to go down as one of my all time favourite gigs...the fact that it was at The Dome was a huge part of that.
If you've never been I suggest you get to their website, pick something that suits your taste and get there as soon as possible. I promise you'll re-visit time and again.
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Review of Honey Club
18 Apr 08, 23:06
Am I too old?!
It might just be my age but I think I've had it with the Honey Club.
I've been maybe 3 times in the past 18 months and just didn't really like it much. Don't get me wrong they book some seriously good DJs but I just don't feel at ease there. There seems to be a little bit of an attitude about the place at times...there's too much primping and preening in the ladies and people generally seem too bothered about what they're wearing to have a proper good time.
Not only that but it is REALLY expensive...when you have to pay £15 just to get through the door on certain nights it does leave a bit of a bad taste in your mouth and the drinks are equally as extortionate.
Blimey...I really do sound old. Think I best get to bed with a nice cup of Horlicks.
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