Kerry 's reviews
Review of Picasso's
14 May 08, 18:14
Quick and bargainous! 
I'm not even sure if that's actually a word but bear with me! Picasso's is one of a couple of VERY cheap Italians on Ship Street. It's not a place you need to book for...just wander in when you're hungry and they'll squeeze you in even if they have to put you in the kitchen!
The menu deals are excellent value and the food very decent. You'll receive a smiley welcome too. I'd describe it as 'fast food' but in a nice way...
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Review of Alfresco
13 May 08, 12:55
See the sea
Alfresco is the glass restaurant jutting out of the seafront at West Pier. It really is a great spot for a drink in the sunshine on their balcony. The restaurant is spread over two floors...the 'ground' floor is at pebble level so gets very busy on a sunny day.
You can hire the downstairs for parties/wedding receptions etc. The bar is right in the middle and there's plenty of space for a DJ as well as seating. The only downfall here is that the food really isn't all that. Don't get me wrong...it's not hideous it's just a bit bland and uninspiring. I've eaten in better Italian restaurants for sure. Oh and it's expensive too. Fortunately its location kind of makes up for it...but maybe just go for a drink!
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Review of Little Italy
07 May 08, 17:36
Hmmm 
Fed up of eating in the countless chains in the city centre we headed out to Moseley for something a bit more 'soulful' if you know what I mean.
We were recommended Little Italy as a good local independent Italian restaurant but were really disappointed. The food is very expensive for what it is...£8 for pasta with a tomato sauce. Sadly it didn't live up to it's price tag...just not that tasty and our food reached our table way too quick to be freshly made. And although some may find it charming it really does need a lick of paint or three...and maybe a couple of pictures on the artexed walls would help. Shame really...it could have a lot of potential.
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Review of Fratelli
27 Apr 08, 19:24
The newborn... 
...of the Donatello family but far less likely to be full of hen parties and large birthday crowds.
Fratelli's strong point is the service there. It's impeccable. The staff are confident, polite and efficient without buzzing around annoying you. They offer a set menu or a la carte so the choice is yours. I'm a fairly simple eater when it comes to Italian food...Caprese Salad to start (juicy tomatoes, perfect mozarella) and Spaghetti Napoli for main (very tasty indeed...and lots of it). A very pleasant way to spend an evening for sure...can't wait for the summer so I can try out their roof terrace. Worth a visit.
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Review of Reggina's Restaurant
27 Apr 08, 18:25
Gorgeous
The village of Botley is just beautiful...I was brought up in a neighbouring village and love the whole area. As a grown up I've eaten at Reggina's several times when visiting the family and it really is excellent.
The building is lovely...seating is available on two floors...and the fact the restaurant is always busy is very reassuring. The food is tasty and interesting...far more authentic Italian food than many other restaurants claim to serve. It's one of those places you'll want to spend your entire evening...this is too good for a quick bite. You'll want to take time over your food...enjoy the extremely relaxed atmosphere and only leave when the staff start switching things off around you!
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Review of Frankie & Benny's
26 Apr 08, 17:23
Does the job
Frankie & Benny's is of course a chain but I've only been to the Brighton one at the Marina. It's not my favourite restaurant by any stretch but the staff are lively and efficient and the food is as you'd expect...pizzas, burgers, pasta etc. From a personal point of view they don't have a great deal of choice for veggies. Their mushroom ravioli is very tasty though!
This is the perfect place for families...it's the kind of place I'd have loved as a kid. So to that end there's always lots of nippers in there. Oh and birthdays...always at least three of them in the restuarant on a weekend. You don't have to join in with the singsongs that the staff fire up...but I usually do. Well why not?!
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Review of Mimmo's Bistro
25 Apr 08, 22:20
Shopping fuel
Mimmo's is located bang smack in the middle of Ashton Lane...climb the steps up towards the incredible smells drifting out of the door.
The food is really very good...it has an authentic Italian feel as opposed to the endless 'fast food' Italian chains you'll find in town. We ate here at lunchtime desperately in need of a major feed and we weren't disappointed. Everyone needs a good portion at some point during the day let's face it.
On the downside the staff were a little surly...our waiter looked positively put out when we first walked in. It also lacks atmosphere...we almost felt like we had to keep our voices down it was so quiet in there despite there being plenty of other diners. Maybe it's different in the evening. We'll give them the benefit of the doubt because of the fanastic food. See...I'm nice I am.
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Review of Pomodoro E Mozzarella
21 Apr 08, 12:38
Decent Italian grub
I really like Pomodoro...I'm not from Eastbourne but have eaten there a fair few times with mates who live in the area. We used to go on work nights out there too when I worked nearby. You do tend to know what you're going to get when you go Italian but the food and staff here are just that bit better.
The staff are very welcoming and genuinely bothered about how your evening is going in their restaurant. They don't fuss around you but make sure you have absolutely everything you need as soon as you need it. You'll certainly leave there pleasantly full up and all for a good price too. It's in the perfect location for heading off into town...well worth a visit.
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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 Plough Inn
18 Apr 08, 18:48
Astonishingly good 
Ok...I admit...The Plough at Pyecombe holds a special place in my heart. I had my first date there with my other half...awww.
We go there pretty regularly now and not just because of the fuzzy, warm feeling it gives us but because it really is one of the best pubs I've ever been to. It's really easy to get to as it's just off the A23 as you leave Brighton. It's got a nice cosy bar at the front with a great selection of real ales (apparently...I'm a geeky tee-totaller) and fantastic bar food.
You'll find the spacious restaurant in the huge conservatory attached to the back of the pub. The menu is Italian and Mexican...and it's huge! The food is incredibly good and very reasonable considering the size of the portions. They do a crackin' roast on a Sunday too. I've never found a single flaw with the place and I've been there more times than I can remember.
The staff are real characters too and treat you like long lost family members even if you've never met them before. Just a real winner all round. Surely I've said enough to tempt you...
Oh and I nearly forgot the stunning garden that backs onto the Downs...beautiful!
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Review of Otello Restaurant
15 Apr 08, 18:41
One of many...
...Italian restuarants in Hove but this one gives you a really good feed for a decent price. What I'm basically trying to tell you is BIG PORTIONS!
I'm a veggie and never disappointed by the choice available to me pasta or pizza wise but my carnivorous mates tell me the Rossini steak is bloomin' amazing. It's this big chunk of fillet steak balanced on a generous crouton topped with pate and smothered with a creamy, rich brandy and mushroom sauce (think I could get a job writing this stuff?!). Doesn't appeal to me personally but I've seen people literally dribbling over it.
If you're so hungry you could eat a scabby horse then this is the place for you. And it doesn't just fill a big hole...it does it with very hearty and tasty Italian fare.
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