We’ve got a new segment for you – a place where every other week we’ll fill you in – in brief – on all the recent and future food and drink happenings you need to know about, from new openings and deals to the hottest tickets in town. As this is the first edition, we’ve gone back a little further to include openings from late March/early April.
There’s change afoot at Brighton’s beachside food hall! Four new kitchens opened on the first May bank holiday weekend – nostalgic ice-cream bars from Happy Endings, epic pizza slices from Yeastie Boys Pizza Club, Crudo Mexican are bringing their street food over from Worthing and Rudi’s Burgers are serving up deep-filled burger joy. They’re joining the beautiful bao buns at Little Bao Boy, Greek-Australian The 3 Little Pigs Souvlaki and London fried chicken supremos Coqfighter. From Friday 3rd May.
shelterhall.co.uk
Another BOTI fave, Med have changed things around a bit, moving towards more of a bar-with-food vibe. Over the bank holiday weekend, the buzzy restaurant in the Lanes got a brand-new open kitchen and ditched the fixed-price set menu in favour of a more flexible selection of small plates that they’ll change up regularly. New dishes include pork belly, crispy mussels and maple apple ketchup; BBQ salmon, crab and calamansi; and tomato, blood orange and kaffir lime. The restyle really opens up the space and there’s the added benefit of being able to watch the chefs at work while you sup on one of their excellent seasonal cocktails. Not a cocktail fan? They’ve also got a well-curated 60-strong wine list that includes some low-intervention options. New summer hangout here we come!
medbrighton.co.uk
The team behind the brilliant Alberta’s at The Windmill (best Sunday lunch, no less) have launched Bonito by the Sea at refurbed beachside pub The Tempest (you know, the one with the caves). Think burgers and seafood with a twist, with the menu featuring surf and turf, fresh oysters, BBQ mullet curry, pepper squid bao buns, and plenty more, including veggie and vegan options, such as bhaji burgers and tofu and chips (opened on Friday 26th April). Don’t miss the Bonito (hash) browns!
Bonito
Kindling has been relaunched as a steak restaurant by its owners, restaurateurs Ramin Mostowfi and Minky Lee, with Ewan Cullen heading up the kitchen. A bit of an about-turn from its previous concept as a small-plates restaurant, the 50-cover eatery is now open seven days a weeks with a short and sweet menu that focuses on “high-quality premium steaks cooked over live fire… and vibrant, melt-in-the-mouth sides with homemade sauces”. The decision to switch focus was driven by what the owners saw as a gap in the market for a “more casual, reasonably priced dining option”.
kindlingrestaurant.com
A few weeks earlier, Brighton got an offshoot of the popular Lewes venue Caccia and Tails. The bijou bright pink cafe (on the former site of Kitgum’s Haraka, RIP) serves up their trademark moreish focaccia, excellent cockails and other Italian delicacies, with late openings Thursday – Saturday and regular music nights on the agenda too.
cacciaandtails.com
Drifter, restaurant specialising in vinyl music, natural wine and wood-fired small plates opened on the beach on 11th April. Read more about it here.
This bar-restaurant is where restaurant meets lounge bar with Asian-inspired small plates and small-batch cocktails on the menu. Read more about it here.
And there’s another new cafe! Over in Kemptown, brightly coloured June opened its doors in April, serving fresh and tasty Aegean-inspired salads and sarnies, and friendly smiles. You can’t miss the lemon exterior and hanging fruit in the window!
June
Lost In The Lanes launched an evening menu in early April – they’re now serving into the evening from 6pm – 10pm, Thursday to Saturday. We’d recommend the rosti with ox cheek ragu, parmesan and chives and the always-excellent gin-based Switch Up cocktail (lychee, elderflower, ginger, bitters, lemon).
lostinthelanes.com
Munchies in the Lanes has switched tack and has transformed into a cat cafe and tapas bar with the first felines arriving in May. Until then, you can bring your own cat along! They’re currently getting things set up to ensure that it’s a safe and happy home for their future residents. They plan on having around eight resident cats and will, in future, be offering them up for adoption. We’re guessing it might not be quite so dog-friendly any more…
munchiescraft.co.uk
Yep, the purveyors of doughy goodness have opened a doughnut hole at Yeastie Boys’ Pizza Club main joint on George Street in Hove. Open from Wednesday to Sunday; 8am to late – get there early to avoid missing out. They’re also now delivering the goods by post if you can’t make it over there.
Cat Burglar Dough Co
Namo X (the offshoot of Namo Eats) have brought their delicious Thai small plates to The Avenue on St James Street on Tuesday to Saturday evenings (5.30pm – 9pm). Run by Thai-born Bookie (who’s also the executive chef at No No Please), the delicious dishes are packed with authentic flavours.
namoeat.co.uk
There’s no official announcement on this yet, but we’ve heard that the abandoned space previously occupied by The Bronze on St James Street in Kemptown is going to be a bakery and ice-cream parlour. Watch this space for more details…
Over in Kemptown, BOTI faves Nanima Asian Kitchen and Cafe are keeping their April 20 percent off Thursday evening dinners for the whole of May.
Head to Hove family restaurant Jo & Co for 20 percent off the whole bill from 5pm every Friday and Saturday in May. Tasty!
joandcorestaurants.co.uk
Pizza perfectionists Fatto a Mano are holding two masterclasses in Brighton on Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st May (7 –9 pm; £40). You’ll learn how to make a version of their new margherita sbagliata special, inspired by the signature pizza from Naples’ Master Pizzaiolo Franco Pepe. You’ll get tutored in Fatto’s production process and how to make dough before you recreate the perfectly topped pizza and then eat it, obviously. All money raised goes to Italian children’s charity La Scugnizzeria.
fattoamanopizza.com
Etch superstar sommelier and restaurant manager Sam Weatherill, Sassy Sommelier, has launched a wine club. The first Zest Wine Club will showcase Corsican wines upstairs at Trading Post Coffee Roasters on 24th May (7pm – 11pm; four glasses for £30).
Book tickets
Head over to the beautiful Architectural Plants in Pulborough on Friday 21st or Saturday 22nd June (7.30pm; £70) for the Secret Sussex Supper Club’s latest event, Taverna – a six-course celebration of Greek cuisine. Beautiful tablescapes and excellent food in a gorgeous setting, it’s no wonder 50 percent of tickets have already gone!
Book tickets
Know of a new opening, offer or a must-attend event we should be featuring? Drop us a line at hello@brightontheinside.co.uk
