Hello friends,
September has landed, and Brighton’s food scene is showing no signs of slowing down. With Mowgli reopening after its summer makeover and autumn menus beginning to appear across the city, there’s plenty to get stuck into. This week, we’re celebrating the humble sourdough, taking a deep dive into Brighton’s fish & chips, uncovering some Sunday roast gems, heading to Alfriston, embracing our inner Francophile and rounding up the latest events, new menus and things worth putting in the diary. Basically, plenty of very good reasons to put down the sandwich and head out.
And don’t miss The Scoop: our guide to the best things to do this month!
Sourdough September: get your loaf on!
It’s Sourdough September, the Real Bread Campaign’s annual celebration of proper, naturally fermented bread – and Brighton has plenty to celebrate.
- Jacob’s Bakery brings creative, from-scratch baking to Gloucester Place
- Julien Plumart combines French patisserie expertise with beautifully baked sourdough
- Open Bakery is a Brighton institution, loved for its slow-fermented loaves
- Bayon Bakery puts proper craft and quality at the heart of its bread
- Coburn & Baker, baking in Bevendean since 2000, produces artisan sourdough using traditional methods.
So, this September, ditch the sliced white and get your loaf on. It’s the best thing since… Oh, you know what we mean.
Learn more about Brighton’s Best Bakeries here.
You Batter Believe It: Brighton’s Best Fish & Chips
Is there anything more Brighton-British than fish & chips? Crisp, golden batter, fluffy chips, a generous splash of vinegar and, ideally, the sea within sight. Brighton and fish & chips have been inseparable for generations. Our Best Fish & Chips guide is one of Restaurants Brighton’s consistently popular pages, so we know you’re rather partial to a fishy-chippy tea.
Cyan serves an elevated take on the seaside classic in the elegant surroundings of The Grand; The Metropole pairs crispy fish and golden chips with glorious seafront views; The Salt Room brings its seafood expertise to a more sophisticated version of the dish; OhSo delivers the quintessential beachside experience, right beside the Pier; and The Regency is a Brighton institution for a traditional fish supper with the Channel as your backdrop.
Pass the tartare sauce – and watch out for the seagulls. Check out our Best Fish & Chips in Brighton Guide.
Secret Sunday Roasts You Need to Try
To celebrate Sunday Roasts returning to The North Star from this Sunday, 6 September, here’s a selection of banging Sunday roasts you may not have tried – and should! There are plenty of delicious reasons to stray from the familiar. BRAVO winner Embers puts the fire centre-stage, with wood-fired sharing platters and seriously smoky flavours; The Ladies Mile does the classics generously, with a BRAVO-winning roast and all the trimmings; Kindling turns its live-fire expertise to a spectacular sharing roast for two; Bistro du Vin adds a little French flair, with its Roast Du Vin and tempting French Market Table; Il Bistro serves a proper Lanes feast of porchetta or 28-day-aged sirloin; Petit Pois gives the roast a makeover, complete with French wines; Terra at Tottington Manor offers succulent meats and accompaniments on a sharing board, while Wood X Coal at Sea Lanes swaps tradition for a generous, flame-grilled Sunday sharing feast.
So, if your Sunday routine has become a little… well, regular, consider this your excuse to branch out.
Peek behind the scenes at Poco, Alfriston
Follow our Poco photo adventure, where we found award-winning wines and locally sourced, seasonal Italian wonders!
Vive la France!
In the week that President Macron and King Charles viewed the Bayeux Tapestry in London, why not celebrate a little Anglo-French entente of your own? Head to Mange Tout in the North Laine for its ever-changing dinner menu of seasonal small and large plates, paired with a brilliant selection of organic, low-intervention natural wines. French flair, Brighton attitude and a blackboard that treats the eyes – très bien!
Check out our French Favourites in Brighton.
WIN: The Bell Tower
Enter this week’s giveaway here.
The Vibe: On our Radar
The Eight Bells team say they are “in denial that summer is technically over,” and are therefore serving up their popular sun-filled specials a little longer. Think Hazelnut-crusted Halibut, Harissa Spiced Salmon, and Prawn & Almond Filo Pie.
Cases is giving a Jazz Roast with The Caribbean Kitchen twist to Sunday 13 September, with The Caribbean Kitchen bringing bold island flavours to the traditional roast, accompanied by live jazz.
Fancy becoming a pasta pro? Cin Cin’s ever-popular Pasta Masterclass returns to Hove on 9 September, where chefs will teach you the art of making pasta dough, handmade and machine-cut shapes, plus vegan dough. For £75, you’ll also get a spritz, antipasti, wine and your freshly made pasta to enjoy.
English’s is hosting a special Italian Wine Night in collaboration with Passione Vino on Thursday 17 September. Guests will enjoy an Italian-inspired menu created by Yuri, paired with a selection of Italian wines. £85 pp.
Editor’s Picks
Tonight! Swap the treadmill for the seafront as Run The Lanes, Lucky Saint and Shelter Hall team up for a social 5K. Meet at Shelter Hall at 6pm, run the Lanes and seafront, then head back for a free pint of Lucky Saint and 15% off food from all the kitchens. Everyone’s welcome.
Also tonight! The Canopy’s Chef Michael Bremner’s love of San Sebastian lands with three consecutive tasting evenings: 3, 4 and 5 September. Book here.
Launching this evening! Bohemia’s Live Music Thursdays return, kicking off with Dave Williams at 9:30pm. Reserve your table and join in by playing the spoons! (Don’t do this really). Free entry!
And finally, Fatto a Mano’s pizza pioneers are teasing a brand-new pizza that they’re calling “a belter”. Keep your eyes on their Insta for news! (We’ll reveal all soon, too!)
RB Diary
Emma is heading to the Bignose and Beardy Pop-Up Cider Tap this weekend – and it’s the start of the Sussex Bonfire Processions in Uckfield (did someone say autumn?) Torsten is taking in The Chimney House’s small plates and sharers, and Steffan is off to Fourth and Church (blogs coming soon!). And the lucky Ellen is at the Michelin-starred Maré to capture their dishes of excellence!
Yours, with sourdough stuck to our teeth,
Torsten and Team RB x