A midweek getaway in the Sussex countryside
Let me set the scene. It’s Thursday, after work, the warmest day of the year so far, and the most enormous orange sun is hanging on the horizon as we drive out of Brighton. Leaving the bustle of the city and the chaos of the day behind us, we’re headed to Hurstpierpoint. Just 20 minutes from the centre of town, we arrive at the calming retreat of Morleys Bistro, and it feels like we are an entire world away.
What You’ll Love
- A stylish boutique stay above the bistro
- Seasonal menus with standout seafood
- Expert wine pairings and Coravin-style pours
- A relaxed yet polished dining room
- A countryside feel just 20 minutes from Brighton
A boutique stay above the bistro
First stop was our boutique hotel room above the bistro. Did I forget to say, we weren’t just here for dinner – no, this was dinner, bed and breakfast. What a treat! Morleys has a brilliant self-check-in system, so we arrived at our leisure, key code in hand to let ourselves into our beautiful suite.
We had Room 1, overlooking Hurstpierpoint’s pretty high street. Spacious and beautifully appointed, with a vintage fireplace, king-sized bed, crisp white linens and velvet cushions, this was the antidote to city life that we needed. The bathroom was sparkling clean and bright, with hummingbird wallpaper, a bath, a shower and antique furniture. We had arrived!
A warm welcome and relaxed atmosphere
Next, we went downstairs, where we were given a gorgeous welcome by our fabulous host, Vincent. Seated near the window, we had the perfect vantage point, able to look out to the hubbub of the high street whilst admiring the beautifully pared-back décor in the restaurant. Think copper lampshades casting a warm hue over everything, dried flowers, and gentle tunes humming in the background.
Oysters, Negronis, and a perfect start
Our waiter Ollie offered us the menu and a blackboard full of delights, and whilst we were still umming and ahhing over what to eat, we treated ourselves to a couple of rock oysters and a Negroni. The evening was off to a truly excellent start.
The Ditchling Gin and Bolney Vermouth, mixed with Campari, were served over ice in a lowball cut glass – a perfectly balanced dance of bitter, sweet and botanical. Meanwhile, our oysters, sourced from Dublin Bay, were honestly some of the finest I’ve ever tasted.
Seasonal seafood and standout starters
With our appetites whetted, we were ready to take on the big decisions. The menus at Morleys are seasonal, with the specials changing regularly. Tonight, we were leaning heavily into the seafood – all supplied by Fish in Hove, and very hard to resist.
I went for the scallops, served in their shells. A gorgeous combination of coral and white, they were a sight to behold, and delicious to boot. Garlicky, buttery, tender with a little bite, I was loath to share them. But my other half had the camembert bites, served with a drizzle of spicy honey mayonnaise, and there was no way I wasn’t trying those. The camembert was encased in a crunchy shell which cracked under the fork, releasing a gooey river of cheesy goodness.
These delicious starters were accompanied by a crisp glass of Crémant de Bourgogne. Paired with our food by Vincent, it was citrusy, light and refreshingly refined – a perfect match. It’s worth noting that Morleys has a clever piece of tech that seals and pressurises every bottle, allowing you to try any wine on offer by the glass. Wine is clearly their forte, and, born and bred in Montpellier, Vincent knows his stuff.
Mains worth lingering over
Now, with not a morsel left on our plates (uncouth? Who cares – it’s delicious!), it was on to mains.
Having debated the miso ramen, I decided against it – largely because I was wearing neon pink and not prepared to risk it. The St Austell Cornish mussels also called to me, but sticking with the fish, I chose the pan-roasted seabass. With skin crisped to perfection, mounds of red pepper salsa dressed in pea shoots and chives, and served on a bed of crisp spiced potatoes, it was absolutely divine.
My better half went for the Indian-spiced haddock with masala fries and kachumber salad. The lemon cut beautifully through the warming spices. The sous chef here used to work at Brighton’s legendary Chilli Pickle, and it shows. I must be honest – while enjoying my seabass, I kept swooping in on the masala chips like a seagull on Brighton beach. They were irresistible.
Wine pairings done right
Back to the wine. Vincent continued to impress – not just as a front-of-house host, but as an oracle on all things wine. Under his guidance, I chose a glass of Italian Pecorino, zingy and fresh from the Abruzzo region, while my date had a buttery Pinot Gris from Alsace, subtly pink in hue and full of flavour. Both were perfect accompaniments to the fish.
Dessert (because it would be rude not to)
By this point, we were feeling suitably full, but it would have been rude not to engage with the dessert menu.
I settled on the chocolate pistachio pot, savouring the strawberry coulis, gooey salted caramel and rich, slightly bitter chocolate layer. My partner in crime went for his all-time favourite – tiramisu. And this one did not disappoint. Not too sweet, just the right side of savoury, light, fluffy and creamy. Safe to say, he was thrilled.
And of course, we finished it all off with an espresso martini. Now, to bed.
A slow Sussex morning
After a sound sleep in an unusually comfortable bed, we woke to the gentle sounds of Hurstpierpoint High Street. Bottled water and orange juice awaited us in the room, along with the option to make tea, coffee and porridge – a nice touch. But we had our sights set on eggs.
Because Morleys is not just fine dining at night – by day, it’s the perfect destination for coffee, brunch and lunch.
My date opted for the spiced sausage hash, topped with two perfectly runny fried eggs. Generously portioned, with thinly sliced sausages, spinach, beans and chilli flakes, it set him up for the day. Meanwhile, continuing my fish theme, I went for eggs royale – smoked salmon atop crunchy sourdough, with perfectly poached eggs and hollandaise, finished with a sprinkle of chives. All served with orange juice, tea and excellent coffee.
An escape worth returning to
Morleys, you truly looked after us during our stay. You were the most delightful escape for us city slickers. Just 20 minutes from Brighton, it felt like we had been on holiday in deepest Sussex. We’ve already started planning a weekend walk so we can return and sample the legendary Sunday roasts (the chef starts making the gravy on a Tuesday!). Friday and Saturday nights are often fully booked, so make sure to book ahead and experience everything Vincent and his wonderful team have to offer.
