The Grand Hotel
The iconic and magnificent Grand Hotel stands proud on Brighton’s seafront, overlooking the English channel. Established in 1864, the exterior of the building was restored to its original beauty in 2019 unveiling original features very unique to this venue. Inside, the grandeur continuities with everything from the furniture and decoration to the staff members oozing luxury.
Taryn tries takeaway
The stars aligned when I was asked to review The Grand’s Grill at Home Barbecue Feast for four people. Not only were my parents visiting to meet my partner for the first time, it also happened to be my birthday. We had flip-flopped over having a barbecue – neither of us being proficient with hot coals and feeling the pressure of the first meet and greet. But luck rolled the dice for us that day and as luck would have it, The Grand put on a spread that made even the hardcore foodies (looking at you parents) happy.
Not that luck has anything to do with it really, The Grand is known for its fine eateries and Executive Chef, Alan White, knows a thing or two about gastronomic perfection.
Quality oozes out of this menu - Sussex Sirloin steaks with barbecue rub, Trenchmore Wagyu burgers with mature Cheddar slices and crystal ciabatta buns, Chicken thighs with Ras el Hanout spice and Minted lamb koftas all multiplied by four as your meaty mains. And swinging in heavy from the sides we have corn on the cob with Szechuan butter, marinated olives, heritage tomato salad and fennel, mooli, carrot, cabbage and Piri-Piri slaw.
Inevitably perhaps, rain called off the barbecue that day, but the beauty of this menu lays in its versatility. We roasted the chicken and half the tomato salad, griddled the steaks and burgers and, in a moment of what turned out to be ingenuity, we boiled the sweetcorn in the bag before griddling in the Szechuan butter. I have never seen a table of people fall silent over a plate of sweetcorn, we loved it so much it became known as the ‘Szechuan Sweetcorn Sharer’
‘These olives are setting the world on fire,’ crooned my Step-Mum before declaring, ‘this is just like eating at The Grand!’…‘I'm not usually a fan of sirloin but this is perfect and the seasoning is divine’ complimented my Dad who barbecues all the time, ’This is as good as I can do!’ A ringing endorsement to how exceptional this takeaway actually is.
Even with the rain and change of plans, we had a grand old time. The ice was broken successfully and thanks to The Grand, we had a stress-free day full of stunning food. So, if you find yourself, like me, with a special event coming up, I highly recommend letting The Grand do the hard work so you can focus on pouring the wine. You can pre-order your BBQ box here, or check out some of the other takeaway menus The Grand has to offer - be sure to quote 'RB GRAND' when ordering!
The Victoria Lounge
A perfect place to relax, the Victoria Lounge is unmissable and inviting. Whether you are an overnight guest at the hotel, a visitor to the hotel for a business meeting, after a quick coffee or looking for a place for overdue drinks with good friends, the Victoria Lounge is a venue to impress all.
The Victoria Bar
The Victoria Bar is located within the lounge area of The Grand Hotel and is one of Brighton’s favourite venues for guaranteed quality drinks. Perch at the bar and chat to the interactive staff members while sipping on a classic cocktail of choice from the menu, that also features innovative cocktail creations, wine, beer, a top end selection of spirits and delicious fizz. Drinks from the bar can also be served to the Victoria Lounge, perfect for that early evening much needed pick me up after an exhausting day at work.
Terrace
At the front of the hotel, the sea facing Victoria Terrace sums up The Grand Hotel’s association with luxury. The bright and botanical interior makes for the perfect location for brunch and afternoon tea, and during the evening a brilliant grill menu is served here, especially great during summer sunsets.
Brunch at The Grand
Served in the beautiful Victoria Terrace, brunch at The Grand is a special thing. From the hearty to the super healthy, choose from a favourite Eggs Benedict or a lighter granola bowl. Teas and coffees are also top quality, perfectly enjoyed with their bakery board on a sunny Brighton morning looking out to sea. Don’t leave without checking out their COLUMBUS 1493 cocktail, a rum based drink paired with peach puree for a breakfast twist.
Afternoon Tea at The Grand
We can't think of anywhere we would rather enjoy a spot of afternoon tea than The Victoria Terrace at the Grand Hotel. Quite the iconic offering, afternoon tea here is something of pure beauty that also tastes fantastic, something notoriously tricky to master! Choose from two teas, The Victoria Grand afternoon tea or the Victoria Terrace Tea. The Grand option offers three tiers of deliciousness, including quiche and freshly made poached salmon, egg mayo, cucumber and cream cheese and smoked ham sandwiches.
A selection of pastries and cakes curated by executive chef Alan White are also served, alongside fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and strawberry preserve. To drink, luxury loose leaf teas are on offer, along with coffee brews on request. Refer to their list of sparkling wines for added opulence or choose the Brighton G&T or Moet Moments tea options.
The Grill menu
Designed by executive chef Alan White, the evening option at the Victoria Terrace is the grill menu. Offering a modern take on classic grill dishes, focusing on locally sourced meat and produce. A wagyu beef burger is a firm favourite on the menu, alongside the unmissable Sussex rump steak served with roast plum vine tomatoes and watercress. View their menu here.
INFO
The Grand Hotel really does have the wow factor! Amazing experience especially for a date night, always feels special!
Elegant, sophisticated and quite a traditional yet modern setting. great service, excellent variety of fresh seafood and the pre dinner cocktails were something else. Well done The Grand Hotel and GB1 restaurant!