BEST NEW OPENING
AMARI
Winner
Tucked away just off London Road, this cosy neighbourhood restaurant happens to serve the best Spanish food in the city. There’s space for about 20 guests in the dining room that’s tastefully decorated with porcelain wall tiles and framed prints. You can watch chef Ian Swainson and his team in action in the semi-open kitchen preparing a concise menu that ranges from simple but perfectly executed croquettes and patatas bravas (worth booking for alone) to elegantly presented dishes such as a crispy skinned fillet of torched mackerel with an opalescent sorrel and Gordal olive dressing. Service, led by Justyna Ciurus (formerly front of house at The Little Fish Market) is top notch. There are good things to drink too with well-made cocktails and a list of great Spanish wines that won’t break the bank.
15 Baker Street, Brighton, BN1 4JN
01273 435992
NO NO PLEASE
Runner up
This stylish, friendly lounge-bar and restaurant, decked out in a carefully curated mid-century style, is the debut venture of brother and sister team Euan Macdonald and Mel Culross. Highlights of the South East Asian menu include a sesame prawn toast finger with salted egg yolk and the comforting No No Slow Curry with beef cheek and coconut. The bang-up-to-date cocktail list features original creations such as the refreshing Supagrass made with tequila, vermouth, lemongrass and salted coconut, all served from the tap so there’s no waiting around for your drink. Regular food and cocktail specials keep things interesting and the boisterous themed nights are swiftly becoming the stuff of local legend.
30 Preston Street, Brighton, BN1 2HP
PEARLY COW
Runner up
Set on Brighton’s seafront opposite the West Pier, Pearly Cow is the chic restaurant of The Guest House boutique hotel that’s spread across four Georgian and Regency townhouses. Brighton-born Executive Chef Andrew MacKenzie mans the stoves and serves a menu centred around open flame cooking. Local produce from land and sea is celebrated in dishes such as slow braised short rib of Sussex wagyu with pommes mousseline and market fish of the day cooked over fire. Generously proportioned sharing dishes include rolled porchetta served with roast apples, fennel and cider sauce, and Sunday lunch is not to be missed. Arrive in time for a pre-dinner cocktail of Gimme Mûre made with Brighton Gin, pineapple and blackberry.
123 Kings Road, Brighton, BN1 2FA