Favourite Tables recently had a great time visited Brighton and we wanted to find the top five dishes, from all the Favourite Tables restaurants, that we could say are the “must-try” dishes on menus and that are available during the whole of May.

So putting our money where our mouths are, several meals were consumed and this is our summary of the Best of the Best. So no matter how much time you will be spending in Brighton this month, a day trip, in town for business meetings or weekend away these are the tried and tested dishes that you simply need to discover for yourselves.

• Jerk Monkfish Tail

Jerk Monk Fish Tail – The Set Restaurant

Inside the Artists Residence, a 23-bedroom townhouse hotel at the top end of Regency Square is The Set Restaurants and their accompanying Cocktail bar, The Fix. The inside of both restaurants is original, relaxed and casual with a rustic and eclectic decor. Our first Favourite Five dish is a Jerk spiced Monkfish tail with Mango Salsa, chargrilled sweet corn, Jerk & Squid ink reduction and cornbread.

The Set Restaurant: Directions, Menus and Bookings

** Special mention for the uber-yummy Miso Marshmellow given to us as an appetiser.

• Suckling Pig Three ways “Assiette” 

Assiette of Suckling Pig – Drakes Restaurant

The Restaurant at Drakes Hotel is featured in numerous food guides and has received many accolades recently. You can easily forget you are only a short distance from the busy city centre on Marine Parade, in this cool and calm restaurant. Service was, as you would expect, impeccable. The Trio of Suckling pig – Tenderloin, Loin Cutlet and Rolled Crispy Belly with Morcilla Slices, Red Lentils, Apple Sauce and Quince is one of the stars of our Favourite 5 for Brighton.

The Restaurant at Drakes – Directions, Menus and Bookings

** The Wagyu Beef Tartare, pre-starter was outstanding.

• Spiced Rack of Lamb

Spiced Rack of Lamb – The Coal Shed Restaurant

The Coal Shed on Boyces Street (those visiting from London can now sample Coal Shed cuisine closer to home with the recent opening of a sister restaurant near Tower Bridge) is famed for its Steaks, the Rib-Eye being regularly mentioned by diners. However, following the recommendation of Nick our waiter we went for the Spiced Rack of Lamb. The lamb comes from a small holding in Oxford and is cooked medium rare, with a chickpea ragu made with tomato, onion, coriander, cumin & ras el hanout (similar to the Indian spice, garam masala), a ginger yoghurt dressing, sliced spring onions and Zhug (a Yemeni dressing made from, fresh coriander,parsley, chilli, olive oil, lime and garlic) The cooking of the lamb was stunning.

The Coal Shed – Directions, Menus and Bookings

• Tandoori Black Bream

Tandoori Black Bream – Indian Summer

One of, if not the, oldest restaurant serving Pan-Indian cuisine in Brighton. Try the Indian Summer’s Tandoori Black Bream, which is marinated in roasted spices and then cooked in the tandoor oven. Served with Mumbai Aloo (spiced potato) and a Sesame Raita, accompanied by a fresh Fennel, Pomegranate and Baby Tomato Salad. The fish was full of flavour, mildly spiced and the skin light and perfectly crispy.

Indian Summer – Directions, Menus and Bookings

• Cuttlefish with Ink Tagliatelle

Cuttlefish Tagliatelle – 64 Degrees

Restaurant 64 Degrees was voted Best Restaurant in the Brighton Top 20 Awards two years running (Head Chef Michael Bremner also won Best Chef both years) The restaurant is described as innovative, eclectic small-plate dining in a sleek, industrial-style space with an open kitchen. We sat at the Chef’s Counter to watch the preparation of our chosen dish, Cuttlefish with Ink Tagliatelle and Oregano. The short list of ingredients does not do justice to the flavour this dish delivers. The Cuttlefish soft and perfectly cooked, The Black Ink Tagliatelle thin and exactly prepared to add texture to the dish.  

Restaurant 64 Degrees – Directions, Menu’s and Bookings

And our “Plus One”

• Pumpkin Seed Icecream

Pumpkin Seed Ice Cream – Silo Brighton

We had intended to just feature five dishes for our Favourite Five for Brighton, However, when we tasted this Pumpkin Seed Ice cream it just had to be listed. Silo of Brighton is described as a Zero Waste establishment or Pre-Industrial food preparation Kitchen, that said they do create beautiful, innovative dishes which are full of incredible flavours. The slightly nutty not too sweet creamy ice cream, subtle pine oil and the Oats and Seeds topping is just incredible.

Silo Brighton – Directions, Menu’s and Bookings