EAT FOOD HERE (3) - REST OF UK
BRIGHTON & HOVE MORE BRIGHTON & HOVE FRANCE AMSTERDAM, BARCELONA & BERLIN


DITCHLING, EAST SUSSEX


LEWES, EAST SUSSEX

    THE WHITE HART HOTEL:
  • The White Hart caters for many tastes and appetites. If you fancy snacks, you can have snacks - like Baked Potatoes, Toasted Sandwiches, Salads and the like. If you fancy a Roast Dinner or something from the Carvery, then that's possible too. You may just want a drink, or you may want a full three-course meal/ à la carte. As well as being a restaurant, this place is also a hotel, with many facilities, including gym (I think) and function room. There are areas for sitting around and enjoying a local Harveys ale, or whatever is your tonic! Friendly and very helpful staff. You may have to book a table for main meals, as they get busy. Certainly not spit and sawdust, but then not completely out of reach either. Great views to the South Downs from the Terrace.
    55, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. 01273-476694.

    PANDA GARDEN:
  • Is a little over-priced for what it is, but then it is a Chinese Eat-in restaurant in the centre of the historic county-town of Lewes. So, bearing in mind that it has little competition, it's about what you'd expect. In terms of style, it is definitely 'British-Chinese', as in, 'not-strictly traditional'. Nonetheless, we needed a break and something half decent to eat and we did get satiated. The menu took on many regular favourites such as 'Sweet and Sour', 'Kung Po', 'Oyster Sauce' etc. The only really annoying thing about this place was the 'musak' in the background, which looped roughly every four and a half minutes and consisted of chopped-up bits of Classical tunes - a bit like the food really - no, only joking.
    Overall impression: Not a bad restaurant for eat-in Chinese in Lewes. A little pricey. 6 out of 10.
    162, High Street, Lewes, East Sussex. 01273-473235. Take-Away available.

    THE RAM INN:
  • Great pub food, in fact more like restaurant food. The locally-produced boar and apple sausages sat well on their pedestal of 'champ' mashed potato (Irish-style, with Spring Onions); the rich, shiny onion gravy complemented perfectly. The main meals aren't a snip, at around £8.95 each, but the cost is definitely balanced by flavour, texture, composition, attention to detail and satisfaction. The side dishes and starters are very good value for price - around £2.50 and £5.00 respectively - nice Sun-dried tomato and Mozzarella salad, also the Rocket and Parmesan salad. The French Onion Soup with croutons is tasty. We have sampled one dessert from here so far, but I have a feeling we will be back for more. If you have a chance, try the Light Baileys Cheesecake with Kahlua and Chocolate sauce, yum! Drinks - à la pub. We recommend! Close to Charleston Farmhouse, of 'Bloomsbury group' fame. Nice atmosphere, no stupid loud music, smoking or non-smoking.
    Firle, off the A27, near Lewes, East Sussex.

SEAFORD, EAST SUSSEX

    GOLDEN PALACE:
  • Golden Palace used to be based in Hove, but now they are in Seaford, and from what we can tell, they are making a real success of it over there. The restaurant serves Oriental cuisine, which includes: Chinese, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malay. The first time we went there we decided on take-away so that we could look out over the sea. LBG had Ga Nuong La Dua - a Vietnamese dish of chicken pieces marinated in coconut milk, wrapped in fragrant pandan leaves, chargrilled and presented with a sweet chilli sauce (£3.90) - fantastic!! I chose to indulge in Ga Gung - a dish of chicken fillet, pan fried in ginger, honey and fish sauce, on a bed of crispy vermicelli noodles and topped with sesame seeds (£4.50). Both us had Thai fragrant rice (£1.50) as accompaniment. Excellent. We thoroughly recommend it.
    Since our take-away experience, the menu has changed a little and we have returned for 'eat-in'. The restaurant now offers £15 a head - eat as much as you like, or à la carte. From the latter, I again chose Ga Gung (£5.50) and LBG had a vegetable dish with tofu (£4.00); a portion of rice for two was £2.50. The 'Rainbow Mix' veg dish was, we realised when it arrived, more of a side-dish to accompany mains, than a main dish in itself; therefore, not very filling - the Ga Gung tasted good though. Flavoursome desserts too, at about £3.00 each. The 'eat-as-much-as-you-can' option is probably worth it if you can afford it (and if you like mixing different dishes), but otherwise be careful what you choose, because you can pay out a tenner and feel like you're still hungry. Golden Palace do Express Lunches, which look like good value.
    30a, High Street, Seaford, East Sussex. 01323-896784. Open every day: 12.30-11.30pm. Closed Mondays. www.qualityfoodonline.co.uk

NORTHIAM, EAST SUSSEX

    LE CAFE DU MOULIN:
  • Virtually on the border with Kent, and just down the road from Northiam Steam Railway Station, you will find Le Cafe du Moulin - occupying an old mill building, hence the name. They appear to do everything, from: Bistro lunches and dinners with Table d'Hote menu, to Function catering with private dining rooms and conference facilities. The restaurant serves continental cuisine (mostly French) and the bar sells Real Ales, International Beers and Fine Wines. They also have a Boules pitch, and Live Music on Friday nights. We sampled some of the Hors d'Oeuvres and desserts. I enjoyed the Pigeon Breasts on a bed of sumptuous cooked Leek, with Onion. LBG tried the Duck dish, bathed in Salad. Mmmm. The desserts actually were a bit 'English' for our taste, but we managed to finish two creamy chocolatey cakey/moussey type things, with some happiness. Expect to pay around £6.00 for a starter, £14 for a main course (including vegetables) and £3.75 for a dessert. Wine, starting at around £13 per bottle, can be chosen from the ample and broad wine list. Lovely setting, in the heart of the Sussex/Kent Weald. Why not visit Northiam village, including Great Dixter House and Gardens, afterwards.
    The Mill, Station Road, Northiam, nr. Rye, East Sussex. 01797-252999. hometown.aol.com/cafemoulin

STEYNING, WEST SUSSEX

    STEYNING TEA ROOMS:
  • Admittedly, there are old-fashioned tables and chairs, and I banged my elbow against an antique bed-pan that was hanging on one of the inner walls of this charming village cottage restaurant - but this place is not twee, and deserves to get a medal for serving reasonably-priced, very tasty food in an unpretentious, non-olde-worlde environment. The menu takes you through 'hot specials' to various sandwiches, soup, baked potatoes, breakfasts etc., and onto English cream tea material, cakes and muffins and stuff. Soft drinks and fruit juices and smoothies are available; as well as various styles of coffee, teas and fruit/herb teas. I enjoyed very much, the 'Grilled flat mushrooms and smoked bacon on wholemeal toast with Welsh Rarebit, fresh oregano and tomato' - at £4.95. The flavour was well-balanced, rich and filling. The presentation was apt too. LBG had "the best Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted", which included thin slices of ham (off-the-bone) and slices of parmesan cheese, on grilled muffin - at £4.75. We both slurped at the same cup of Lapsang Souchong tea, which was served in a clever pot-on-top-of-cup combi, with strainer - at £1.75 per person. Check this place if you're in the area. Nice be-throned toilet too and shiny sink and taps.
    32, High Street, Steyning, West Sussex.

CRAWLEY, WEST SUSSEX

    FORTUNE VILLA:
  • Is a most pleasant Peking/Szechuan/Cantonese restaurant in the heart of this less-than-attractive West Sussex town. If you can navigate yourself round the impenetrable one-way system and down the access road next to Fortune Villa, then your toil will have been worth it. A friendly greeting and warm atmosphere awaits you. We enjoyed eating here and found the staff to be very professional. The menu was the usual extensive variety of dishes and accompaniments that one would expect. The prices were also good too eg. Sweet and Sour Pork balls - £3.80, Steamed Rice - £1.60. In addition, there is a mention that if a dish you require is not on the menu then they will do their best to oblige. I would definitely come here again if I was in Crawley and needed something to eat.
    Opening times: Monday to Saturday lunch: 12.00-14.30, Everyday evening: 18.00-23.00 (23.30 on Friday and Saturday).
    98, High Street, Crawley, West Sussex. 01293-520432. Take-Away available.

ASHTEAD, SURREY

    THE CURRY HOUSE:
  • Fairly run-of-the-mill Indian restaurant, specialising in North Indian 'Moghul' and 'Tandoori' dishes. They also supply nearly every other type of curry-style you can imagine. Usual sundries such as: Popadum, Nan Bread, English/Continental dishes and Rices. The Curry House have very polite staff and are very accommodating and if you're in the area then check this one out. The Prawn Methi looked good, but I plumped for the Chicken Curry (always a winner, and only £4.95) and Pilau Rice (£1.75 a head as I remember). Some nice looking desserts (including Kulfi and plenty of fruit dishes) and Wines, Beers, Spirits and Softies! Prices, I found to be moderately high, but then, there is little competition and anyway, Surrey people have 'loads a money' - right?
    The Street (A24), Ashtead, Epsom, Surrey.

EAST MOLESEY, SURREY

    CHU CHIN CHOW:
  • When I say 'old-fashioned', I mean in the 1970's or 1980's sense. Chu Chin Chow is a fairly respectable 'old-fashioned' establishment, which purveys Peking and Cantonese cuisine. This means, a whole plethora of dishes such as: Chop Suey, Kung Po, Sizzlers, Curries and Sweet & Sour. These can be served with Rice or Noodles or on their own. Prices are pretty reasonable and a good selection of Soups and Starters are available. They also do Steak & Chips and Roast Chicken & Chips. We enjoyed our chosen selection of Chinese dishes and drunk Tea I think, although the restaurant is fully licensed. Chu Chin Chow also do Take-Away. Hampton Court Palace is just over the bridge.
    14-16 Hampton Court Parade, East Molesey, Surrey. 0208-979-5993/3870


LONDON

    HONG HA:
  • Looks like an oriental version of 'Wimpy', with large, brightly-coloured images of food adorning walls and windows. Is actually a damn good Chinese and Vietnamese eatery, situated between Camberwell and Elephant and Castle, in SE London.
    The reason for including this one is because we had such a great time there that we actually forgot that we were in a restaurant, and managed to stay a record 3 hours.
    This could have been because the (very friendly) staff mainly seemed to be dealing with Take-Away customers and sporadic eat-inners; so this meant that we virtually had the restaurant to ourselves, and could partake in the unlimited Jasmine Tea re-fills on offer.
    Food - freshly prepared, simple but delicious, and very economical. I can't remember how much the bill came to, but two of us shared starters, had a main course each, and followed this with desserts - still leaving us with change from twenty quid! It is worth being adventurous and sampling the Vietnamese dishes (eg. Ho Fun) - laced with Coriander - but watch out for the slippery noodles with those chopsticks!
    Again - worth hunting this place out. We actually went out of our way to drive back here, after passing by the first time accidentally. Hong Ha - Five Star!!
    Opening times: Every day from 12.00-23.30 (Fri and Sat until 00.00). Special lunchtime buffet: Eat as much as you can for just £4.50 (12.00-17.00). Free delivery within 3 mile radius (Evenings).
    326, Walworth Road, London, SE17. 020-7277-0095/020-7703-6080.
    ABU ALI:
  • Abu Ali, next to 'Beirut Express' on Edgware Road, is a really good Lebanese restaurant, we think. We've been there a couple of times and had excellent meals at a good price. The place is down-to-earth and friendly, without being flashy. There are tables outside and hookah pipes are available for smoking. The menu includes starters and main meals. Mains include various kebabs and other meaty things, generally accompanied with rice or french fries. Starters include Falafel and other meze dishes. Pickled vegetables and pitta bread also come with each meal. Mint Tea is de rigeur, but other drinks are available, such as Banana Milk. Main courses are about £7.00 (2005) and starters £4.00. Mint Tea is £2.00 a go and Baclava is £1 for two pieces. We recommend eating here.
    136-138 George Street, London, W1H 5LD. 020 7724 6338.
    NEW RIVER CAFÉ:
  • Everything you'd expect from an all-day café! Also featuring (if you get a window table) great views across to Clissold Park. There is outside seating and indoor seating. The service is good and friendly, with initial 'counter-ordering'. I had the 'Special Breakfast' at £3.20, which included a mug of Tea/Coffee. Yum! Just right for the morning after! As well as set breakfasts, New River also provide many other food options.
    Stoke Newington Church Street (W), London, N16.
    WING YIP:
  • As well as a Wholesale/Retail Chinese and Asian Supermarket, Wing Yip also run two restaurants and a bakery. We haven't been to the restaurants (Chinese and Malaysian/Singaporean), but we have been to the bakery, which specialises in buns! Very tasty and very reasonably priced they are too. These buns come in savoury (such as Ham and Spring Onion) or sweet (as you would expect), and many of the variations contain Soybean Paste or Sesame - yum!. The bakery also sells drinks - cold or hot (eg. Teas), and if you're careful you won't spill these all over the table like I did (luckily no wet buns!). Wing Yip...Aah.
    Purley Way (main A23), East Croydon, Surrey/London.
    TILELLI:
  • Italian restaurant situated close to Angel tube station. Very friendly and most happy to pour more wine for you when your glass is only half empty. I had the mussels, which are a favourite of mine - served with bread and cooked in white wine with onion and garlic. I was pretty hungry and really I should have chosen pasta or something because actually I was still a bit peckish afterwards, and we didn't stay for desserts. The others had pasta dishes, which they said were tasty, so I take their word for it.
    Good atmosphere and not your usual run-of-the-mill mediterranean cuisine.
    326, St. John Street, London, EC1. 020 7837 0722.
    JEN CAFÉ:
  • Really a Chinese snack bar rather than a full-blown restaurant. Dishes with BBQ Meats or Fish and Rice/Noodles from £3.80. You can get a whole BBQ suckling pig for £110, but you have to pre-order it. Many drinks available, such as Taiwan Foam Pear or Red Tea Delight (£2.80). Great for hanging out - fairly spit and sawdust atmosphere with radio - a bit like Chinese fast-food. Certainly worth a repeat visit.
    4-8, Newport Place, Soho, London.
    NOODLE TIME:
  • If you're in the area, this is a pretty good bet for an economical and filling meal. They serve noodles or rice dishes, with loads of different choices of meat or vegetarian toppings. One course meal for two, with Green Tea - £12.05.
    10-11, Nelson Road, Greenwich, SE10.
    HENG LOON?:
  • Good enough Chinese restaurant. They do some more economical and express meals than some of the other eateries in the area. We had the £7.95 each, 2-course deal. This included four starters and two main course dishes with rice. Chinese Tea - 50p a pot, Tsing Tao beer - £2.20 for 33cl.
    25, Lisle Street, Soho, London.
    JOY KING LAU:
  • Possibly in Gerrard Street, can't remember. This one is a Chinese restaurant and has a good atmosphere topped-off with good food. Recommended.
    Soho, London.


PRESTEIGNE, WALES

    THE HARP:
  • Excellent fare from this country pub with breathtaking views over the valley.
    Old Radnor, near Presteigne, Radnorshire, Wales.


EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

    REFORM:
  • Is a smart restaurant in the centre of this capital city. The food and presentation is of a high standard and the service is commendable, with friendly staff ready to pour wine and ask how your meal was. It does not have a large dining area and therefore booking is advisable. The price of the food however, may immediately put quite a few people off. My nephew chose the most expensive main course (Angus Beef Steak with Onion/Potato patty and trimmings, at £20.50), but then he didn't have one of the delicious starters - which range in cost between £4.50-£8.50. I plumped for the 'Haggis Taster Plate', followed by a three-piece Wood Pigeon breast selection plus additions, at £13.50. My dessert comprised of a ball of Cardamom Ice Cream atop a sticky Pineapple Risotto base, with Curried Pear slices sticking out at angles like feet underneath.
    Jolly Tasty. Would venture here again if I was on a good salary, or if someone else was paying (as in this case). The menu here changes every month. As one would expect, Reform hosts an excellent selection of Wines and other assorted beverages.
    Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland.

© Hawk: 2002/2003/2004/2005/2006/2007






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