We're BACK with BITE! Two delicious festivals celebrating the very best of Sussex and Brighton food and drink with our next outing running 10-19 September 2021. In the meantime, dive into some of the gastronomic highlights from BITE Sussex partners over the coming weeks.
Visit our website for a full list of BITE partners.
Sam from Fourth & Church shares his Rhubarb, honey and Aleppo chilli hot sauce recipe
Sam says: "I had some lovely rhubarb that I wanted to use. It’s a great, typically British fruit, that I wanted to enhance within some flavours from the Lavant. It’s aromatic quality suits pink pepper, rose petals and the fruity Aleppo chilli. To temper it’s high acidity I added some raw honey".
Recipe
250g rhubarb, sliced into 1cm lengths
250ml water
13g non-iodised natural sea salt
50g dried Aleppo chilli
80g red chillies destemmed sliced
5g pink peppercorns
20g chemical free rose petals
50g raw honey
Heat the water with the salt until dissolved
Leave to cool
Combine with the rest of the ingredients in a bowl
Vac pack the mixture or put in a sealed jar with clingfilm in contact with the surface
Leave to ferment in a cool place for at least a month
If you are only able to ferment at standard room temperature leave to ferment for 5 days and then transfer to the fridge for the remainder
During the ferment you may need to 'burp' the mixture by opening the container to release the build up of gas
Blend until smooth and store in the fridge
Keep up to date with news from Fourth & Church here
New restaurant and bar Socialite opens its doors to Brighton on Monday 17 May
Eagerly awaited new venue Socialite is open for bookings from 17 May. In the heart of Brighton's Lanes, Socialite is open for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and champagne at night. At any time of day you can choose from a delicious selection of small plates to accompany your drinks. Check out their roof terrace for alfresco dining.
Booking via the Socialite website.
Book a Sussex vineyard tour with Bolney, Stopham or Wiston wine estates
Bolney offers a unique vineyard experience: stroll through acres of vines and marvel at the many different varieties of grapes that go into the fantastic Bolney range. Whether you want to enjoy one of their tour tasting packages, make a day of it and stay for lunch or bring the whole family along to explore the vineyard trail, they have something for everyone.
Booking via the Bolney website.
Stopham vineyard are taking bookings for vineyard tours from 22 May onwards. They are given by one of the winemakers, Simon or Tom, or the vineyard manager, Adderley. It includes a comprehensive, in-depth tour of both the vineyard and the winery, culminating in a wine tasting of Stopham's range of delicious wines. You can also choose to add lunch by the river to make it even more of an enjoyable day out.
Please book via the Stopham website.
Choose from an Open Day (£10 per person) or Vineyard Tour (£20 per person) at the beautiful Wiston Estate vineyard. Both are hosted by Kirsty Goring, who lives on the land and is a member of the Goring family who own Wiston Estate. Both options offer a trio of wine tasting.
Booking is essential on the Wiston website.
Restaurant Amarillo, Brighton reopens on Tuesday 18 May
Amarillo reopens at Drakes of Brighton on Marine Parade on Tuesday 18 May. Head chef Ian Swainson will be serving up a six course tasting menu (meat or vegetarian) and promises to “dazzle your tastebuds”. Amarillo is definitely going to be one of the go-to restaurants for food lovers in Sussex this year.
Bookings are now open at www.drakesofbrighton.com/restaurant
Add some English fizz into your summer with Fitz
Fitz sparkling was launched in May 2018 and is based in West Sussex with the state-of-the-art winery located just outside of Brighton.
The goal with Fitz is to offer great tasting sparkling wine, produced entirely from English grapes. Fitz differ from other wine producers in the country, opting for the Charmat method of production to create a soft, fruity, and very easy drinking fizz. This offers consumers the chance to enjoy a new style of sparkling from England at a more approachable price point.
You can enjoy Fitz at bars and restaurants across Sussex and from local vintners including Bottle & Jug Dept. Online orders are available via the Fitz website.
Metrodeco, Brighton launches their 'Beach Box' on Saturday 1 May
With the forecast promising a weekend of sunshine, grab a Beach Box from Metrodeco and enjoy a picnic; on the beach, park or host a mini garden party with your friends. Each box contains: a sandwich, packet of crisps, soft drink, mini veggie quiche, salad pot, sweet tart and brownie.
Pre-order online for takeaway collection from Metrodeco between 1-3pm.
Steven Edwards and the etch. team host a summer residency at The Pass Restaurant, South Lodge, Horsham
Whilst etch. in Hove undergoes a refurbishment, Steven Edwards and his team will be hosting an eight week summer residency at The Pass, from Friday 2 July to Sunday 29 August. The philosophy remains the same, with the menu changing weekly to celebrate the very best of Sussex produce.
Book now via the etch. website
Market Restaurant & Bar, Hove is open for indoor dining reservations from Monday 17 May
Market celebrates Spanish food and drink and creates innovative modern Spanish tapas in the heart of Hove. Expect amazing imported cheeses, cured meats and wines alongside their take on traditional Spanish recipes using local Sussex produce. You'll also find a fine selection of Sussex wines and ciders, served with passion from the knowledgeable Market team.
If you can't wait for your slice of Spain, Market is open now for outdoor dining.
Book via the Market website
What's cooking at Pitch this summer?
The Pitch team are excited to be serving up three new dining offerings this summer. Head chef and co-owner Kenny Tutt tells us more:
“Our first restaurant Pitch in Worthing continues to go from strength-to-strength and we work tirelessly to keep the menu exciting and the service level high. We have many locals that can't wait to return and our team are raring to get back what we do best”.
“Ox Block at Shelter Hall Brighton has now opened and we’re serving beautiful British seasonal meats cooked over a smoking robata grill with freshly grilled vegetables and house-made sauces. Make sure you try the deep fried Oreo with dulche de leche ice cream: it's a game changer”.
“This summer will also see the grand opening of Bayside Social – a more relaxed beachside all-day dining café restaurant in Worthing. I’ll continue to work with more and more local suppliers and look forward to hosting a welcoming, warm space for business and pleasure”.
Make your own Sussex Martini with a home kit from Madame Jennifer Distillery
Each kit contains a 250ml bottle of dry vermouth and a 200ml bottle of 'The Chemist' gin. The Chemist is a dry rooty gin with a strong juniper character and citrus top notes, perfect for a Martini. Featuring a very special vermouth from 'In The Loop Drinks', made locally in Sussex from grapes grown in England. You can select either the No.18 Dry White Vermouth or No.3 Dry Rosé Vermouth to go in the gift box.
Order your kit via the Madame Jennifer website
Book a Great British Break at The Old Ship Hotel, Brighton
Enjoy a staycation in Brighton from only £89!
The Old Ship Hotel's Great British Breaks are back and they can't wait to welcome you through their doors again from Monday 17 May!
Enjoy the Welcome Back Package which includes overnight accommodation, breakfast, Prosecco on arrival and late checkout for only £89. Alternatively, the Brighton Rocks package offers 2, 3 and 4 night stays... and they even have a doggy friendly staycation!
Booking is now open, with free cancellation policies for peace of mind.
Book using code 'GBB' via https://www.oldshipbrighton.co.uk/special-offers/
Wiston Estate Winery celebrates 15 years
Friday 7 May sees the 15th anniversary of Wiston Estate planting their first vines. They'll be hosting an Instagram Live event from the vineyard and celebrating some of the delicious, award-winning wines to have been produced over the years.
Their ’One of Each’ case is currently available for a special price, saving you £32 on a mixed case of six bottles (that's essentially a free bottle!).
Mix up your summer with the help of Brighton's Mixology Group
With the summer in sight, Mixology Group are serving up their 'Cocktails & Class in a Box' for delivery straight to your door. Each box features everything you need to rustle up three fabulous cocktails at home – including a cocktail shaker and instructive online video – so you can impress your friends, family and colleagues. Shake it like ya mean it!
Find out more on the Mixology Group website here.
Cocktails and all day dining at Macmillans, Worthing
Macmillans boasts 'a beer garden of dreams', and serves up cocktails, beer and all day dining.
The Macmillans chicken burger is a perfect concoction of succulent chicken, crispy bacon with a touch of spice and signature sauce to tingle your taste buds this summer. There are saucy buns & juicy meats - small plates & hot dates - just remember to bring your coat.
Renowned in Worthing for their cocktails, enjoy the Junglebird cocktail, as cheeky as the name, fresh and sweet to give your night a kick. If you like Piña Coladas (and getting caught in the rain!), then this should be on the top of your list!
Check out the Macmillans website for special events.
Mexican street food hits the spot at La Choza, Brighton
La Choza: Fast food, slow cooked; enjoy authentic Mexican street food dishes all made with time and love. Build your very own perfect dish including base, filling and sauce style all for less than a tenner. There are always weekly specials available, plus a great choice of sides and the best margaritas this side of Jalisco! Olé!
Take a peek at the menu here
The best vegan sushi in Brighton at Moshimo
Sushi, that's vegan? Yeah! We love Moshimo for offering a fully extensive vegan sushi menu, not just an 'add on'. Their vegan sushi is easily spotted on the conveyor belt thanks to the distinctive plate colours. No need to ask staff, and no need to worry about what you’re eating. Additionally, you can always order vegan sushi from the main menu.
All of their vegan Japanese delicacies, from sushi to bento, are clearly labelled on the menu with distinctive red lettering, so it’s easy to pick out and enjoy. They've even created a photographic booklet so that you can identify the food going round on the belt, with information about ingredients and allergens. There's also a fantastic selection of vegan wines and beers.
For more vegan tastebud tickling look at their website here