Dines Out: The Rise

Emerging from April on a flotilla of fine food and delicious wines makes me think of the simpler things in life. How I still love the easy dishes of my childhood, cheese on toast, sausage toad and a proper Lancashire hotpot. And when it comes to eating out, despite my love of our superb restaurants I can be equally excited by the simpler things in life, and especially by breakfast.

Some of the week I work from home, and I never skimp on the first meal of the day, once that is done I can settle down to work. If I’m in the slightest bit hungry my mind will turn to an urgent cake that needs to be baked or an essential casserole, it’s the way I’m wired.

Breakfast out is my treat on the days I go in to Latest TV to record my shows, and I have a few favourite places in which to indulge in the first dish of the day.
Close to home I go to Brewed in the Lewes Road. It’s an absolute gem, first class coffee of course but also a fine selection of dishes to start the day, as well as the best cheese and leek muffins to be had.

I never skimp on the first meal of the day

I usually settle down with a latte and their stunning bacon and cheese bap, quality piggy and griddles cheese cooked to a savoury crisp, and on the side their spicy mayo-based dressing which knocks the spots off ketchup, trust me. The guys behind this tiny place are fun too, always cheery – just what you need first thing.

Closer to the studio it’s Red Roaster. I always loved this place but since the refurb I love it even more, and I love their breakfast dishes. It’s a little more pricey than average but when you assess the quality of the ingredients and the amount of culinary skill invested in each plate you can see why. From a simple bacon butty to a full English, this is faultless stuff and there are some great options from the normal breakfast fare that I am gradually working my way through. Needless to say, the coffee is great and the service delightful.

Of course I cannot talk breakfast without mentioning Marmalade where I still love the ambience and the food, and where better to go for boiled eggs and soldiers?
Last week saw the launch of The Ivy in the Lane, an exciting and glamorous addition to the town and I see that they also do breakfast, so no doubt that will be on my list very soon.

Brewed, 136 Lewes Rd, Brighton, BN2 3LG
Red Roaster, 1D St James’s St, Brighton, BN2 1RE
Marmalade, 237 Eastern Rd, Brighton and Hove, Brighton, BN2 5JJ
The Ivy, 51 Ship St, Brighton, BN1 1AF