Andrew Kay on the joys of private dining in Brighton and Hove
Privates on parade
My friends all know how much I love dining in restaurants and those that are really close to me will also know that I hate dining in restaurants in large parties… except for when that large party is in a private space.
I somehow cannot relax when I’m at a large table surrounded by smaller parties, and I think it comes from not liking being in a restaurant and having to share the space with large parties myself. No matter how dignified a group can be, there is an inevitable noise level and disturbance that comes from a big table and the staff doing their best to deal with it. I’m not saying that big parties turn into wild animals but I am saying that they need a different level of service and to my mind private dining is the ideal solution.
Of course most restaurants will offer you their whole space should you be able to fill it, and this can be an excellent way forward for major celebrations like anniversaries or weddings, but for those smaller events you need to keep your eyes peeled for those places that offer a private room which is separate from their main restaurant. Over the years I have been lucky enough to dine in a great many such spaces. You may have read my review of a very special meal in West London a few months back where the offer was both special and very sensibly priced. Here in Brighton and Hove I have been lucky enough to go to many of the city’s best private dining rooms.
The Restaurant at Drakes is run by my good friend and International Chef Exchange star Andy MacKenzie. Their private dining room is an elegant space off the main restaurant where they can accommodate parties of up to 12 and comes with your own dedicated waiter for the evening. Having experienced this on several occassions I can wholeheartedly recommend the entire experience. It is elegant and sophisticated, chef Andy prepares exquisite food and they can offer you a pre-arranged menu or the full a la carte offer. If the event is your treat you can ask for the menus to have no prices on them, a smart touch that takes away any embarrassment for your guests when ordering. The wine list is also exceptional but you can quite easily pre-order your wines too if you need to stick to a budget. The Restaurant at Drakes is a propulsor dining experience for Brighton and Hove’s real food lovers and their private dining room is a very special experience. Andy MacKenzie prepares sophisticated dishes that are based on clever sourcing of the very best seasonal and regional ingredients and his acquisitive attitude to culinary ideas that over the years has seen him balance the new with the very best traditional cooking skills.
Over in Hove, Graze restaurant has always had a private dining room, but this has recently been redesigned. It was always smart and elegant but the new interior is opulent and rich. The look is a cross between a gentlemen’s club and boudoir with a rather saucy hint of opium den with the inclusion of richly decorated items of chinoisserie.
To balance this the food is absolutely of the moment with a menu that truly reflects contemporary fashions in cuisine. Their chef Adrian Hawkins has fast become a culinary exponent to watch and his clever dishes are exquisitely executed and presented, at times challenging convention but always delivering on taste and style.
Their private dining in the Regency Room is a versatile option. Up to 12 people can dine at their large square table or they can accommodate up to 24 along a grand banquetting table. The room is available for conferencing, small parties and presentations with cocktails or champagne with canapés, or for more formal dinners with menus from three to nine courses. They also offer a wine pairing option where each dish will be matched with an appropriate wine.
These are amongst my favourites but there are many more and it is often worth asking when you are planning a special event.
Private dining at Drakes
The impeccable restaurant at drakes nestles invitingly on the lower ground level of the revered drakes hotel on the Brighton seafront. With low key lighting, exposed brick work and elegantly set tables, an ambiance of relaxed glamour is created to suit every occasion.
There are two separate dining rooms available to book for private use: The stunning main dining room is perfect for larger groups of up to 40 guests whilst the smaller private dining room provides an intimate setting for up to 12 guests and comes complete with a dedicated waiter. This room is also well suited and fully equipped for meetings.
01273 696 934
43-44 Marine Parade
Brighton BN2 1PE
www.drakesofbrighton.com/
Graze
Graze Restaurant on Western Road, Hove, is home to The Regency Room, arguably the city’s best and certainly most unique private dining room.
Recently fully refurbished, the room pays homage to Brighton’s most celebrated resident, no, not Fatboy Slim, we mean of course King George IV, The Prince Regent, whose portrait takes pride of place in the room. Indeed the wall decorations nod fervently to the sort ‘Prinny’ (as his friends knew him) enjoyed in his palace The Royal Pavilion.
The Regency Room has a decadent atmosphere featuring some very interesting pieces such as a series of anthropomorphic animals imported from Italy, a small bar which looks like a mini stage and features an antique credenza and a variety of antique oriental wall coverings. Lighting has also been given plenty of thought and the numerous lamps and wall lights provide interest as well as intimate low lighting. We are told that one half of the partnership that own Graze, Neil or Manni as he is known, is fully responsible for the décor. Hats off to him!
Since the refurbishment the private room boasts a new large oval table which seats ten to sixteen diners, and provides room for guests to enjoy a drink in the bar area before dinner. Larger parties (max 22) can also be catered for along a banquet style table.
We think The Regency Room is perfectly suited to host your birthday party, your intimate wedding meal or your business dinner. As much as possible Graze tailors everything to your event and personal wishes including the menu, (options range from three to nine courses), the wines, (they have a great wine list), and the music as well as offering canapés, cocktails and so on.
Graze was borne in 2006 and well deserves its reputation as one of the very best places to dine in the city. They hold 2AA rosettes, are recommended by Michelin and are highly rated by The Good Food Guide.
The kitchen team are all about ingenious fine dining and create outstanding dishes to feature on their Modern British a la carte and speciality seven course tasting menus (including vegetarian). Passionate head chef Adrian Hawkins oozes enthusiasm and his dishes convey this, concentrating on flavour, aesthetics and texture in equal measure.
Should you have an event coming up, we highly recommend you get in touch with Kate (Graze’s other owner and the ‘face’ of Graze) straight away. The room books up fast.
The New Steine Bistro
The New Steine Bistro and private dining is well known as Brighton’s quirky French restaurant. Concentrating on homemade French cuisine, using top local produce exquisitely cooked by their French chef, the Bistro has gained a reputation for fine and private dining with extremely good value set menus alongside a la carte dining.
Their private dining room is the perfect place to host any celebration, from weddings to birthday parties, including special kids birthday packages and entertainment from magicians, Tarot readers, singers and live entertainment. The room benefits from natural daylight as well as its own private patio for those who wish to smoke or just enjoy some of Brighton’s sea air. “Come and try it, you certainly won’t regret it!” Says proprietor Hervé Guyat.
New Steine Hotel, 10-11 New Steine, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1PB,
01273 681546, www.newsteinehotel.com
Gars
Famous for quality Oriental cuisine, both classic and modern, Gars is one of Brighton’s most popular restaurants – of any kind. When it comes to stylish dining, celebrations and parties, this city centre venue comes at the top of many lists.
There is no doubt that the quality of the food at Gars has a lot to do with its popularity, but the smart designer interiors and excellent friendly service also play a big part in making this a top spot for that special night out. For those really special occasions the private dining room is an ideal choice. The lower ground floor suites have recently been redesigned and now boast stunning metallic wall coverings and fabulous Fornasetti print wallpaper featuring the iconic ‘Face Plates’ in black and white against a striking deep red background.
Seated, the private dining room will accommodate around 20 guests and for buffets even more. The kitchen offers a wide range of set feasts for such occasions or menus can be pre-arranged to suit your personal needs.
And after dinner you can indulge in karaoke. State-of-the-art equipment and plenty of microphones mean that everyone can join in the fun, and in total privacy, isolated from the rest of the restaurant.
It’s not just for grown ups either, Gars holds great kids parties with fun food, children simply love Chinese food, and, of course, karaoke too. It goes down well with everyone. Whether you want a sophisticated night of fine Oriental dining or a buffet of fabulous finger food and karaoke, the private dining room at Gars will certainly fit the bill.
Gars, 19 Prince Albert Street, Brighton, East Sussex, BN1 1HF, 01273 321321 www.gars.co.uk
