A toast from Coast restaurant in Brighton’s East Street

Coast restaurant in The Lanes has unveiled a new menu & great offers for 2014. Andrew Kay finds out more

It’s a bright day before the end of 2013 when I enter Coast in East Street and there is an air of excitement. Closed for the day, there is a meeting taking place and a buzz in the air. This is a time of change for Coast and the new team are meeting to settle on the changes that are being made for a relaunch and a revamp, everything from the menu and wine list to the general style.

Eve Banks, Mirek Grzadziela and chef Lukas Trzebiatowski are sat around a table surrounded by papers filled with ideas for the new menu. Eve and Mirek have been brought in to make the changes and run Coast, while Lukas will be in the kitchen putting the new menu in place.

So what is at the core of the changes diners will see this year at the popular East Street restaurant? Eve, a seasoned restaurant manager with many years experience explains: “The new Coast offers great grilled food, steaks, burgers, ribs and chicken as well as a menu of non-meat dishes and classics. We have retained dishes from the old menu, the ones that we know people love and will expect to find, but there are plenty of exciting new ideas on our menu. Mirek and I have worked together in steak restaurants and have a great knowledge of how a grill restaurant works best, and what people like too.”

“Right now, people like value for money,” adds Mirek. “With the public being more careful about how they spend, we offer great value and of course transparency. Too many menus disguise the fact that all side dishes are extras. We ensure that what you pay for is a complete meal, but there are great sides to order as extras too!”

So the new broom is sweeping away the tired old dishes and introducing a selection of classic grill dishes. “We offer great meats sourced with care and cooked well,” says Lukas. “It’s important for me that we buy the very best that we can and where possible buy locally. The public expect that and we hope to be able to deliver it. We also have seasonal specials that change on a regular basis and daily specials too, reflecting the exciting things that we find along the way. What we serve will be made in our own kitchen – there will certainly be no bought in sauces or frozen products on the menu, again something that the discerning diner expects in a quality restaurant.”

Coast is situated in a lovely old building in The Lanes, a small venue that seats around 36 but with double that capacity on the square outside that can be very busy in the warm weather. Mirek is excited about making the most of that space.

“We are currently having new branded barriers made that will clearly define and identify Coast’s al fresco space and bring it together with the interior. Our staff wear a simple but smart and stylish new uniform so that diners can be certain who is serving them when they choose to eat outside, and here in Brighton many people like to sit outside and enjoy a drink or a coffee with a snack all year round.

“Inside we will be emphasising the cosy intimacy of the space. Coast has never been mean with space, but we want to make it feel cosier, especially in the winter months.”

So how does Coast fare price-wise? “Our menu offers starters from £4.95 to £7, mains from £8.95 and desserts from £4.95,” says Eve. “We have a new lunchtime offer for busy people who need to eat well but have little time. A guaranteed delivery time is part of that offer but also a very competitive price of just £7.95 which includes a drink.”

Coast runs buy one get one half price promotions on food and all-you -can-eat ribs on selected days. Visit their website to keep up to date with current offers “Alongside our great meats, quality burgers and our unique spiced rub for meat, we also cater for vegetarians,” adds Mirek.

“And don’t forget our unique slow roasted ribs with three glazes: sweet and spicy Alabama, Jack Daniels and cranberry and cola!” adds Lukas. “The meat simply falls off the bone.”

Kids are well catered for too with a selection of classics and also the offer of smaller portions from the main menu on dishes where possible. Coast is the perfect venue for parties too with its central location and great atmosphere. Plus, if it’s your birthday you eat for free if you’re dining with three or more guests!

They are now taking bookings for Valentine’s Day too. I leave them to their plans, and their excitement. The changes being made should re-affirm Coast as a great local restaurant and we wish them a bright new future.

Coast, 28 East Street, The Lanes , Brighton, BN1 1HL, 01273 723256
www.coastbrighton.co.uk
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