Brighton Way (Bar, Restaurant)

Top 10 things you should know about Brighton Way:

1) Streatham is up and coming. Not just one of the few places to still find a Wimpy, it’s becoming gentrified! Until then, we have to rely on new eatery Brighton Way, to deliver the goods. At least, that was what I expected.

2) It didn’t start well. Temporarily lost, we eventually found the restaurant’s tiny sign. Feeling deterred and grumbling, I walked in to surroundings that would not be out of place in Soho; groovy.

3) About us there were pretty people, bare brick walls, good-mood music, low lighting, an impressive bar, comfy chairs and a hipster wooden bench area. There was even an iron love seat for two at the bar. My expectations were being met!

4) I ordered the Lassie cocktail, a different take on the old staple pina colada. Filled with coconut cream, tequila and lime, it’s thinner but just as potent. Wonderful!

5) Drinks sorted, I ordered the crab tempura starter. It arrived looking lovely, just how you’d expect a crab starter to be. Sadly, though, the flavours were not quite there and it missed the chance to be impressive by a simple lack of seasoning. The burnt jelly served alongside was a strange taste which both did and did not improve the taste of the crab. It did by adding seasoning, but didn’t because the burnt lime jelly didn’t go with the crab.

6) A bellini is a drink of sweetness and sparkle, but mine lacked both as did my guests. Things weren’t looking up.

7) Determined not to form a bad opinion of a new restaurant, I ordered the evening’s special of duck confit and fondant potatoes which was marginally better than the starter. The potatoes were fluffy inside and timed/cooked perfectly, but again missed the seasoning mark. The duck, meanwhile, was well done.

8) My guest ordered ribs, sweet potato fries and onion rings. The onion rings started off with a good crunch but soon became oily and soggy. The ribs were good and the fries, perfect.

9) By time dessert was on the cards, I didn’t want to eat anything else but my guest ordered the Daim cheesecake which she described as very sweet and very dense but enjoyable.

10) The lack of finesse in the food can only be slightly forgiven by the prices which were not too bad but when you expect so much and get little in return, it’s hard to enjoy yourself....read more