Terraces Bar and Grill

Dear reviewers, i hope the site will not be offended if i leave a comment of my own, as it may dispel some myths and answer some question about the changes at The Terraces.

We have for some time been struggling with our identity, and have received many comments as to what our product is, for some people we are seen as a community coffee shop, and for others a restaurant, not to mention our very successful function suits. this has all become very confusing.

In answer to lots of requests and suggestions from our local based communities we drew the conclusion that people prefer we concentrate on one particular aspect of the business, an aspect which was slightly neglected and that was food.

We have put in place a new and very well received menu offering we believe something for everyone, with excellent specials and more importantly every dish is prepared freshly in house by a great team of chefs who really hit the ground running with this initiative ! We have also updated our function menus, also very well received , especially by the people who have already made bookings, through to august 2009 as they are excited that the menu will be fresh and up to date.

we concentrate on food service between 12pm till 3pm and 6pm till 11pm,

although we still welcome guests for coffees and drinks in the mornings and afternoon's, our home made desserts have been a terrific hit with afternoon coffee.

We apologise to any of our regular customers who feel the changes are not suited to them, but perhaps one day when you are looking for a place with great food and professional service you will give us a try, we think you will like it.

Karl Jones

General manager
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Karl Jones
Sunday, March 09, 2008

like Tduggan, I too have been here many times. The service has been slow but the views make the consequently longer stay here worthwhile.

Alas, here's the message I sent to the Company after my last visit:

"After a great day out in Brighton, I suggested to some friends that we round off with a coffee and a drink upstairs at Terraces before we left for home. The weather was great, the view tremendous as we sat down at 3.15pm [on 19 Feb 08] - but what a let down. Despite there being hardly anyone else around, your staff refused to serve anything unless we ordered food. Now, I should point out that our group was a respectable party of four 50+ s - not some undesirables etc.

The staff [there were 3 all doing nothing - since they had no other customers to speak of] - were a bit apologetic but said it was management policy. I asked if I could speak to the manager, but was told there was no point - all they'd say was that his name was Karl.

So we left and went on to Cafe Rouge which got our business rather than your company. I'm sorry about this, because I have been coming to Terraces for several years - usually for a meal. Not sure now I'll be coming back and subject to your response will post a message to this effect on the Web in due course. But, then perhaps you aren't aware of what is going on and why your local manager is turning business away from a deserted venue whilst still paying for staff."

2 weeks after sending this, I've had no response from either the Company or Karl, so draw your own conclusions and visit this place without any expectations of service. So no points at all awarded on 3 counts.
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Saturday, March 08, 2008

Love the new menu! was looking for it on the internet to steal some ideas of what I could cook at home to impress, found this review site and thought why not I'll review it! love the view makes you wanna stay forever I had the sharing sea food platter would of orderd one for myself and not share it was so nice
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David Williams
Thursday, March 06, 2008

I was going to make a comment over wishing there was a kids menu available but looking at people's reviews I feel now it over shadow my issue and I feel now as if though I need to defend that little restaurant over looking the sea. I too went to the restaurant before the change and I know before the service would be so slow and if the tables were all taken I might have to eat off a coffe table and sometimes would be annoyed that the people sat on the restaurant tables would be only drinking while reading newspapers and books but as everyone else as I can see were surprised by the change I also loved it I come in three or two times a week for a weekday lunch I really enjoy the menu and finding new dishes to try when before I would only have the same thing over and over again. well I recommend it
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emma ward
Thursday, March 06, 2008

Never again.

We regularly used Terraces 1-2 times a week spending £30-60 each time) and were really encouraged by the initial menu changes.

However, we went last week and were declined a table as we were not sure if we were going to eat. We typically had a bottle or two of wine and decided with food when we settled down (it is a bar after all).

This is a superb location but clearly the new manager is going to kill business in this restaurant pretty quickly.
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tduggan - View all reviews by this user
Sunday, February 24, 2008

I visit the terraces regularly with business clients to show them 'the best of brighton' and to experience modern seafront dining, I was Shocked with the changes, no longer relaxed and casual it's now become just another stuffy restuarant that in no way represents the young vibrant city that is Brighton. I questioned the new so called Manager Carl on the changes. His response was pretentious and arrogant hence I will never return, What a waste.
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FH
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

It is with great disappointment that I find myself having to write this review. I am a hotel owner in Brighton who regularly sends my guests to Terrace Bar & Grill, unfortunately though after my experience with the new manager Carl on Sat 9th Feb, I shall no longer be doing so!

Never have I had the misfortune of dealing with such a rude and arrogant man who seemingly has no concept of customer service.

After just one week with Carl at the helm the entire atmosphere of the restaurant, and his poor stressed out staff, has resulted in a very unpleasant experience all round.

As a final note my very expensive (25-pound) Chateaubriand was served cold.
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Appalled Hotel Owner
Sunday, February 10, 2008

I agree with a previous comment, in that this used to be a favourite venue of mine. I liked the sofas and low tables upstairs as well as the bar stools which gave the room a casual and welcoming air.

Now - under the new management - all that has gone, its very formal and the menu is all about '£10 plus' main courses with no sandwiches, cakes or lighter bites, other than the starters. I ordered Sword Fish which the menu said came with herb salad and fried potatoes, it arrived with boiled pototoes and green beans.The manageress was "sorry they couldn't do chips instead" but five minutes later the waiter came with a herb salad and offered me chips - which I gratefully accepted. So at least they tried to correct their mistakes.

My husband was charged £10.50 for a salad with the price seemingly justified by it being served with a whole camembert - far too much for one person at lunchtime. This also seemed unbalanced with the rest of the platter which had included Parma ham of which there was only 1 solitary slice.

I'm not sure how well this new format is going to do. Just whilst we sat there this lunchtime a couple of women sat on the outside terrace, took a look at the menu and then decided better of it and walked away. It just seems too limited, too formal and too expensive for the venue (right on the beach) and its wasting the opportunity to offer coffees, drinks and nibbles etc.

What a shame!
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Carla Holden
Thursday, February 07, 2008

This has been a long-time favourite - the food was always good and the staff very friendly. But when I went on Sunday 3rd Feb I discovered it's under new management. The 'lounge style' has disappeared and the new appearance is 'upright dining'. New menu wasn't available so we selected what hadn't been inked-off the old menu. The chicken in my Caesar Salad was overcooked and the croutons were stale. The burger was dry as a bone with a burnt bun and chewy, lukewarm chips. Coffee was tepid. Service was polite but mostly disinterested. To be fair, it's only been a couple of weeks since takeover so I'm looking forward to my next visit to try out the new menu. Fingers crossed the new management will rise to the occassion and a fantastic location.
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Tuesday, February 05, 2008

I came with a party of 15 people for a meal. I had heard the service could be a little slow but this was ridiclous. We arrived a little early for our meal and was ushered round the corner to a sofa where a waiter promised he would come and take our order for a drink. No-one turned up even after prompting. After seating at our table and our order was taken, half the menu was crossed off, inculding drinks. The food was nice and fresh even though the menu was a little restrictive.

That was the last we saw of our waiter, no-one came to see if our meals were okay or to see if we would of liked the desert ( there was a choice of 1 !! ) So we paid the bill and went elsewhere.

It's a shame as the food was great but we were really let down by the service, which was unacceptable. If I was you go elsewhere, where they care if you come back or not !!
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Sunday, February 03, 2008