Riddle & Finns

Went for lunch with my oh who is not a fish lover by any stretch of the imagination, but will eat fish'n'chips :-) He opted for the two course special for £12.95, for which he got Thai mussels and whiting and chips. Both courses were really tasty and cooked well. The mains was a little on the small side, but overall it was a good meal for the money. I indulged with my favourite scallops as a starter which were just yummy then had one of the specials of the day, a whole gilt-head bream. This is again one of my favourites, and preferable to me to sea bass. The flesh was white, moist and flavoursome, mmm mmm mmm! The bread and mackeral pate presented before the starters is always a nice touch, along with the butter, mayonnaise and horseradish, although, in our case, I was the only one to eat the pate (quelle domage!) and neither of us had the mayonnaise. A chilled bottle of Tempranillo rose went very well with the meal, and finally, have to mention our friendly, efficient waitress who looked after us very well.
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Anne Bond - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 21, 2012

Six of us had a fantastic time care of Riddle & Finns. The quality and service was faultless.

We wanted something different for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary: six of us had a half day's sea fishing c/o Riddle & Finns followed by a superb evening meal in the restaurant using what we caught (and more). Fantastic fun fishing follwed by some fabulous cooking and service in the evening.

The service from Philip & team was warm and welcoming and we would thoroughly recommend this experience.
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dave and jane - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 13, 2011

Took my sister-in-law for a belated birthday lunch on 27th May. Absolutely buzzing when we walked in and, as mentioned before, you are seated next to your companion at the table and therefore have two strangers seated opposite. This doesn't feel uncomfortable and adds to the experience. The candelabras are a lovely touch, as are the high marble tables. After some very small mackeral pate with bread and dips, we shared our starters; scallops with lemon juice and king prawns in a chilli sauce. Then for mains (we again shared) keralan fish curry with shrimp bhajee and monkfish with a cumin risotto. The house white was dry and fruity, very gluggable and the food was absolutely delicious. The service was friendly, efficient and we never felt rushed or had to wait an age either. The prices reflect the high quality of the food, although they do offer a lunch special, two courses for about £12.00, so you do have a choice. Thoroughly recommend for a slap-up meal.
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Anne Bond
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, May 30, 2011

I booked Riddle and Finns for brunch for 16 girls as a special start to my friends Hen Night. We got to the restaurant at 11am on Saturday morning and it looked beautiful and exactly what we were after (loved the candelabras!)

The staff were all absolutely fantastic, making us feel really special. And they didn't complain once when asked to take a group photo with numerous cameras and made a real fuss of the bride to be!

The prosecco we ordered was fantastic, and a perfect start to our day! And then the food...! I think between the 16 of us we more or less ordered most of the dishes on the brunch menu and everyone of us commented on how great they tasted. I opted for the scallops and crispy bacon (which was amazing!) but I found myself jealous of everyone else's dish too... (so an excuse to go back then!) I also heard rave reviews of the oysters kilpatrick so wanted to give them a special mention...

I would highly reccomend this restaurant and I will definitely be going back.
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Liz
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Crazy crazy place! Had a meal here on Saturday with my boyfriend on a recommendation from our hotel. We were told to expect a wait for a table (no bookings are taken), so we headed down to see what all the fuss was about. Sure enough, 8.45, the place is heaving and the chap on the door tells us we'll have to go for a 'cheeky' glass of wine nearby first, and that he'd call us when he could get us in. All very reassuring.

We are called back in about 45 minutes later and shown to our table, sharing with 2 or 3 other couples a la seafood bar style, which we weren't too sure about to begin with. However, my boyfriend got chatting to the man opposite and by the end of the meal we're drinking the same wine and deciding where the 4 of us should go next! Certainly not what we were expecting so if you want a private meal you shouldn't go to Riddles and Finns.

The food was amazing, beautifully cooked, incredibly tasty but not over the top. The same can be said of the service, better than anything we've ever had in our native London! Staff are friendly, flirty and super efficient. The kitchen is open plan so you can see the chefs working too, although they are complete blur! - there is a real buzz about the place.

The best thing though is the atmosphere - the staff look happy and the music is funky! Can;t wait to go again!
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Liz and Jeremy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 28, 2011

This place is a gem! We go regularly and have always had an amazing time! In fact we go so much that when I hapened upon this website and saw the latest review I was compelled to act! The staff, along with food are what make this place what it is - vibrant, friendly and unpretentious. I can only assume that the reviewer below must have caught them on a very rare 'bad day'.
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Dave and lisa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 01, 2010

We booked a table for my 30th Birthday at this restaurant. There were 12 of us and I must say the staff were very rude. They wanted us out as soon as we had eaten and were more concerned about taking money that actually providing a good service.

All of my group commented on the rudeness of the staff and all of them said that none of them would visit again. We are all very disappointed as my partner had read great reviews on here.
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John Stevens
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Monday, November 08, 2010

Ten out of Ten. I had 6 of the 'guest oysters' followed by Riddle and Finns fish soup. My wife kept to one course, namely the fish pie. Despite the somewhat pretentious ring to 'guest oysters' our extremely cheerful and knowledgeable waiter's description of the Jersey oysters won me over. They were beautifully presented and tasted sublime. The listing of the soup as a main course offered a clue that this was not to be any old starter soup. It came under a huge, deliciously seductive pile of mussels and razor clams topped by a crayfish. The taste was superb. The accompaniment of a novel pill-like paper napkin that exploded when immersed into the finger bowl was an amusing but very practical touch. My wife's fish pie looked and tasted sumptuous, not too heavy, with an interesting mix of fish including perfectly cooked scallops. The staff were friendly and attentive throughout. We were there for lunch on a Friday in October: we arrived early and had no problem finding a table. Business livened while we were there. The atmosphere was what you would expect from customers enjoying good food. It was a gem of a restaurant.
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Eric Callway
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 17, 2010

What an incredible experience! This restaurant delivers something all to rare in brighton - amazing food and fantastic, honest service. We went for lunch and enjoyed an incredible set lunch for £12.95 - (includes tea and coffee). They had sold out of Muscadet, the wine we'd chosen, upon which the waitress suggested we try a fantastic english wine for cheaper. Her happiness to suggest something less expensive rather than jumping on an opportunity to peddle a more expensive choice was as refreshing as the wine! A sign of staff who have real confidence in the restaurant they work for.

What topped off the whole experience was when we came to pay, Unaware that service had been included, my husband attempted to give the manager, a lovely young man, £10 in cash. Realising our oversight, he was quick to point out that service was included All those money grabbing chains in brighton take note - this is honest service that customers appreciate. We will return! Thanks R & F
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, August 12, 2010

The food is fab and the staff are very friendly, this restaurant had a great buzz. If you only visit one seafood restaurant in Brighton it must be this one. It is very reasonably priced as well.
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L hedley
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 04, 2010