The Gingerman

We visited The Gingerman on a recent trip to Brighton. We had seen it recommended in The Observer so were expecting a lot but we were not disappointed! It is a small and cosy room that leads to an intimate and relaxed feeling. Despite our initial reservations on reading the menu and thinking that there wasn't anything to take our fancy we were very pleasantly surprised. The food was some of the best we have had. Well worth a visit!!!
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Rob
Friday, April 11, 2008

I have been looking forward to eating here for sometime and as such my expectations were high and on the whole I have to say it did not disappoint. Being asked tap water or bottled was a nice start and I thought the freshly baked dread with accompanying board was a nice touch and the taster soup was creamy and a nice way to get the taste buds going. Starters and mains were excellent and of the standard you would expect of such a highly regarded restaurant. Particular highlights were the lambs tongue, it would change any negative opinion of offal, it really was delicious, as was the bread and butter pudding. I think both these dishes showcase what this place, unlike so many in Brighton, seems to be about. That being getting the most out of simple ingredients and making really tasty, uncomplicated and well priced food. The wine list was small but nicely balanced and reasonably priced (had a really lovely bottle of pinot noir for £18) as was the meal at £75 for two. I would add though it is a very small space and despite there being a good amount of conversation it is intimate and may not be to everyone’s taste.
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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Visited Brighton for Valentine's weekend and booked a table at The Gingerman at Norfolk Square on the back of recommendations on this website. We were delighted with our choice, thought it was one of the best restaurants we've visited in months. Lovely ambience, the staff were friendly and attentive without being at all cloying, and the food was fantastic. I can't stop thinking about my main course - the 'fish of the day' special, a delicious, creamy, halibut and seabass stew with new potatoes and buttered leeks - and wishing I could have it again. (I can't - we live in Sheffield...) Really lovely restaurant, highly recommended.
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Sarah
Sunday, March 02, 2008

This was our first visit to Brighton and as we were unsure on were to eat, my Husband was recommended to visit this restuarant and it certainly didn't disappoint. The food was the nicest we have tatsed in a long, long time. The quality of the food was second to none. Excellent service by the two waiting on staff, who were attentive but not pushy. The wine list was very extensive and we choose a lovely bottle of Pinor Noir which complemented the food beautifully.

Would have no hesitation in recommending this restuarant and we will definately return on our next visit to Brighton.
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Mrs S Hill
Monday, January 14, 2008

My first visit to the Gingerman and wow...what a little gem ! I booked this restaurant having read many good reviews and I was not disappointed. The food was excellent, with an amazing combination of flavours, the service was very attentive but discreet and the little touches, such as the warm crusty bread and olives and the sweet potato soup appetisers were delightful. The restaurant buzzed with atmosphere (it was a Sat night) but was quite relaxed and informal. Considering we had all the courses, coffee and a bottle of fine wine, the final bill was defintely wallet friendly. It's always a challenge to find a true fine dining restaurant but without the extortionate prices - but this is certainly one of them !

Everything on the menu did look fantastic. However, If I were to find some positive criticism then this would be in relation to the somewhat lack of vegetarian options within the menu - most of the dishes (at least when we visited) were predominantly meat based. Difficult, I know, to find a good balance when there's only 6 mains to choose from. This is only a minor observation which wouldn't stop me returning again - soon I hope.
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Rob
Tuesday, December 11, 2007

mmmmm scrummy. About time somebody in this appalling city of repulsive chain restaurants and money-grabbing clueless amateur restaurateurs showed them how it is supposed to be done.

There were a myriad of small touches that made this visit pleasurable, the small, fresh loaf of warm bread, the olives in lemon and oil, the way i was greeted at the door and my coat was patiently hung up for me, there's almost too many to document. Food was great. Nice to see the work of a kitchen who actually wants to do a skilled, professional job without cutting corners, also, a genuine interest in food from all the staff. When was the last time you saw that in this city?

For what it offers, i was more than happy to pay £37 for 3 courses, wine list was small but well-chosen and wasn't trying too hard. Nice little restaurant that clearly blows away all the lame competition.

If you read this and you're considering opening a restaurant, or perhaps you're one of the clueless bureaucrats working for a pub chain looking to open another 6 versions of little italy in Brighton, ignore what your shareholders want and go here. This is how a restaurant should be.
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gbchunks
Thursday, December 06, 2007

Having eaten at the Gingerman several times in my 10 years in Brighton I have to say it is consistently the best food in Brighton that I have tasted. My last meal there made me really cross with myself that I had not been there more frequently in recent times; something I have now addressed! Keep up the good work.
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RM
Thursday, November 01, 2007

First Class. Went for friday lunch last week with a friend, and purely on the basis of other reviews on this site. Amazing. Small, neutrally decorated and very unassuming, we took our seats in the Gingerman and enjoyed impeccable service and food of a standard that is rare to find these days. A warm loaf was put in front of us as we ordered the best foie gras I have ever tasted, followed by a perfectly cooked steak each, which came with some greens and some incredible truffle mash. We were attempting not to drink, but the wine list suggested otherwise, and we had a truly wonderful South African Pinotage to accompany our meal. We couldn't manage pudding, but the list looked very good. The bill came to about £50 each after we'd added a service charge, but without wine, this would've been considerably less, and for the delightfiul surroundings, wonderfully prepared ingredients and great service this place deserves all the praise it gets. Superb.
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H.M.
Sunday, October 28, 2007

Always good. A real delight. The food is inspirational, even though its not cheap I think its good value for the quality and the wine buyer is a genius. Whenever I've visited - usually weekday lunchtimes - suppliers have arrived with their fares - fish, veg, wine - which they chat about with the chef - I enjoy listening in - and I see how much they care about what they are doing.

Even my aged parents who don't like 'fussy food' were ecstatic about the food and service at the Gingerman - they talked about it for weeks - I was pleased to hear that the staff really looked after them and made their day so special.

This is a great restaurant, up there with London restaurants, yet cosy and on my doorstep.

Highly recommended.
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Lolo Pawson
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

4 of us dined here last sunday(3rd),and we all agreed this place gets better and better,one of the best if not the best Brighton has to offer,stars of the show were the seared tuna with beetroot and pumkin crustede venison,all cooked to perfection.Keep up the excellent work!!
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Thursday, June 07, 2007