La Marinade

We lunched at La Marinade today, getting there in the teeth of a ferocious gale. Not surprisingly, we were the only brave souls to have defied the elements.

I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough. It is small, and lovingly tended by Mr Lang (who is also the chef) and his lovely wife.

The chicken livers in jus were immaculately prepared, as was the guineafowl to follow. And I defy anyone to do a better banana flambe. My companion was equally pleased with her (altogether different) selection. All this for £15 a head, would you believe?

But the crowning touch. As I say, it was a foul day, and my companion is even older than me! As we looked out of the window at what we were heading into, Mr Lang (Nick) asked us where we were going. Jessica told him. "Oh", he said, "I'm going that way now. So just wait here for two minutes and I'll bring the car round."

He drove us to Jessica's door, and helped her from the car to the front door. Savoy, Ritz, Dorchester, beat that!
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Tony Wallace - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, December 08, 2011

Excellent food and a friendly atmosphere - and incredibly good value. The £15.00 3 course set menu was inventive and delicious, and the apple crumble icecream absolutely gorgeous. We took a chance on this place, based on one Guardian review and don't regret it - we'll be back.
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Diane
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 30, 2011

booked thanks to the Argus 2 courses for a tenner deal and really glad we did. Fantastic meal - really enjoyed it. Friendly service too (and chef said to make sure we mentioned how handsome he is!)
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Nick Tapp
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 05, 2011

went to this restaurant last week. Had never been there before but had had it recommended to me by a friend. We were not disappointed. I had chicken and bacon salad to start and it was gorgeous. For her main my wife had guinea fowl with shallots and mushrooms and she raved about it, not too fussy - just simple and really well cooked food - couldn't quite believe we got two courses each for a tenner. The armosphere is buzzy, the service attentive but not too attentive, and the chef is a real character. Go if you like a relaxed fun night out and great food.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 03, 2010

I just don't understand how 'La Marinade' has managed to get (and keep) this high score! I went there a couple of weeks ago with my parents, being a Brighton local I suggested the Seven Dials restaurant which is always great for a lunchtime cheap-eat- but my mum had read so much fantastic feedback online about La Marinade she insisted we go there instead.

When we arrived there was absolutely no one there, in spite of the person who took our booking ordering us to arrive at dead on 1pm. The floors and table cloths (paper- ugh) were dirty and it was very much like sitting in someone's front room.

We ordered our food, which had sounded good from the menu but were disappointed to discover that the starters of devilled kidneys and chicken livers would not be served with bread, unless we paid an extra charge. My starter was distinctly mediocre, and my main course of pork served with sauteed potatoes and peppers continued along the same lines. All in all- I feel as though I could have had a better meal, and atmosphere, if I had cooked lunch for myself. And we wouldn't have had to pay for it!
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Laura
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 22, 2010

I absolutely love La Marinade and fortunately live locally.

It's cosy, unassuming and very relaxed. The food is always excellent and the service sublime (especially from the lovely Indian (I think) lady who is there when it's busy).

The chef is rather casual in his appearance (and he often does appear!), but his food is consistently great.

If you'd like somewhere without the pretentiousness of many of Brighton's restaurants then here is certainly the best place to come.
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David Milner - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 31, 2010

As Brightonians in our forties and seventies we thought we knew all of the city's eateries, but this was our first visit to The Marinade. What an agreeable surprise to discover this little gem tucked away in the quiet end of Kemp Town.

Four of us had dinner there last night and enjoyed every mouthful of the imaginative and exquisitely prepared food. We each had different starters and main courses and all agreed that every dish was superb.

So, if you like a little eccentric individualty and your main focus is on quality food rather than decor, their creative menu, a sensibly priced wine list and good humoured service will endear this restaurant to you. We look forward to our next visit.
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BRIAN AND MARY CREMER/ROB AND JANE PURBROOK - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, February 22, 2009

My partner and I had lunch at La Marinade recently and although the food was good, the ambience left a lot to be desired. It felt like we were sitting in someone's front room. Furthermore the person who served us could have at least put on a clean t-shirt and changed out of his pyjama trousers. Also, we sat by the window and I couldn't see out because it hadn't been cleaned for ages. The place was cold too. We were there for just over an hour and there was no one else eating when we arrived and no one else came in. Somehow I don't think we will be going back.
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GayDavidBrighton - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Saturday, February 14, 2009