Due South

I had heard quite a bit about this place so thought it might be a difficult to get a table -thankfully the helpful person advised me at this time of year that there were tables available throughout the week. My wife and I had a great time we normally would not venture down to the beach at this time of year-but what a treat, food was heartyand the veiw spectacular as the waves came crashing in. It was a great way to enjoy the beach without having to share the experience with hundreds of others
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Dave gibson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I've had many good meals in Brighton, but I would go as far as to say that the experience my wife and I had at Due South today was the best. We were fortunate enough to get the best table in the house, adjacent to the window with a great view over the sea with the sun setting in the background. I started with a venison kebab, chargrilled to perfection, while my wife, a vegetarian, had a homemade pancake with wild mushrooms. Delicious as these were, it was the main courses that really stood out. I went for catch of the day, a freshly caught plaice, cooked in tarragon butter with new potatoes and salad on the side - to die for! Not much space left for dessert, but I couldn't resist the apple creme brule. I was sceptical but pleasantly surprised by the horseradish sorbet accompaniment!

The key the success of this place (apart from the location) is that the vast majority of ingredients are locally sourced and 100% fresh. The crisp, dry Sussex wine, would please even the most discerning of palates. Service, at times, was not particularly quick, but in that sort of location on a Sunday afternoon, it didn't seem to matter. All in all we left with a very positive impression and will certainly be back - highly recommended.
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MC 1978
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, October 25, 2009

Having heard a lot of good things about Due South I decided to treat my boyfriend (and myself) to a meal here for his birthday. I’m very pleased to say that it lived up to good reviews I had read on line and from friends.

All of the restaurant has a really nice atmosphere, we were sat at the back of the restaurant (late booking) but even away from the stunning window seats the lay out was charming with enough space between tables .

The food was delicious as was the wine (medium priced white). Being a seafood fan I was spoilt for choice and was extremely pleased with my platter of roast shellfish.

The only criticism I can make is that there was a bit of a delay in the serving of our starter but this was noted by our very friendly and approachable waiter who apologised in advance and brought us little samples of a starter to have while we waited, because the wait had been addressed and apologised for it really wasn’t an issue and we happily chatted while we waited.

The restaurant is a little bit towards the expensive side but if more than worth it, don’t save just for special occasions, go enjoy!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 01, 2009

First time I've posted a review to this site but felt it necessary given a couple of bad experiences of some people that might influence a newcomer's decision whether to visit or not.

I've eaten here several times over the last couple of years and on every occasion we've received nothing less than an extremely warm welcome, excellent service and top quality food.

The care and attention to detail is what sets this place apart from other restaurants in Brighton - yes, we're also spoilt in Brighton by having Seven Dials, Blanche House, Terre a Terre and now Fishy Fishy as well, all places I wouldn't hesitate to recommend also for similar reasons - but when you combine those crucial factors with the stunning location that Due South has to offer then I would have to say that this place is my favourite of all.

Unless you're minted this is a special occasion location. But to my mind worth every penny. We've never been disappointed or felt hard done by.

I say go to. You won't regret it. If you are dining with a loved one and can book early enough to secure the table for two at the top of the restaurant, in front of the main window with the beautiful sea view, then your visit will be complete :-)
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David
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Due South has left a great impression on me and my family. Situated directly by the seaside it is the ideal restaurant if it is sunny and warm. So my whole family decided to come down for Saturday lunch. We were kindestly greeted upon arrival by a very charming waiter, who immediately offered us a spotlessly set table outside. The menu offers very fresh, local, seasonal and organic food and you can really taste that everything is made on the day. Having read the menu we finally opted for a chilled pea soup & pork kebabs for starters & beet root risotto & lamb for main. With that we ordered a bottle of Sancerre from Due South's very well composed and selected wine menu. As children eat for free, those two of ours got two portions of fish and chips free of charge - a very nice gesture. Whilst we were sitting in the sun shine we got a lovely basket of fresh, homemade bread and butter. The bread was delicious, still warm and fluffy. You could tell the chefs care about their creations already at the beginning. Service was efficient, yet not rushed at all. We were very well looked after and offered drinks at various times. Our meals were very well presented and wonderfully cooked to perfection. Althouth we were almost full up after our mains, we could not resist the temptation of having pudding. Hence we decided to go for a dark chocolate pave' with espresso ice cream and strawberries & cream alongside a fluffy homemade scone. Both dessert were fantastic. Especially the pave' was a treat -creamy yet not too filling; perfection in every bite i took. Our kids got some homemade vanilla ice cream On top of that we were given some lovely petit fours with our bill, which we had to take home as we were just too full.

What is left to say? Due South is a great place to eat in Brighton. Service & food are very well finetuned. Everything was perfect. We will definitely return very soon.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 24, 2009

We had heard so much about this place and how great it was, but it turned out to be very disappointing.

The first problem was that it is renowned for it's fresh fish, yet there seemed to be so little on the menu, I know it's not been the best summer for the fishermen, but still, there is still plenty on the fish mongers slab right now.

The main issue was insulting portion sizes. I have been to plenty of pretentious restaurants in the past, but never before have I had to send a dish back because of the amount placed in front of me ('Ravioli' consisted of one 2 inch piece of pasta in a thin broth, even as a starter it would have been considered a bit tight, but as a £17 main!!!!). To be fair some of the other portions we received weren't quite as bad, but it was very variable.

The quality of the food was average and a lot of it came luke warm, so from a value for money perspective, one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to. The only saving grace was that the waiting staff were friendly and it was a nice ambience.

This seems to be one of those annoying restaurants that lets past accolades go to its head and gets lazy, churning out a load of mutton dressed as lamb.
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Thursday, August 13, 2009

There used to be two major positives to Due South. The first is undoubtedly the location (no change there) the second is the food (big ditereation). Unfortunately the quality of the food at due south has slipped considerably. We have tried to eat there on a Sunday for lunch twice and each time we have abandoned our table because we find that five or six dishes have been crossed off the menu (this was at 1.30pm). The portions are smaller and less thought is being put into the the menu (it's mostly fsih now) - porbably consequences of the credit crunch.

There is a third point to make which to us is the most important and led us to conclude that we would never return to Due South. The service has never been great here. There is definitely an air of arrogance and pretention about the restaurant management. For example this is the only restaurant in Brighton I know of that insists on taking credit card details for bookings. The restaurant also has a ludicrous policy of not allowing advance bookings for the tables outside meaning that passing trade often gets priority over regular loyal diners.

I used to use Due South for personal and business dining - i will never return unless new management can return this restaurant to its former glory days. It's gone off the boil, is over priced and has relyed for too long on a reputation that has long since diminished. Try Fishy Fishy or English's instead - you will get a much better experience.
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NG
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Not great, considering the build up. I assumed it would have been better quality...
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Wanda - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 4
Monday, July 13, 2009

visiting elderly friends in Brighton i was eager to visit due south, having read numerous reviews & mentions in the national press. A beautifully warm summers eve stroll along the beachfront past numerous tacky seaside bars & kiss me quick style souvenier shops brought us to the restaurant. How different to the adjoining sites - an oasis of calm. Attentive, casually dressed waiting staff led us to our table, we were quickly brought our drinks - mine a perfectly made dry martini. The menu doesn't do justice to the concept, presentation or flavour of the dishes on offer - no nouvelle cuisine but a precise hand at work with knowledgable pairing of flavours and tastes. Fresh fish perfectly cooked, locally reared beef steak with truffle mash, foraged herb risotto.. all came in a timely manner and went perfectly with the wines selected by the knowledgable sommelier. Puddings are a treat - we opted for the selection to share - then had to re order another selcetion as the went down almost far to good with the bottle of dessert wine. Cheese - local - came presented on a slate board with the names of the cheeses written in chalk - a great touch. Port & coffee watching the sun set over the pier and the wierd and wonderful people Brighton has to offer.

I would recommend this place and can't wait to return again as i read they change the menu regualrly.
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Mr S.H
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 03, 2009

Went here last night on the basis of the strong reviews from the national press. Unfortunately very disappointing. The waitress seemed nice enough but the service was pretty average and it took an absolute age for the food to come out - we sat there an hour before the starters were served and nearly another hour for the mains. Out of the 7 different dishes the four of us tried, only one was considered delicious (Rib-eye), the rest were simply ok. And having waited so long for the food they started clearing the table before I had finished. Rather than complain I simply wanted to get out of there. Overall I can't say I enjoyed the experience a great deal. Has a lot of potential, but not realised on this vist and I don't think any of us are particularly keen to return.
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will
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Saturday, June 20, 2009