I have eaten out quite a bit this month as evidenced by the cancellation of my Abel and Cole box and the frequency with which I am having to discard bags of salad these days. But this is not because of some suddenly lavish lifestyle. Hell no quite the opposite. Pascere opened its doors on the 3rd July and in those early weeks I was waitressing and hosting most nights. Even now I am often at the restaurant talking to customers and listening to feedback, seeing what sells, seeing what customers are particularly enjoying so that I can tweak and refine the offering over time. This is proving invaluable and fascinating since I am also learning about the constraints of being able to offer what customers want and the complications of running a restaurant. But that’s a whole other story.
So my eating habits have had to change. Dinner is at about 4 or 5. For a quick but delicious bite I can often be found at Riddle and Finn in the lanes for the smoked salmon and blinis, or the salmon and avocado tartare with caviar and dill crème fraiche (wonderful) or the pan-fried squid or calamari, both perfectly cooked and always superb, the squid yielding and soft. These are always accompanied by a glass of Pol Roger, my go to champagne of choice (of the large houses).
Alternatively, if I’m in a real rush Moshimo has provided me with mounds of sashimi and seaweed plucked off the counter in the ultimate exemplification of fast food. Speaking of fast food, one word, LEON. Seriously, it’s good. Fresh, healthy delicious boxes of food. I love their superfood salad, a medley of broccoli, quinoa, peas, feta and avocado, to which I often add the chargrilled chicken which is beautifully charred thigh meat, much more flavoursome than breast. The falafel is also excellent served with roasted red peppers and a tahini dressing.
Of course, on the odd occasion I have decided to dine at Pascere one of the best nights was an impromptu evening spent at the counter overlooking the open kitchen watching our chefs at work while I enjoyed the lamb breast and a glass of my current favourite red Sangiovese (ok, two glasses). What a great way to dine alone but not alone.
So dear readers, next month I promise you I will get out and about to bring you some critique of Sussex dining… after all there is so much going on in the food scene of Sussex.
EDITORS NOTE:
The question has long been asked can a poacher turn gamekeeper? According to the Guardian, the answer is yes. Their head food writer, Marina O’Loughlin visited our intrepid reviewers new restaurant Pascere undercover last week and has just published a stunning review entitled ‘This is no-messing brilliance’. Search for the Guardian Pascere review August 11th to see what l mean.
Bravo Amanda.
