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EATING
OUT
The
love of china
GG also visits an extended Gourmet Palace
 What
was up until recently a small and unremarkable looking Chinese
now has an overwhelming presence in Kemptown. Extending
into a spacious former interiors shop definitely gets it
significantly closer to palatial, with huge windows showcasing
a light, modern feel. Leather loungers accommodate pre-dinner
and casual drinkers, with an extensive range of coffees
and good views across the restaurant, down the New Steine
and out to sea. Sufficiently cordial to complement the hand
painted, paddling cranes mural, and the waterfall - both
unusual features of the décor.
The
menu promises a 'harmony of renowned eye catching presentation,
with the sweet aroma of the cuisine and the majestic taste
of the orient' and is incredibly comprehensive. Rather than
spend ages examining it, we plumped for an Emperor's
Special Mixed Hot Hors D'oeuvres to share for £13.
Crispy would be the most relevant adjective here - seaweed,
spring roll, prawn toast, wanton, all cooked to perfection.
With capitol spare ribs and chicken providing carnivorous
relief it would be fair to say that the platter was a looker.
With this very fortifying opener it was fortunate that we'd
planned to keep the next round light. The sweet and sour
king prawns (£6.50) were fat and plentiful, lightly
battered and dripping with a bright and zesty sauce. The
chicken chow mein (£4.50) was succulent and
smoky and what looked like a moderate dish of egg fried
rice (£3) turned out to be more than enough as
we loaded our plates for the final time.
With
food and service like this coming in at less than £50
for the two of us, it's not hard to see why Gourmet Palace
could give some more established competition cause for concern.
Essential
Information:
Drinks: House wine £2.50 a glass, £9
a bottle; limited but sensible wine list; bottled beers
£2.80 and spirits.
Food: Good quality Chinese food including all the
tried and tested faves. Lunch time specials, 12 - 2.30pm
- two courses: soup followed by main, at £5.99 per
person, or any starter, main course and glass of wine, at
£6.99 per person. Early evening specials - £9.99
per person (minimum two persons) 5.30-7.30pm crispy aromatic
duck or mixed hors d'ouevres, choice of two mains, with
rice or noodles.
Atmosphere: Modern but warm eating area that can generate
some noise on a packed Saturday night. Great aquarium in
the dividing wall, which must have taken some engineering
talent to pull off.
Gourmet
Palace
48 St James Street
Kemptown
Brighton
Tel: 01273 604 060
Opening hours: Open for Lunch from 12-2.30pm, and for dinner
and take away from 5.30 to 11.30 pm, seven days a week.
copyright New Insight 2001
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