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EATING
OUT
Rich
pickings
Jerry Lebens mooches along to Richard's
 Richard's
has been there forever - at least 20 years. And any venue
that's survived so long in this town must be doing something
right. Richard's was certainly one of the first to make
a good fist of the continental ambience thing, and they
do it well, because I don't feel unwelcome as soon as I've
paid - as is the usual excuse for a 'continental café'
in the UK.
We arrived
on a slow, warm, Monday evening and took up a central observation
post reserved for smokers. Non-smokers have a nice area
reserved just for them, right out of harm's way.
A couple
of glasses of dry white to sniff for openers (£1.75)
and we started to soak up the euro-style ambience, as we
made our choices. Our friendly and efficient waiter tickled
us gently away from fish, 'as it was monday' (double Brownie
points) and so we went for a silky Celery and Stilton
Soup with Croutons (£3.50) and Mushrooms Stuffed
with Boursin Cheese (£3.75) which came with a
ramekin brimming with a dragon fuel garlic mayonnaise. Excellent.
Especially once the red wine arrived, a smooth Italian job,
Montepulciano (£11.95)
The
daily specials included a Grilled Duck Magret served
on a bed of wild mushrooms with a Port sauce (£10.95)
which was rare and the sauce ever so rich - good, but not
for the faint-hearted. From the menu my personal trainer
opted for a Lamb Steak with Brie served with a Red
currant and Rosemary sauce (£10.25). A similar,
devastatingly rich, combination. Lovely veggies: Fries,
New Potatoes, Broccoli and Fennel braised in a Tomato Sauce,
all included.
Later,
when we'd both recovered sufficiently enough to be able
to chin the edge of the table, desserts. I opted for a plain
Vanilla Ice (£3.25) which just slipped down.
P.T. went for the Chocolate Cheesecake topped with Chocolate
Fudge Sauce (£3.75) Really, I don't know, some
people just don't know their own limits.
Ok,
so we took a taxi home again, it was raining guv - honest.
Be it
a real knife and fork dinner, or a quick bite, Richard's
is an excellent option with a range of prices to suit. Sit
back and watch Le Tout Hove rush by...
Essential
Information:
Service: Efficient and friendly.
Atmosphere: Comme chez vous cheri.
Food: An extensive range from Burgers to Bistro.
Drinks: Draught Beers from £2.90/pt. Bottles
£2.50. Cocktails iro £4.00 - £5.00. Large
Cafe Latte £1.95. Service Charge: 10%
Jazz Evenings: info at the bar.
Richard's
cafe Bar Brasserie
102 - 106 Western Road, Hove
Tel: 01273 720058
copyright New Insight 2002
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