Pascere Brighton is a brilliant addition to the city’s foodie scene and one you need to experience for yourself…

Brighton’s food scene has had a real upheaval in recent years, with high quality, independent restaurants popping up all over the city. And one such place you need to head to is Pascere, an independent fine dining destination.

Pascere is situated on Duke Street, right in the heart of the city between the boutiques and quirky offerings of the laines and the high street chains of West street. It offers wines by the glass, small plates and a host of classic-with-a-twist dishes. The décor is chic and sophisticated, marble-topped tables are complemented by walls in a deep teal, while yellow flowers in pots add pop of colour. In the summer the front windows are thrown open and the sunlight drapes over the furnishings adding a warm, relaxed hue while the bustling sights, sounds and smells of the city rush past. It’s a great spot for people watching with an expertly picked glass of wine (their list is extensive) and delicious food.

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Start your meal with a glass of fizz (we were recommended a Spanish cava) and still-warm mini bread rolls slathered in a foam-like chive butter topped with rock salt. The plates here are unfussy, with the focus being on their contents instead. A second snack before the main starters is a butternut squash cracker – a cracker topped with spiralized butternut squash and butternut squash purée. It was light and tasty and a delicious bite to get the taste buds going.

To start I opt for sweet potato veloute – a delicious dish accompanied by moscatel vinegar pearls & fresh & roasted chestnuts. My partner’s pan-fried scallops is delicious, finished with glazed chicken wing, roast Jerusalem artichokes, artichoke purée & drizzled in passionfruit oil. The flavours are intriguing and tantalizing to the taste buds, filling you up yet letting you know this is just pretence of what is to come with the mains.

Mains wise my guinea fowl pan roasted breast and leg does not disappoint. It is accompanied with trompette mushrooms, white pudding and chestnut mushroom puree and all the flavours come to play, with the textures and tastes marrying perfectly on the tongue. The presentation is beautiful – further testament to the talented chefs on site. My partner opts for the Roast Lamb Breast. Again, a delicious choice, particularly when paired with watercress purée, samphire, and pressed potatoes. Again, the flavours match the presentation, prompting it almost too good to eat, but sense prevails and we’re glad as soon as we dig in that we have. The open kitchen is upstairs, meaning if you’re seated up here you get not only a great view of the street below, but also of the happenings in the kitchen. It’s interesting, exciting and shows the no-fuss brilliancy of Pascere – what you see is what you get. They cook each dish perfectly, present it well and know just what flavours to mix to get the right finish. Whether you think you are a pudding person or not, order the Buttermilk sponge with honeycomb and milk ice cream and let it decide for you. Light and fluffy, it is offset by the smooth ice cream, providing a satisfying finish to the meal. Not got a sweet tooth? The selection of British cheeses is also a great choice – ask the team to select a wine pairing for this and you won’t be disappointed. The menu is vast and varied – and you are guaranteed to find something you will love and are likely to discover new tastes along the way. Every tiny detail is thought of and care is at the heart of the restaurant. The staff are friendly, the atmosphere is buzzing and the dishes are cooked in a way that makes you wish you knew how to cook in such a way.

Pascere Brighton is stylish, creative and thoughtful. It’s buzzing enough to head to for after work drinks, sophisticated enough for an evening of wine tasting with the girls, and cosy enough for a date night with your partner. It is a restaurant you will head to for special occasions, or when you just want to relax. Pascere is brilliant, it is stylish and it is a real testament to the Brighton foodie scene. Make it your next dining destination of choice, trust us, you won’t be disappointed.

Pascere Brighton
8 Duke St, Brighton BN1 1AH