For a restaurant a little different and that little bit special, head to SIX Brighton

Whilst Brighton is full of quirky eateries and food stalls, sometimes you want somewhere that little bit special. And that extra bit of special comes in the form of SIX Brighton. Situated in Western Road, just near enough to the main buzz of the town to be convenient, yet not right in the bustling throes of the city, SIX is ideal for dinner with friends, drinks after work or to impress on a date night.

Compromised of two main areas – the intimate and ambient Dining Room and the relaxed Brasserie style dining area and bar, it more than caters for all occasions. The juice bar is partnered with 42juice meaning they can offer a whole plethora of mouth-watering juices and smoothies as well as a wide range of cocktails – perfect for relaxing with on the outside tables and chairs and watching the sun set over the city.

The decor is contemporary and chic, plush and relaxing, and as you step into the main dining area it’s easy to be swept away by the alluring atmosphere of it all. Greenery dripping with fairy lights adorns the ceiling and the lighting is seductive, grand and undeniably welcoming.

We were shown our seats by a friendly member of staff and left to pore over the menu. In keeping with Brighton’s vegetarianism love, there is a vast offering of vegetarian dishes, but, also taking advantage of the local seaside, fish plays a large part too. I opted for the soup of the day- pea and ham and it was not only piping hot, but full of flavour- something I find some soups can lack. The bread was fresh and delicious and offset the soup perfectly. My partner opted for the Calamari – a personal favourite. Deep-friend with organic zucchini courgette and garlic, it erupted in zingy flavourings, the texture perfect and the portion size more than reasonable. It was an instant winner.

Mains are where SIX Brighton really comes to play – far from any dull and monotonous dishes, is a selection of tantalising and flavoursome treats offering a little of something for everyone. SIX are commited to using solely locally sourced, organic seasonal ingredients with ingredient meticulously sourced and supplied directly by local producers. Seafood is from ethical and sustainable suppliers and all poultry and beef are from family run small-holdings in Lancashire and Surrey and lamb from a farm in the Welsh mountains. Fruit and veg is all delivered fresh to the kitchen each morning from Kent where they are organically grown. These are all features which you can taste in the food – that extra spark of flavour texture – and it really makes a difference. I opted for the Confit crispy duck leg which was accompanied by a rich and delicious fig and port wine sauce, creamy dauphinoise potato and thyme.

The duck was light and succulent, falling off the bone and melting on the mouth and the potatoes creamy, rich and flavoursome. I would recommend in an instant. My partner chose the grilled 28-day cured rib-eye steak – another firm favourite. A tender set of meat cooked in garlic, mustard and herbs beurre maison, this was a dish to savour. Soft and supple, rich and tangy and offset with just enough herbs to enhance the natural flavour of the steak but without being too overbearing it was the perfect choice. Whilst the side of chips were nice, we feel instead of thin fries, they should be rustic, thick cuts – hearty and wholesome – and were the one thing we felt let it down slightly. A table beside us had burgers – and there was a pinch of food envy for they look delicious – they’re certainly on the list for us to try on our return.

Dessert wise, there is a range again – from apple tart to a myriad of sorbet flavours – and whilst we were unfortunately too full to eat one, the ones brought out to surrounding tables looked delicious. Next time I’ll be sure to save room!

If you’re off on a date or a special occasion, SIX Brighton is a sure winner. From the great service to the delicious food and wonderful surroundings, the first thing you’ll ask is ‘when can I come back.’