YOU’VE all heard of the saying ‘singing for your supper’.

Well thankfully for those of you who aren’t blessed with a wonderful voice, Little Bay provides the vocal contribution free of charge.

Located on Brighton seafront, just off the main West Street strip, the restaurant is a hidden gem.

The candle-lit surroundings really do warm the soul – essential after a walk in the brisk winter breeze – and the theatrical décor with long red curtains and Renaissance-inspired murals add a sense of dramatic anticipation before you’ve even sat down.

If you can, try to book a private booth. Tucked away up some reasonably steep stairs there is private seating where you have a full view of the rest of the restaurant floor – perfect for intimacy or simply to watch events unfold.

And onto the food...

To start, I tucked into a smoked haddock fish cake with chilli and tomato jam which was basic and a little dry but pleasing.

My partner had a chicken parcel, which was so good it disappeared just as quickly as the snappy and cheerful staff had brought it out.

Mains were the best course of the evening – with myself opting for a duck confit and my partner a coq au vin. Both were extremely well cooked with soft delicate meat alongside a generous helping of a carefully-constructed tower of veg, which came with ample sauce.

It was during this that the main event began – live opera performed as you eat.

Some of you may scoff at the idea but it was a completely unique and enjoyable experience which couldn’t help but put a smile on your face.

As the night wore on and people relaxed into their evenings, there were sing-alongs and even a mini-performance by two customers celebrating their birthdays. We stayed at our table well beyond the eating of dessert – a very generous serving of banoffee pie – to enjoy the show.

It was, on the whole, a rip-roaringly riotous evening – and one I’d look to repeat again at some point in the future. And with three courses for a little more than a tenor (pun intended), this really is a place for all occasions.

Lucy Pearce

 

Little Bay, 60-64 King’s Rd, Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1NA
Tel: 01273 731330 or visit www.littlebay.co.uk<&eh>