The Set of Scales
Regency Square, Hove, book online

Things move quickly, we get bored quite easily so we are always trying something new” says chef-owner of Dan Kenny a little over a month since The Set of Scales first opened overlooking the West Pier.

Sticking with that mantra – the former head chef of famed foodie pub The Gingerman and business partner, former head chef of The Ginger Pig, Semone Bonner, have already struck out with a new venture serving up “dirty diner seafood” to hungry patrons.

The Set of Scales cafe has opened to be run alongside the now established rustic restaurant and will be serving up a platter of fresh, unique and locally-sourced fast-food fish.

“You will never find tuna on the menu” Bonner says, “For example with the cod we are using the cod cheeks. The head is normally discarded and the cheeks are almost a forgotten cut which are really tender and juicy as well – it is overlooked. We are doing them Kentucky fried in one of the buns.”

“There has been a big thing about burgers the last couple years” Kenny says, “but fish has kind of been left alone and obviously with the position we are in you can see where most of the fish is caught and it made perfect sense.”

All the fish plated up at The Set of Scales was caught by local fishermen along the Sussex coast from Rye to Worthing.

Kenny added this year there has been a “shift” towards a more seafood heavy diet with seafood-heavy venues such as The Urchin and The Salt Room opening this year in Brighton and Hove saying “it just makes sense, you have all that great produce on your doorstep”.

Alongside the new cafe menu is also a cocktail menu meticulously designed to complement the servings of seafood. The co-chef-owners previously ran a series of three successful pop-up venues last summer before moving into their new Regency Square digs at the end of February.

Bonner recalled how it has been a “crazy year” for the culinary duo but added they both “could not be happier” with the result. But the pair are not resting on their laurels as already they are looking ahead to more exciting plans for summer.

“There is going to be pop-ups coming into the restaurant on the days we are closed,” Kenny says. “Obviously we started up in pop-ups so we know the struggles of getting those going so it would nice to help out new ventures to have a good destination to showcase their talent.”

Another concept the The Set of Scales will be introducing is more of a “sensory dining” experience as they tip it as the next big food trend.

“If you eat while covering your nose it does not taste as good or if you can hear the sounds of crisps in your own ears as you are eating them they taste crunchier,” Bonner says. “It is about how your senses effect what are you eating – it is something we are looking at doing. The music really effects how you are eating and the mood.”

But also Kenny said people are also cutting back the pretention when it comes to cooking with more “focus on full flavoured great food rather than dressing it up too much.

“A little bit of a back to basics process, it is moving forward by going back to the origins.”

Summing up the ethos of The Set of Scales going forward, Kenny said: “It is interesting but it is simply done full flavoured food. It does not mean you have to cut out the creativyt. You don’t want to trick your customer. They aren’t stupid.”

 

Menu

Burgers
Mullet: Grey mullet, cockle popcorn
Cucumber, burnt Lettuce,Smoked apple and dill slaw
Trout: Soy glazed trout, fennel kim chi
Grapefruit marmaladeTempura chilli, pickled scallions,Road Garlic Mayo
Cod: Kentucky fried cod cheek, Crispy ham hock, avocado butter, Jalapeno mayo, Coca Cola onions
Mac ‘n’ cheese burger: Crispy mac ‘n’ cheese, Coca Cola onions, roast garlic mayo, burnt lettuce
Sides
‘Nacho fries’ w/guacamole, sour cream, jalapenos, cheese
Bacon croquettes with smoked vinegar mayo
Fries with smoke salt
Puddings
Choc fruit ‘n’ nut, grape sorbet
Peanut butter biscuit, bourbon ice cream, jam

 

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, 12.30pm to 3pm and 6pm to 9.30pm. Visit <&bh"http://www.thesetrestaurant.com">www.thesetrestaurant.com<&eh>