Skyfall

Church Road, Hove, 01273 041007

THE lobster and burger restaurant has become something of a trend in London.

And now with their first project Hove-based Barrow And Thomas Restaurants is bringing their own take on the phenomenon to the city by the sea.

Skyfall, in the former Lebanese restaurant Kenzi on Church Road, is adding an ever changing seasonal specials board to the mix, as well as twists on the burger and lobster menu.

The space itself is the result of six months refurbishment work, and combines a stripped back industrial look - complete with exposed brick work, reclaimed wood panelling, stripped-back lighting designs and extensive tiling - with luxurious seating across two long grey banquettes and distinctive individual chairs from Fitz Impressions.

In the corner is a wooden DJ booth, which doubles up as a stage for live music, or possibly stand-up comedy in the future.

And one wall has an enormous installation featuring a range of wine bottles on a giant rack.

Barrow And Thomas managing director Brian Spackman has both managed food franchises and worked as a fine-dining chef, including as a pastry chef in Brighton’s Drake’s Restaurant.

As such the menu is at the heart of the experience.

“It’s all about seasonal local produce in a stylish atmosphere,” he says. “The burger and lobster menu is the main theme of the restaurant – we have different variations on the lobster which are more a twist on the classics.

“We have lobster steamed with lemon and pepper, or grilled with garlic and herb butter, a lobster thermidor and almost a lobster burger where it is taken out of its shell and put in a bun with pickled radish and wasabi. We also do a surf and turf with steak and grilled lobster.

“We use quality produce – no cheap mince in the burgers and free range chicken breast. The buns are made locally by [Hove-based] Home Cakery.”

The restaurants specials board features vegetarian dishes and more seafood caught by the fisheries based only a few miles away, including recently a cod fillet with crispy squid and beetroot reduction with beetroot salt.

“There’s no point getting tuna from Japan when you can get mackerel fillets which were caught yesterday,” says Spackman.

“All chefs want to be creative and use nice fresh produce – it makes their job more exciting.”

There is an extensive wine list, a variety of cocktails, and coffee courtesy of Brighton’s own Roasted.

When it comes to the restaurant experience Spackman says it’s simple.

“It’s having good quality food and good service in a nice atmosphere.”

Adding to the atmosphere is the music programme which runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

“The musicians and singers all have a nice relaxed vibe which fits with the restaurant,” he says.

“We try to mix it up and have different artists. In the summer we can open up the front windows in the restaurant and the music goes out there which creates a lot of interest.”

Skyfall employs a total of 15 staff, both in the kitchens and front of house, looking after 40 covers – although this is set to expand when work is completed on an upstairs function room in time for Christmas bookings.

And they are introducing more elements all the time. In this first month the main menu has been joined by a fixed price menu – offering £7 for one course, £9.50 for two and £12 for three.

Starters include lobster bisque; sun-blushed tomato and olive crostini; and ham hock terrine with pineapple and chilli chutney. Main courses are a 28-day dry-aged Sussex beef burger and fries; wild mushroom risotto with English truffle oil; or mussels of the day.

And desserts include a Boho Gelato ice cream or sorbet; burnt orange posset and lemon shortbread; or a Sussex cheeseboard.

A new brunch menu, served between 11.30am and 3pm, was launched this week, there is a loyalty card scheme and the restaurant also offers roasts on Sundays.

And to attract the crowds on traditionally quiet days diners can pay a £20 annual subscription to get 25 per cent off lobster and seafood dishes and 50 per cent off all other food on Mondays and Tuesdays.

With plans to open a second venue near Brighton’s i360 Barrow And Thomas are clearly a name to keep an eye on.

Open Mon to Sun from 11.30am. Visit www.skyfallhove.com