TOP chef Tom Griffiths is to return to Brighton and Hove with a new restaurant.

The former head chef of New Club, in King’s Road, and Flank, which was based in The Royal Sovereign in Preston Street and then The Cow in Dyke Road will open Pascere with restaurateur Amanda Menahem.

Griffiths was regarded as one of the city’s top chefs having received a five star review from The Gourmand in 2015.

This paper also named him as one of the ones to watch in 2016.

However, he ended his residency at The Cow last year after announcing he was looking to open his own restaurant.

Last week he announced he was returning with the 30-cover restaurant which will be in The Lanes. The exact location and opening date have not been revealed.

Griffiths said he would stay true to his nose-to-tail cooking ethos, adding that the quality of the produce would be the most important factor at Pascere.

He said the space will be “cosy, warm and elegant” and “more polished and less casual” than many other restaurants in the city.

He added: “I’m a big advocate of casual dining but a degree of refinement can be good too.”

Johnny Stanford, who was senior sous chef at The Pass at the three AA rosette South Lodge Hotel near Horsham, will also be joining the restaurant team.

Lunches at Pascere will be affordable with mains no more than £15. In the evenings there will be a tasting menu at £55.

Griffiths said: “We’re going to be cooking on open fire using which has been custom built for the restaurant.We will be doing a tasting menu and then an a la carte and on Sundays there will be a special brunch menu when you can just kick back and relax and stay for as long as you like. Day to day you can just come in, have a glass of wine and enjoy quality food, with quality produce.

“Flank fans won’t be disappointed, we’re not straying too far from what we were doing. It is really exciting.”

Pascere is one of several high-profile openings this year with Michelin-starred chef Matt Gillan’s Pike and Pine opening in St James’s Street.

Masterchef The Professionals winner Steven Edwards will open his restaurant etch in Church Road.

As well as the 30 covers inside there will be an additional 20 seats during the summer on the outside terrace.

The restaurant is set to open in May.