FRENCH bistro Petit Pois is a recent addition to the Brighton dining scene.

The Ship Street restaurant offers up a selection of affordable French classics such as steak tartare and creme brûlée and it prides itself on fresh ingredients and authentic cooking.

Having only opened in the spring of this year, proprietor Ivana Roy is very proud of what they have achieved so far.

She said: “Guests will discover an elegant environment, passionate and talented chefs and a caring front-of-house team.

“Our dishes are presented on the plate like the work of an artist.”

Ship Street is also home to Hotel du Vin, a long-established Brighton institution that has pretty much defined French cuisine in the city for the past 15 years.

Ivana said: “Without a doubt Hotel du Vin offers a wonderful dining experience.

“The difference with us is that we offer a great value menu of dishes cooked to perfection.

“It means customers have the luxury of being more adventurous in their choices without worrying about their final bill.”

The menu features a wide variety of meat, fish and vegetable dishes including the quintessential Gallic dishes of snails in garlic and parsley butter and frogs legs.

For the less adventurous there is beef sirloin, cod fillet and a host of vegetarian options.

There’s also a small but perfectly formed drinks list featuring wines from small regional vineyards, all of which are available by the glass and bottle.

Alongside the a la carte menu, there is an ever-changing daily specials menu that runs Monday to Friday from lunchtime until 7.30pm with two plates for £9.50 or three plates for £13.50.

It makes for a well-priced business lunch for workers in the surrounding offices.

Ivana said: “Ship Street has a lot of potential and is just asking to be discovered.

“It’s just a stone’s throw from the beach and yet so close to the shops and other attractions of the town centre.”

Ivana and her husband, head chef David Roy, have big plans for the future.

She said: “As important as it is to have great tasting food, we also strive to create good memories in our guest’s minds.

“Our plan is to have a Petit Pois in every town that shares our passion for food and people.”

l Petit Pois in Ship Street, Brighton. Call 01273 911 211