TWO city restaurants have been shortlisted for a prestigious food award.

Riddle and Finns, Meeting House Lane, Brighton, and The Little Fish Market, Upper Market Street Hove, have both been nominated for the 2018 Seafood Restaurant of the Year.

Both venues, which specialise in fish and sea fare, have been shortlisted as semi-finalists for the competition to crown the country’s best seafood restaurant.

The contest does not just judge the restaurants on their ability to cook and prepare outstanding fish dishes but is also based on which establishment can demonstrate their commitment to responsible sourcing and customer service.

Lucas Gil, manager of Riddle and Finns, said: “We are very passionate about what we do, the service as well as the food. Combining everything together is very important to us.

“When you come to a restaurant the food is only 50 per cent of the experience. You can have great food but a rubbish experience.

“If someone comes in who hasn’t had loads of seafood before, we are here to help.”

The award is presented by Seafish - a national seafood authority - and The Caterer - a weekly business magazine.

Over the coming weeks, Ridde and Finns and The Little Fish Market, as well as the ten other restaurants on the shortlist, will be visited by a Seafish ‘mystery diner’ who will rate the performance of the restaurants, focusing on customer service, quality of menu and flavour of dishes.

The scores from this judging stage will contribute to determining the final five restaurants in the competition.

Mr Gil said: “We’d be honoured to win Seafood Restaurant of the Year 2018.

“It would be a reward for every single member of staff to win the award, so we know that what we are doing is great and is appreciated by everyone that comes in.”

Brighton has a good recent history in the Seafood Restaurant of the Year competition, with seafront restaurant The Salt Room taking the crown in 2017.

Speaking of their win last year The Salt Room’s owner Raz Helalat said: “Winning the Seafood Restaurant of the Year in 2017 was an amazing experience, showcasing that we really are the best seafood restaurant in the country.

“Winning was truly a group effort which topped off a fantastic year for The Salt Room.”

This year’s judging panel consists of some of the finest chefs and foodies in the country, including Dave Mothersill, Head Chef of The Salt Room; Calum Richardson, owner of The Bay Fish and Chips in Aberdeenshire; Giovanna Grossi, AA advisor and consultant; José Souto, chef-lecturer at Westminster College, London; hospitality industry consultant, Amanda Afiya, and Paul Hurren, managing director, Lusso Catering.

The eventual winners of the competition will be taken on an all-expense paid study trip to Brixham in Devon, to further hone their knowledge of catching and processing seafood, as well as introducing them to key industry players in the south west region.

Andy Gray, Trade Marketing Manager for Seafish, said: “The Seafood Restaurant of the Year Competition provides a fantastic opportunity to showcase the wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafés that are excelling in providing customers with some of the world’s freshest and tastiest seafood as part of a top quality dining experiences.”

Finalists will be announced in September with the winner awarded in October.

The Argus is keen to feature Brighton’s best restaurants in its Taste pages.