Royal Pavilion Tearoom

The lunch menu of the Pavilion Tea Room has recently undergone a thorough overhaul with, apparently, a highly satisfactory outcome. I am working my way through the "Regency" section of the menu and, on separate visits, have so far tried two items: "hodge-podge", a lamb stew, and; devilled mushrooms on toast. Both items were ample and delicious.  It is also good to know that efforts are made to source ingredients locally wherever possible and name local producers on the menu. The 'Bolney' white wine is extremely drinkable.

For readers not familiar with the venue, it is delightfully situated in the Queen Adelaide rooms on the first floor of the Pavilion overlooking the western gardens, with, in summer, the additional benefit of an outside terrace.

One other very significant advantage of this venue should be mentioned: unlike nearly any other restaurant in central Brighton I can think of, it is quiet, and you can hear yourself and your companion's conversation without effort.

All this comes at a price significantly above the cost of the meal, in that, in order to access the restaurant one needs to gain admission to the Royal Pavilion, standard price £9.60. The solution to this is to become  member of the Royal Pavilion Foundation which for £23 per annum (£38 plus guest) gives you free admission  throughout the year and helps support the conservation and enhancement of Brighton' fragile cultural heritage.