Qype: The Old Bank Steak & Ribs Restaurant in Brighton

Brighton – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – Steak Houses – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – Family restaurants

Inside The Old Bank

After wanting to visit The Old Bank for a while, I was delighted to be invited to another Brighton Qype event to sample the wine list and menu. Being a BIG fan of a good steak (and good wine, of course) I’ve been to a lot of steak houses – mainly chain-style ones which try hard to be faux-American and never quite beat a steak from a good butcher which I’ve cooked myself. This place is (thankfully) something completely different and in a class of it’s own.

I was the first one to arrive at the event (I have an awful habit of turning up to things stupidly early) and was greeted by Helen, the owner, and Jonathan, the general manager. It was lovely to chat to them a bit about the place first, which despite only being open for a couple of months already has the fantastic homely atmosphere of a well-established restaurant.

So, onto the food and wine. We started with a Prosecco which was wonderfully light, easy to drink and an absolute bargain at £19.75 for a great bottle of bubbles. The next wine we had was a Muscat – a gorgeous, sweet dessert wine priced at £16.50 for 50cl – accompanied by a chicken liver pate (on the menu at £4.50) which complemented it perfectly.

Next came a Chardonnay blend accompanied by warm goats cheese (£3.95 on the menu) – even though I’m not normally a lover of Chardonnay, this wine was actually really nice and very decently priced at £13.95.

Then it was onto the reds and the meat dishes. The next wine we sampled was a Riesling supplied by local wine merchant Henry Butler – priced at £24.95, this was at the top end of the wine list and it was easy to see why. It went fantastically with the chicken wings (from £3.95 a portion) which come in either ‘hot’ or ‘not’. Because I’m a bit of a wuss when it comes to spice, I went for ‘not’.

I’ve heard great things about The Old Bank’s ribs and I wasn’t disappointed – they are blimmin’ fantastic, especially when accompanied by another of Butler’s fantastic wines – a beautiful Malbec priced at £22.50.

The minute steak and chips, £6.95

But they saved the best until last – the steak. Jonathon bought out a medium-rare 28oz rib eye steak on a platter (which is ALL yours for £29.95) and I’m not ashamed to say I could probably have eaten the entire thing. With the steak we had a gorgeous rich, full-bodied Shiraz priced at £20.25. Perfect.

After such enticing tasters of the menu I had to order something – I went for the minute steak which is served with chips, jacket or a salad for £6.95. Keen to sample more wine, a few of us sampled their house Malbec which (although not as good as the one from Butler’s Wine Cellar) is fantastic value for £11.95.

All in all I thoroughly enjoyed the evening – great food, great wine and a great atmosphere. I’m very much looking forward to going back there and tackling one of those 28oz steaks. You never know, I might even share it. Yeah, right.

Check out my review of The Old Bank Steak & Ribs Restaurant – I am Alice_Reeves – on Qype

Qype: JB’s American Diner in Brighton

Brighton – Eating & Drinking – Restaurants – American

Inside JB'S American Diner

Until recently, I’d always walked straight past this place at the end of Black Lion Street. I’m sure you’ve all done the same as, let’s face it, it doesn’t look like the most inviting place in the world. So when a friend invited us out for a get-together here, I wasn’t overly enamoured with the idea. I thought it’d be a horrendous, shabby place – and overpriced to boot given it’s location.

I’m happy to admit I was totally wrong.

The inside of this place couldn’t look more different from the impression it gives on the outside. 50s-style diner tables, red faux-leather upholstered booths, an American pool table (only 50p a game), rock ‘n’ roll music playing, images of hollywood stars plastering the walls… I felt like I’d just stepped onto the set of Grease.

The food isn’t half bad either – a massive plate of steak and chips cost about £12 and the starters are all under a fiver. They also serve the most immense-looking milkshakes (I believe one is Bailey’s flavoured?)

Scrummy Steak 'n' Chips

All in all, this place made for an unexpectedly good evening – the only thing they lose points for is the slowness of their service. Far more authentic an ‘American Diner’ and much better value for money than any soulless branch TGI Friday, I would definitely recommend checking this place out if you’re down in Brighton and want to grab a bite to eat by the seaside.

Check out my review of JB’s American Diner – I am Alice_Reeves – on Qype