I came by Côte when I collected my ticket for an event at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall. I wanted an early dinner and as Côte is just over the road, I cancelled the booking I had in another restaurant and booked a slot in Côte for 17:00.
I got there a bit early I was warmly greeted by the manager and showed to a lovely window table with a great view of the venue. I ordered the French onion soup and the duck. I wanted the duck without cabbage, so I was offered green beans as an alternative. I ordered some wine by the glass that arrived before the food. The soup was just delightful with two large bread slices covered in cheese. When the duck in orange arrived that was just excellent, so tasty. With the service, value for money and great food, I really could not fault the evening.
I was really looked after by both the manager Cassandra and the server Faye, who both provided first class service.
A great evening atmosphere, a mellow and calm lit restaurant giving a nice romantic or sophisticated ambiance.
Many will have social events here or a fancy post work evening meal and drinks.
We had reserved and were seated promptly at a nice table by the bar.
The wait staff were attentive and noticed when we beckoned them.
Service was fast, there was no long wait or sense of food taking too long to arrive.
Quality:
Christmas cocktail noel blanco, coffee liquor and milk it seemed, it was presented very well, but lacked Christmas taste. It was more of a...glass of milk with garnish. Would recommend vanilla droplets, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and sugar mixed into an espresso shot added to it. I did request an espresso as the coffee liquire was very faint for taste.
Food:
10 oz ribeye
Presented well, was requested medium, slightly more pink more med rare. The steak itself was "cold" despite being recently cooked. It doesn't seem the steaks were left to rest to room temp and were cooked straight out the fridge, giving a colder internal and overall steak. Garlic butter left to melt with the steak tasted great with good marbling , I can't say excellent it's just made 4/5 for the steak as did not feel cooked or prepped to an excellent standard.
Fougasse
Nice soft bread brilliant to tear and share. Very light brushing of garlic butter on the top, could use more, finished with sea salt flakes.
Calamari
Delicate and delicious. No stringy bites, all clean.
Crab Maison
Served on nice sourdough bread, tasted more like tuna with a hint of crab but was still enjoyable.
Our bill had two drinks added to it which were requested to be removed, a mix up on the tables which ordered them we were told. Always check your bills as some restaurants do this intentionally.
Overall it is a very pleasant dining experience, great food, great atmosphere.
Faultless service, delightful setting but the food, albeit a little different, felt a bit overpriced for the mass produced nature of it. Wines were both excellent and good value, whilst the free tap water was a nice touch.
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