Terre A Terre

Brighton you are continuing to astound me. I still can’t get over just how much dining in this city has changed over the last few years and I can’t wait to explore even more of it. Oddly as part of our journey of discovery in Brighton we ended up in a vegetarian restaurant (odd because it’s me) ordering a huge four tier afternoon tea. Terre à Terre started life in 1993 by Amanda Powley and Philip Taylor. Both classically trained chefs have created a truly unique and wonderful meat-free cooking environment, serving food as ethical and sustainable as possible. Honestly If I’d had my eyes closed throughout the meal I couldn’t have always guessed it was vegetarian, even sometimes I still couldn’t get over the richness, “meatiness” and overall depth. This is afternoon tea with attitude and goes down a treat with a glass of fizz or two (or three).

A vegetarian restaurant that has existed in Brighton for at least twenty years. I remember going maybe 15 years ago when we last visited the city and its amazing pavilion. On Sunday we returned to brighton and, after exploring the lanes, we discovered the restaurant again - much changed - and decided to give it a go for lunch.

There are three dining spaces - one at the front of the restaurant, another at rear alongside the kitchen, and another outside in a small courtyard area.

The walls are in shades of red, the floor and tables are pale pine and the seats are bent ply modern - we disagreed as to whether they were comfortable. Slightly dimmed halogen down lights gave the spaces a warm cosy feel.

At lunch the place was buzzing yet the service was excellent, extremely friendly and attentive.

Two glasses of prosecco later we opted for a shared tasting plate and the "bread of the day" with a couple of accompaniments. The latter was a delicious briochey sort of bread with a hint of orange peel maybe - the three dips were a chive cream cheese, a mildly hot red pepper sauce and the oil/balsamic standard. This was an excellent nibble before the main,

The sharing plate was complex, beautiful, delicious, surprising and a complete antidote to any suggestion that vegetarian food is boring. I was blown away by the variety of flavours and, just as important, by the variety of textures that emerged. Essentially there are about seven different little portions, each doubled up which makes it perfect for two.

The plate included:
Polenta chips
Haloumi in a batter
Fondue with pickled vegetables
Lentil risotto with wasabi
Roasted tomato
Hoisin braised tofu with sesame seeds
A carrot salad with fine noodles.

The seasoning was perfect for each of the tastes - I often find many vegetarian cafes and restaurants back off salt because of "health" and as a consequence present drably dull flavours from otherwise well made dishes.

Anyway we were more than impressed - so before leaving we booked a table for dinner that same evening - apparently we were not the only ones to do that on that evening.

On the Sunday evening the place was full - lots of groups of 4-6, and what looked to be a middle aged demographic.

We shared two main dishes and two sides:

Mains
An Aubergine and tahini layered stack topped with sesame seeds and served with the carrot/noodle salad with a seaweed rice cracker. Delicious.

A salad comprising the hot, smokey pepper sauce as a base on which was layered a potato Rosti, then artichoke, then beetroot, yoghurt and finally rocket. A good combination of fried/fresh, dry/moist, varied texture and colour contrasts- excellent.

Sides
Peas - what seemed to be a mixture of crushed garden peas with mushy marrowfats topped by a pea tendril. Perfect with the rosti.

Puréed spinach with the odd crunch that might have come from toasted lentils,

For dessert we ordered two plates:

I ordered "Kulfi" - a take on a couple of indian street foods mixed together. Essentially something like a base of puffed wheat, pomegranate, yoghurt, petals and pistachios (all with a ? before them). On top of this was a caramel and black sesame cone filled with an ice cream that was unidentified but delicious. The cone I thought was too thick walled but otherwise it was brilliant.

My partner ordered something that she described as "a chocolate ball of deliciousness that had a gooey caramel oozing from it" - I was too full by then to have more than a taste and to agree with her description.

Acoustics were ok but there is an area where dirty plates are returned and this created a din like a bottle recycling truck being emptied occasionally. At one point I got such a fright that I almost lost a forkful of something delicious.

Child friendly yes
Would I take my grandmother? - if she was alive yes.
First or last date - yes

Would I go back - I will not would!
Would I drive across town - most definitely

Suggestion: have the tasting plate and a prosecco - I promise you will not be disappointed. This restaurant is a gem and certainly one of the very best vegetarians that I've had - a superb, clever and delicious menu - well done.

The Kraken Kodachi Churros and Peeking Buns were also excellent. For me the ‘Appetisers and Companion Dishes’ section of the menu was definitely more interesting than the mains. When I return (and I’m keen to go back), I’ll probably skip the main and make myself a ‘Tasting Menu’ of the smaller dishes.

It was an impossible mission to determine what the dish will be!

Brilliant vegan food iinspired by fusion of cultures and true innovation. Food was exquisite from starters, mains and desserts. Their special menu was a powerful vegan roast with a rich and dark gravy which tasted a bit like mushroom and miso, but that is only a guess! The waiter was most helpful in gently directing us to this wonderful special. From the main menu we have a taster platter and each dish was amazing. Definitely going back.

The service was excellent. The staff was friendly and attentive, and they took the time to explain the menu and make recommendations. I was particularly grateful for their help in choosing a wine to pair with my meal. The food was simply outstanding. The atmosphere at Terre à Terre is warm and inviting. Overall, I had a wonderful experience at Terre à Terre. The food, service, and atmosphere were all top-notch. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a delicious and memorable vegetarian dining experience.

Despite a mixup with our booking Terre a Terra was still able to accommodate us, even though they were closed. Staff were attentive and food flavoursome. Will be sure to pay another visit when next in Brighton.

Terre á Terre vegetarian dish restaurant at East street in Brighton , just a short walk from the sea . The ambiance and atmosphere were nice, so well discreet and friendly. It was a Sunday evening and plenty of tables to choose. My first impression was the unpleasant smell of some kind of food or oily odour which was explained by waiter that it was a dish ordered by a customer sitting close to our table ! For me it seems to be a poor quality ventilation system. As it was my first visit, I’ve decided to order “ Terre á Tapas” as we could taste a verity of different vegetarian dishes. It could only be served for minimum of two persons to share. We decided to have Kombuchas drinks with our meals . It was very speedy food service as in a matter of 10-15 minutes we had our drinks and soon after our meal platter arrived, which made us to feel like it was a ready platter prepared in-advanced! (taking into consideration that 11 different types of Tapas were made and placed on that platter .) !! 🤷🏻 The food was well presented and delicious but I wish they could serve them in a larger or more than one plate as it was practically impossible to eat them without mixing some of those ingredients with each other. I could carefully take each and one of Tapas from the platter into my plate but sadly they kept be mixed . it wasn’t a pleasant experience for a person like me with trained palate and sensitive taste buds. For dessert we decided to share a ginger nosey Parkin as we both enjoy ginger and love ice-cream but instead we received something else which happens to be “ brûlée vus “ ! And guess what ? It was exquisite and delicious . We decided not to say anything but enjoy the pudding 😊. On all, I love the place , food and ambiance But I wish they serve their food fresh , use larger plate or more than one plate for so many dishes , as well better ventilation. I’ll be definitely back soon as I like the experimental vegetarian food combination as they were great . Please follow me on Instagram! You can find me at @doctorfoodielondon

Definitely some of the best food in Brighton. I can’t tell you how good this food is, go in there and you won’t be disappointed. It’s just a fabulous vegetarian restaurant. With amazing food.