Plateau

Plateau is a local wine bar and restaurant in the heart of Brighton (situated here) that has fast become one of my favourite places to eat.

So when we were faced with the first evening of our Christmas holidays, my sister Sarah, her friend Jade and I didn't hesitate, and made a beeline for the French-themed haven. 

This is my lovely sister by the way!

And this is Jade. She's very nice, too.

We drank, we chatted, we were merry.

And then... the meat platter came. Being a vegetarian, Jade did not partake in this particular carnivorous extravaganza. I almost felt bad for ordering it. Almost. But Jade didn't go without, and ordered one of the delicious vege "bites" on the menu, along with the delicious truffle oil and pecorino cheese frites.

But back to the meat platter...

This bad boy boasts Morcilla and Toulouse sausage, grilled bavette steak, spiced quail, and the most mouth-watering slow roast pork belly, all nestled on beds of celeriac, lentils, cous cous, and salsa verde. It's made for two to share, and there is more than enough to satisfy two of the hungriest meat-eaters. Sarah and I plumped for some pecorino and truffle frites between us, too.

Look at that pork! It's been cooked to perfection any time I've ordered it. The meat falls apart with tenderness when you cut in to it, and the fat that encases it is out of this world! Crispy, full of flavour, and melts in the mouth. I have NEVER enjoyed eating fat before. This fat is just something else.

The service and atmosphere at Plateau means that this place really is an all-round pleaser. The staff are all very friendly, only ever seem more than happy to help, and the place has a lively, but chilled vibe to it. One thing that might not be ideal if you're looking to catch up with a long-lost friend is the fact that it is pretty noisy, and very dim-lit. Which made taking photos a little challenging, but I'll forgive them for their fairylights. 

I would recommend booking in advance if you're looking to dine in the evening - it's always crammed, and it's always easy to understand why.

I'm sorry to say that Sarah wasn't quite so bowled over by our meat platter (maybe we're not related, after all...) For all the veges (and my sister) out there though, Plateau also offers vegetarian and fish platters to share, which also look pretty amazing. Next time I will definitely be trying one of these. Unless I forget... and order the meat platter again...

Christmas Dinner at Tora's

So the first food post starts at my friend Tora's house.

This is Tora. Hi, Tora! 

Tora and her housemate Tom very kindly hosted the first Christmas dinner of the season. "Dinner" is probably too modest a word; we started eating at 1pm and carried on right through to 1am in the morning.

It was the most incredible feast... and it's probably safe to say I will never be able to look at any other roast in the same way again. We started with raspberry sorbet, Chambord and Prosecco cocktails and pigs (fresh, butcher's pigs) wrapped in blankets, before moving on to a modest two starters - homemade pate, and brie and tomato relish pastries. 

Tom's homemade pate.

Tora's meat stuffing. (I'm hoping for the recipe).

Pigs wrapped snugly in their cosy, cosy blankets. Look at them, all nestled in.

The main event consisted of (are you ready?): the most sumptuous, greedy goose you could ever imagine...

...a big old ham...

... brussels sprouts cooked with pancetta, chestnuts, and cream...

... meat stuffing, vegetarian stuffing with pistachios, braised red cabbage, more pigs in blankets, and the crispiest, fluffiest goose-fat cooked potatoes I have ever, ever eaten. All drowned in lashings of proper, old-fashioned, meat-juice gravy, naturally.

Everyone was very happy. It looks like Tom may have spontaneously burst in to song at the dinner table!

Oh, this is me by the way.

Dessert came next - three types: banoffee pie (which I'm proud to say I made myself), a Christmas pudding made by Nigora, and an Eggnog cheesecake made by Tora.

After a short break, a couple of liquor coffees, and a few glasses of wine, we moved on to the cheese board.

Before finishing with some of Tora's homemade truffles. Incredible. Oh, by the way, you can follow Tora and her cooking ventures amongst other things on her blog if you fancy, by clicking here.

Anyway, thanks again Tora and Tom! It was a day and evening very well spent. Book me in for next year, please :o)

Welcome!

Well hello there! 

I'm new to the blogging world. I thought I'd give it a go as I need somewhere to store all of the photos I've been taking recently. It's a bit of a scary idea, but... welcome to my life!

My first few posts will be heavily food-focused. The festive season is still upon us, after all, and I've eaten out at far too many amazing places this Christmas to miss any of them out. 

After that, who knows what 2014 is going to bring!

And so is born my little blog...

Well hello there! I'm Laura, nice to meet you. I'm new to the blogging world. I thought I'd give it a go, as I need somewhere to store all the photos I've been taking recently. It's a bit of a scary idea, but... welcome to my life!

I live in the buzzing town of Brighton, where there is always something to do (or eat, or drink...) I recently invested in a lovely little camera, and have rediscovered my love of documenting anything and everything through the world of photography. These pages will consequently be photo-heavy, full of food, adventures, and my life.

And so is born my little blog...

All rights reserved © 2013 LauraBrighton. All pictures are taken by myself, unless otherwise stated. If you use them, please credit them to me, link them back to this blog, and let me know. Thanks! :o)