THE LION AND LOBSTER, BRIGHTON

It's been a while hasn't it?... 2013 I'm expecting big things from you food-wise. Let's continue on our little food journey and it begins here at one of my ALL time favorite pubs. The Lion and Lobster. Whenever I have friends down from London this is the place I take them, a tardis of a pub.. little rooms leading off even more litte rooms, a bonus if you wanna hide and drink (and eat). There is a beautiful dining room on the top floor which has a hint of a 'luxury Victorian dining room' touch about it.

Most Brightonian's can be found here on a Sunday sampling the winner roast dinners (there will be a separate post dedicated to this) but I had the pub menu today. Now it's worth mentioning this pub gets busy, crazy busy, so if you want to make a night of it you'll need to book a table, but hey that's a sign of a good pub isn't it? Anyone who knows me well will tell you how much I love a pub fish and chips and this one ticked all the boxes fresh fish, beautifully cooked chips and a nice dollop of mushy peas. They have an extensive menu, from stone-baked pizza, lovely home-made soups with fresh bread, and all the English classics. Winner. Every. Time.

THE HAMPTON ARMS, BRIGHTON

This was one of the BEST pub roasts I have ever had. It puts London pubs to shame. I bow down to you oh ye wonderful rib of beef. Now I'm trying to cut down on my intake of red meat for 2012... However when this came floating past me in the pub that went out of the window. The beef I can honestly say was flawless and I asked for it rare and rare is what I got. It came served with roasted onions, a carrot purée and roast sweet potatoes, creamy leeks, along with normal roasties, sweet beetroot AND stewed red wine cabbage! Incredible. Makes moving back to Brighton worthwhile let me tell you. OOOoooo I finished with bread and butter pudding with custard and a raspberry jus type sauce. Gotta love a good pudding after a roast. Ahem I walked home!

HEMINGWAY, VICTORIA PARK, LONDON

This old boozer transformed into a swanky 'gentleman's club' style gastro pub, opened it's doors last year. I love a good roast and today was one of those days where it was a necessity after a drinking session last night. As good roasts go this was average, the beef was amazing, super rare and so tender but it was the potatoes and vegetables that didn't sing, alittle seasoning wouldn't have gone a miss. Pah, I'm willing to go back and try again as other dishes I've had there have been top notch.