Hotel du Vin Abandons Brighton Seagulls

I am very sorry to see that the new owners of the Hotel Du Vin in Brighton have removed the seagulls that used to hang from the ceiling of the cocktail bar.

A journalist chum of mine told me that she hates the word "iconic", feeling that it overused. However, in this particular instance, I will risk her ire; by stating categorically that the seagulls were iconic and very much part of the bar contributing to its quirky ambience.

More to the point:

• Seagulls are as much a part of Brighton as fish and chips. 


• Brighton and Hove Albion, the local football team, are nicknamed "The Seagulls".


• By ditching the seagulls, the hotel is in effect ditching its connection to Brighton itself.


• The bar, sans seagulls, now looks and feels like a soulless barn.

Bring back the seagulls!

The Southover - Brighton

The Southover pub (58 Southover St Brighton BN2 9UF - 01273 601419) is currently hosting The Heart and Soul Food Company special pop up soul food kitchen for one month 19th Aug - 21st Sept.

We gave it a go last night, and had a selection of small dishes (you can have them served in larger portions if you want). Here is a very subjective view of the ones we ate (note they do others, and also do burgers):

- Peri peri chicken wings - spicy, tender and splendid
- Onion rings - good sized portion, not greasy, tasty

- Salsa - lacked kick/flavour

- Ribs - flavoursome and tender

- Brisket chilli - oven baked, smokey, spicy and came with some extra jalapeños to scatter upon it

- Corn on the cob - very good, good sized cob and came with butter in a separate dish (without having to ask for it)

- Jalapeño cheese poppers - bland and tasteless

- Smokey macaroni cheese - bloody good, normally I would consign such a "schooldays memory" dish to the waste bin without even trying it

- Rice with black beans - good

The small dishes range from £2.50 to £4 each if memory serves.

Worth a visit in my humble opinion.

Special Hot Sauce

Heston's Scratched Record

Have we heard Heston's new story before? http://t.co/ArkLs9IIlp pic.twitter.com/3YwHNbDoNh

— Londoner's Diary (@StandardDiary) August 24, 2015

Heston has become rather a scratched record, repeating itself time and time again.