Middle Brighton Baths

Introduction: Briliant site overlooking the bay at 251 The Esplanade Brighton
Ambience: Well spaced tables with white linen sevietes and table cloths and aided by a very pleasing view on a fine evening there is a good feeling that this will be a great place for a meal
Service: Pedestrian. There seemed to be something missing though I can not quite determine what. Unobtrusive to the point of almost being absent
Food: The Parmesan baked scallops with garlic and soy ( 5 of them ) on the half shell were modest size and tasted very good ($18) The two small pieces of "open" raviolli resting on a mushroom with another mushroom between was very dull and grossly overpriced at $16. It might have been better to try one of the pasta dishes for an entree but who was to know.
The two whiting fillets in batter with fried potato, $29, an expensive serve of fish and chips really, served with a piece of lemon but no tartare or other sauce did not justify any special praise and the John Dory was just a nice piece of fish with no accompaniment and dead plain. Worst was the oven roasted eye fillet with potato and bacon gratin, spinach and porchini jus. I asked for it warm blue and got it medium rare. At other times I would have sent it back but regretably decided to have it as it was. It was the worst piece of fillet I can remember- as tough as rump but not as tasty and poor value at $32.
The double chocolateand pistachio tart with rosemary icecream $14 was rich and satisfying
Wine: We drank an excellent Cape Mentelle Savignon semillon blanc (2005) $42 which could have been colder Cocktails at $13.50 are reasonable but a very small Hennesy VSOP cognac at $12.50 was a bit hot
Price: Quite expensive where the main attraction is the view
Comments: They have a web page in which the menu bears no resemblance to the things they are serving now. In all a poor culinary experience
Score:12.5 /20