It is no exaggeration to say that Donatello's is a major Brighton Institution.
Opened back in 1987, it has increased in size and reputation ever since. When we went this last Saturday evening it was heaving with eager clients. Even though we had booked a table we were obliged to wait for about 15 minutes for that table to become available. It was a beautiful warm evening and 'The Lanes' was buzzing.
The restaurant itself is on three floors. I believe it seats about 300 diners and has a staff of over 100. On a busy night (like Saturday) each table probably has three successive lots of diners and continues well into the night. Tables also spill outside onto the small busy square beyond.
We ate and drank liberally, and everything was of an extremely high standard. We started with a simple Tomato bruschetta, and a couple of plates of Calamaris. Our main courses were the reason for going, they offer Mussels in a creamy white wine sauce (Cozze marinara) as a starter, but my son (Kimbo) being a man of impeccable taste ordered it as a main course for each of us, the servings having been trebled in size. It was really delicious. A variety of decadent deserts finished off a superb meal. We drank both pink and red wines.
Rarely have I visited a restaurant where the staff work so hard and efficiently. Everything was perfect.
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When you next visit Brighton (which I presume you will very soon) it is worth remembering the name Donatello's. Mid-week you might possibly get a table without booking, but at the weekend no chance.
For four hungry and appreciative diners the cost was under £150. No complaints there.
Verdict: 10/10. I should mention that whilst mid-meal someone somewhere started singing 'Happy Birthday', and the whole 300 diners joined in.... it was a superb moment.
27 comments:
It's very unlikely that I will ever visit Brighton in England but if I ever do I shall remember Donatello's and go there for lunch. I visit our own suburb of Brighton a couple of times a year and eat fish and chips on the beach.
We also do the same here. Yes, mark Donatello's in your notebook; just in case.
I will remember the name, maybe one day.
I think that I have been there, it was good.
It sounds excellent.
It sounds like a wonderful night out. You don't mind paying when something turns out so well. It doesn't sound like the cheapest place, but good value, and with a ratio of one staff to three diners, it should be.
Who knows!
It's a very popular haunt with visitors.
I couldn't fault it. 100% good.
The waitresses were wonderful. Rushing around and catering for our every demand. Superb.
We had lunch at Donatello's on our first visit to Brighton, and were so impressed that we've eaten there on our three subsequent trips!
The food and service were wonderful each time, and price wise, it's very reasonable! X
It was kind of you to drag that beardie homeless fellow in from the streets.
Good to see that you agree with me. My son goes quite often and has nothing but praise. We had a wonderful meal on Saturday.
He happens to be The Queen's cousin, a High Court Judge, and a prospective Prime Minister. A pillar of schoshietry.
Sounds like the best of everything. Great company, delicious mussels, good wine, tables spilling outside and the best of clientele. You won't be missing France
Sounds great ..... a perfect meal for me ..... not heavy but satisfying and delicious. I haven't been there. Whenever we go to Brighton, we usually eat at Riddle and Finns .... have you been there ? I have to say that you are looking very well Cro . XXXX
Certainly, as far as eating is concerned the UK is now far ahead.
No, I've not eaten there. We have decided on our next outing which will be to a Middle Eastern restaurant which is quite nearby. Of course, we're spoilt for choice here.
Sounds delightful, more places to go, more things to do.
Brighton is filled with good restaurants; it's finding the time to visit them all.
You can add me in mussells any which way as far as I am concerned.
This seems like an outstanding restaurant with excellent food and service.
To be a free man to wander where you wish to go to have what you wish to have and wonderful company as well. Cheers.
They were very good, and we had all the sauce too.
Brighton is a very young/hip city and there are good restaurants everywhere. It's not easy choosing a few favourites.
You make my life sound very pleasant, which of course it is!
Oddly enough I'm having mussels in a white wine sauce for my dinner this evening. They will not, I'm sure, be a patch on those which you consumed.
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