A trio of places around Brighton

 We’re heading for Chichester with M&G, but the traffic forecast is bad, so we head off to Petworth instead. We fetch up at the Angel Inn – nothing much to look at from the outside, but a charming maze of rooms and a lovely garden out the back where we decided to sit in the sunshine. It’s very pleasant in the sunshine, and the mock wasp nests do a fair job of keeping the blighters away. Rather firm steel chairs are much improved when we spot the box of cushions we can use.

G has a pint of Hophead, M a soft drink and B and share the house Sauvignon Blanc. We’re only after a light lunch, so B has the shrimp skewer (good), G has fish and chips (huge, with crisp batter, M a chicken and bacon sandwich, while I have starter size paella and a portion of chips. The chips are excellent, and the paella interesting with tasty chorizo.  £62 all in. Definitely one to visit if you’re in the area.

Back in Hove, we go to the Foragers in the evening. It’s an ordinary looking place in a suburban area, and we’ve been warned there’s a DJ playing there this evening. We’re seated in the back about as far away as we can get, and in practice it’s not an issue.  There’s a special offer on the St Veran at £26, so we go for that.

B has smoked salmon to start (very good) while I have chicken livers, which are rich and warming, M&G have a fish mousse and corned beef hash. For mains B has mussels, in a light wine sauce with barely any cream, the way she likes it. My pink roasted duck does what it says on the tin.  The others have roasted chicken and a very nice piece of hake.

We finish off sharing the cheese plate and G and I have a couple of glasses of Malbec. With the 3 bottles of wine that comes to £190, excluding service. A very fine meal for a backwater place.

The following day we brave the wind to walk along the seafront and then turn up to Hove Place in First Avenue. It is nice and sunny though so we take opportunity to sit in the really nice garden – lucky to get a table really. G has a “Long Blonde” (cue predictable jokes), while the rest of us share the Sugar Loaf, NZ Sauvignon Blanc at £22.

We’re still full from yesterday, so we’re only going for snacks – in principle. B has the macaroni cheese, which comes piping hot and nicely browned. B’s crab cakes are unusual in that although they do have a lot of potato in them, it comes in big identifiable chunks which she can easily separate out and leave. I have the pastrami sandwich, which is very chunky and comes with several gherkins. M insists that we share a pork and black pudding scotch egg. This is cricket ball size and when cut open reveals a lovely bright yellow egg which oozes out over the meat covering – excellent. M herself has a platter of lomo, air-dried lamb, cheese and pickles.

With a second bottle and a second pint, the bill comes to £132, maybe not cheap, but a splendid experience. One worth seeking out.