Kemp Townhouse

Eating

Sunlight streamed in the bay windows that frame the graceful blue guest lounge as we sat for breakfast. A smiling waitress handed us menus and indicated the table stacked with fresh OJ, mini croissants & pains au chocolat, marmite & marmalade spreads, homemade granola & cranberries. Then she gave us a shot glass filled with a fresh-made mango smoothie, on the house. We sensed this morning culinary start might be a bit special. And that was before the Eggs Florentine.

The cooked breakfasts, from the Smoked Salmon Pancake Roulade to the Eggs Benedict, are superlative at Kemp Townhouse – and although we approve of the Great British Breakfast (which Kemp also does brilliantly), it was nice to have something warm for breakfast that didn’t include sausages. We liked the lovely old silver teapots too.

For lunch, we opted for fish-and-chips: a Brighton tradition, and available everywhere. We had tasty cod at one of the cheap and cheerful caffs on the beach; there is another popular place on the Pier, and word is that Bankers in Hove is the best, if you’re prepared to queue.

For dinner, check the helpful list in your room’s information book: Santiago for tapas, Terre a Terre for vegetarians, Oki-Nami for fashionable Japanese are just some of the local eateries. Claas and Russell are happy to make table bookings. It was a fast five minute walk to The Saint, a bistro with emphasis on slow-food dishes. Rich venison stew, hearty chicken potroast with creamy mash and winter vegetables, a Gascony red – delicious. We waddled home and had the yummy chocolate truffles in our room for dessert.