As an Eastbourne resident you rarely think about visiting some of the lovely hotels along the town's seafront, but what could be better than having dinner while looking out to sea on a summer's evening. The Chatsworth Hotel, which is part of the Lions Group, provides no better location to do just that.
The beautifully restored Edwardian hotel is extremely elegant and provides a warm and friendly atmosphere with wonderful sea views.
The hotel is privately owned by Sheik Abid Gulzar, who also has the Albany Hotel, The Claremont and the Mansion which are on Eastbourne seafront too. In addition Mr Gulzar owns farmland in Pevensey and we were lucky enough to dine during the spring and enjoy some of the farm's delicious lamb. The beef and eggs on the menus at the hotel also come from the farm.
There is a set menu of four courses to choose from each night with a few carefully chosen classic dishes for each course to suit all tastes. The menu changes daily and is priced at a very reasonable £22.50.
We opted for the duck pate and crab cakes with breaded king prawns to start. Both dishes were excellently cooked and well seasoned. The crab cakes were delicately spiced and the dish was served with a mild sweet chilli dip.
Our starter was followed by a delicious sweet potato soup and the friendly and helpful waiting staff served the soup with a large selection of bread rolls presented in a basket.
We then chose lamb and the vegetarian option of spinach lasagne, which were both served with a seasonal vegetables.
The Pevensey Level's lamb was tasty, tender and beautifully cooked. The lasagne was also delicious with a rich and cheese flavour. The vegetables served with the meal were very well cooked and the portion size was perfect.
However, we struggled to fit in dessert but couldn't resist the white chocolate panna cotta with berry coullis and pears served in chocolate sauce with a brandy snap and vanilla ice-cream. The desserts were the perfect way to finish-off our lovely meal and afterwards we enjoyed a coffee with chocolates.
Our meal was washed down with a very good Chilean merlot, one of just many reasonably priced wines on the list at The Chatsworth Hotel.
The service throughout our meal was excellent and we over-heard many happy customers commenting on the quality of the food and the dinning experience. The restaurant manager Angelo Pelligrino, who has been working in Eastbourne hotels since the late 70s, served us on the evening.
The Chatsworth is probably one of the most traditional hotels on Eastbourne's seafront and it has a beautiful bar area where you can enjoy a drink before or after your meal. And after you have enjoyed your meal, there is seating on a terrace at the front of the hotel so you can catch the final rays on a summer evening. It is also perfectly placed for a stroll along Eastbourne's much-loved unspoilt seafront.
The Chatsworth Hotel, Grand Parade, Eastbourne 01323 411016. Visit www.lionhotelsltd.com
