I had a good day here. I went in for the afformentioned £3 lunch* and got myself a fine tasting…read morespagghetti dish with black olives and parsley. The deal stretches to a few 12" pizzas, which is impressive, and looks equally delicious. My meal was prepared and brought over promptly, and I was offered a generous dousing of black pepper and parmasan which I accepted eagerly. For £3, I was damn impressed by the quality, and I got a strong impression that heading by in the evening and paying full price would turn out even better results. The right balance of oil and garnish made for a memorable meal. Zafferelli is also a great place due to its high quality finish, with menus, chairs and even the bills presented in stylish black leather that compliments the overall style of the establishment. It also exudes italianness, which is something you just don't get with the large chains like Pizza Express and Strada. The manager sang along to the Italian music playing over the speakers, and had a passionate greeting in speedy loud Italian with one of his guests. All in all, a damn good night out who's price, well stocked menu and finishing more than warrant a subsequent return or two. *which admittedly carried a reusable service charge of 10%, but I was more than happy to pay it seeing as I actually felt as though I was getting damn good service

Nice italian restaurant in the centre of Brighton. What I liked most was the lunch offer: 1 plate…read moreof pasta/pizza + soft drink for £4.55. Good quality of the ingredients and kind service (maybe too slow). I recommend it. ITA: Buon ristorante italiano nel centro di brighton. Ottimo rapporto qualità-quantità-prezzo soprattutto per quanto riguarda l'offerta pranzo: £4.55 per un piatto di pasta a scelta o una pizza con acqua (o altri soft drink) inclusa. Ho trovato gradevole il pranzo anche perché l'atmosfera è tranquilla e il locale è ben tenuto. Raccomando questo ristorante non solo per inglesi ma anche per turisti italiani.

What distinguishes this Pizza Express in The Lanes from the new one in Jubilee Square is character…read more Whilst the new one is all straight lines and glittering glass, this looks and feels more like a neighbourhood restaurant. I know every aspect of the place from the choice of tables and chairs to the way the cutlery is laid is probably taken from a corporate rulebook written at head office but it feels more welcoming and authentic. The staff seem more efficient and friendly than at other branches in the city and there's usually vintage jazz playing. The food is always top notch too. I particularly like the new range of super-thin pizzas with goats cheese, yellow peppers and anchovies but have to admit they wouldn't satisfy a big appetite. Better order a big side of dough balls if you're hungry!

It feels a little like cheating, trying to review a Pizza Express: it is, basically, the same as…read moreany other Pizza Express! The food is relatively expensive and the pizzas of great quality, if little finesse. What makes this Pizza Express stand-out, and be deserving of accolades, is everything else. Most Pizza Expresses feel like a fast food joint trying to be a restaurant, or an overly arty restaurant trying to be hip and cool. This one fits nicely into the fabric of the Lanes, and forgoes the typical Pizza Express design choices, sticking with basic colours and nothing too fancy. It is also ALWAYS packed: I've never been turned away, but it is always buzzing, alive, and full of youngsters like myself. It seems to be one of the more popular dinner spots before a night on the town, but is never too loud or too obnoxious, managing to find a perfect balance. The service is also deserving of a special mention: everyone there seems to be young and involved in some artistic endeavour or other. It is rare to get good service and pleasant conversation from the same waiting staff: hats off! In the end, Pizza Express is a perfectly nice place to sit down for a meal, and this is the best one in Brighton to enjoy the same meal you had in London three weeks ago. What most Pizza Expresses lose in character, this one makes up for in spades.

I went here twice during my two week stay in East Grinstead, and it never disappointed me. The food…read moreis great, the service is good, and the interior is beautifully modern and crowded with happy people chatting while sipping red wine. I ordered calamari and the mushroom risotto the first time, and crab cakes (in the most delicious cream sauce ever) with a side of gratinated potatoes the second time. Both meals were super fresh and not too heavy at all. Also try the prawn pizza if you're a pizza person - it was great. I'm definitely coming back to Prezzo the next time I'm in England!

I and 6 friends had an evening meal here after a day walking in the area…read more Those that had the pizza or the pasta enjoyed their meal but I and another were sorely disappointed at the burger. The bun was poor, similar to MacDonalds, the chips were non eventful, they had no dressing for the salad and when I asked for mustard or horseradish for the burger I was told that they don't do them. I should have refused to pay but being a meek UK citizen I duly paid the bill and the service charge but will never visit a Prezzo again. Selling burgers but no serving mustard - hopeless. East Grinstead is a wasteland for decent eateries as we walked all over the old town and found no decent looking pubs with gardens and all the restaurants were much of a muchness - Prezzo seems to be the place to take the kids. Yuk

I've always enjoyed dining here at F&B. It must be due to the fact that I like a good pizza or…read morepasta dish. This particular time though, I fancied something different so I ordered their lamb shank. My Mum being the fantastic cook and quite pedantic at times said she could've cooked me that at home. Facepalm moment** The food was good. This place can be busy at peak times so watch out. If in doubt, I would book a table in advance but luckily, it was a weekday after school so we were able to waltz in and land on a table in no time. To be completely honest, I felt a bit bad not giving them a tip. Their card machines have that option where you can add a tip and I got a bit impatient to leave and went straight to pay for the bill. Take note, I checked the receipt afterwards and there is no service charge! Shocking! I'll remember next time. So sorry!

We should have known how this would turn out when we tried to book at table for ten people at 7pm…read moreon a Saturday and got told we don't take bookings We were told to just turn up and they'd get us a table. Perhaps a drink at the bar whilst waiting? Hmm. Well fortunately when we turned up, they did have a table for us. Right next to a hen party of 25 women. Who had obviously been drinking for some time, and were rather loud. We were told that if we ordered quickly then our orders would be put through before the hen party's order. So we did. And guess what. Our starters arrived and then nothing, while they got their food. An hour after arriving we were served our main course, served on cold plates. And although most of the food was acceptable, all the vegetables were cold. So the waitress was asked if some fresh hot vegetables could be served, and her reaction seemed to be one of Oh, yeah ok, it happens all time. No shock, no surprise, not even an apology. But then all the staff seemed to have an air of indifference and were very off-hand with us. It was 8.40pm when we were asked if we wanted desserts. As we were booked to go ten-pin bowling at 9.00pm we opted to skip this and just pay the bill. The bill arrived and was about £185, which we split between us, and £200 was given to the waiter. As we left it became apparent that he hadnt brought any change back. And then it was pointed out that an optional 10% service charge had already been added to the bill. So the actual cost was just under £170, and the change from the £200 had been kept. One of our party promptly returned and demand our change, and that the service be removed as we were not happy with the service. At first she was given £30 back, but standing her ground, the rest of was reluctantly given. I, and probably most of the group, will not use this particular establishment again. Update: Forgot to say that the optional (they're words) service charge is only added to groups of ten or more, so be warned

Casinlingo is in a little hub of restaurants and cafes a little off the beaten track, still very…read morecentral sitting in between Western Road and the seafront Preston Street has a surprising array of culinary delights. It's a cosy Italian restaurant with a menu that as cheap as chips, they offer mains for around £9 and gorgeous deserts for a fiver. Its has traditional decor and a nice atmosphere, although i'm dinging so close to the seafront I want a seaview which this venue is distinctly lacking.

Italian food and restaurants have become so common in English culture that I actually rarely have…read morethem anymore, such is the familiarity of the dishes on offer. At Casalingo however, I was shocked to find that there is still much room for Italian food. I had a swordfish dish that was certainly an experience; that makes me sound like i'm being sceptical, but in all honestly, that is more because I don't think swordfish is for me. The dish itself was cooked very well, seasoned with a hint of garlic, butter and olive oil. The biggest problem with Casalingo is that the decor is just a little bit too dated to make the evening entirely pleasurable. That said, if you're less shallow then me, look no further.

A reasonably priced Italian restaurant in the heart of the Lanes, serving mainly pasta, pizza and…read moresalads. We went to Piccolo's for a weekend lunch with friends. They had a £6.80 for two courses offer, with a range of starters and a choice of any pasta, salad or pizza for the main course. The exterior is a bit bland - it's easily missed (which is why presumably I've walked past it for 10 years without knowing it was here), and the interior is simply done, too - whitewashed walls, marble tables and a bit of artwork. Overall, the experience was a bit mixed. We ordered different starters, and the consensus was that those choosing a side salad had the best result - they were interesting, fresh and good value. Fiorentina potatoes were a bit dull in contrast. Pasta mains were fine but nothing special: smallish portions (though fine for me for lunch) and average quality. But for the price, in the centre of Brighton, it was good value. A plus was that they brought us tap water happily, although the 'Italian Beer' turned out to be San Miguel - which is Spanish! Two courses plus coffee or beer plus tip came to £10 each. More mixed was the service: an astonishingly surly male waiter contrasted sharply with two charming and very efficient waitresses. The kitchen staff waved us an ostentatious goodbye when we left, which was so over the top (especially as we only clapped eyes on them as we were walking out) I wasn't sure if it was meant sarcastically or genuinely. I doubt I'll rush back - there are other choices in the centre of Brighton higher on my list, but if you seeking a quick cheap lunch, then it would fit the bill.

Piccolo's is a cheap and cheerful Italian restaurant in the South Lanes. Well, I say cheerful, the…read moremanager/owner can sometimes be a bit grumpy, but the waiting staff are always friendly and efficient, though rarely Italian! You can eat in or takeaway, and the restaurant is quite large, spread over two floors. The inexpensive menu is a major draw, and often the restaurant can become quite busy and loud, despite its large size. Entrees include classic Italian pasta dishes, such as spaghetti bolognese, lasagne, tagliatelle gambaretti (prawns) and penne al tonno (which is a personal favourite of mine!). There is also a specials board, which often has seafood options listed. During the week, Piccolos do a set menu, which is a bargain at around £6.50 and entitles you to a starter (garlic bread, tricolour salad or prawn cocktail), followed by pasta or a pizza. The takeaway menu is extremely cheap, with pizzas for as little as £2.50. In the summer, I often pick up some pizzas, buy some beers and head down to the beach: a cheap and effortless summer picnic! Although Piccolo's is not the trendiest restaurant in the South Lanes and does not serve the most innovative food, it does what it does quite well- in short, you get exactly what you pay for: tasty, filling, no-frills food.

really great little place with amazing service, the servers were very attentive and friendly, the…read morefood was really good and authentic, cooked to perfection.

I'm not usually a fan of chains but I think Zizzi is one of the better ones. They choose nice spots…read morein good locations and the food is of a consistently high standard. I usually visit the Brighton one whenever my folks visit and so far, we've never had a bad or dissappointing experience. The fact they have a wood-fired oven which makes divine thin-crusted pizzas and thick, mouth-watering calzones means I usually opt for the goats cheese pizza with caramelized onions and rocket. They also serve a great selection of pasta, risotto, meat and fish dishes however, as well as the usual Italian side-dishes like salad, mozarella and tomato and dough balls. The service is great, the wine-list is reasonable and we've always left feeling full and happy. The close proximity to the beach also means we can wander home along the sea-front. What's not to love?

This is pretty much a standard branch of Pizza Express, serving their iconic pizzas, including the…read moreones with thin and crispy Romana bases and the Leggera option which is lower calorie. The main difference with this branch is that it is located in a lovely old building, with wooden beams and the wooden frame structure clearly evident throughout the building. The core was built in the 15th century, extended to rear and west in the 17th century, altered and extended in the 18th century and renovated in the 20th century. So definitely not your average chain restaurant setting! Despite that, the modern limewash gives it a bright and airy feel, and the structure has been opened up - particularly upstairs - to make it open plan. On our visit, the service was quick and very attentive. It's located on East Street, known locally as "Eat Street" on account of the large number of restaurants there, so there is plenty of competition - none in quite such an interesting building, though.

Generally good food and somewhat speedy service. However some pizzas are somewhat lacklustre and…read moreunderwhelming upon presentation (small amounts of cheese or sauce), they normally taste just fine.