Food, Days Out and Travel stories from Brighton, London and the Rest of the World

Friday

Foodie Friday - A Guide to Healthy Smoothies and Juices in Brighton

Following on from my popular blog post a few years ago, A Guide to Summer Shakes and Smoothies, I thought it about time I brought you the healthy version. No ice cream this time.

Just as the nationwide trend for healthy eating continues, Brighton has likewise gained more and more places to buy fresh, organic smoothies packed full of the good stuff.

Here's my selection of the best places to buy a healthy smoothie in Brighton.

VBites


Located closest to the seafront, VBites is in a great spot on East Street just around the corner from Brighton's lively Pier. Serving a selection of vegan meats, fish, cheeses, deli pots and sauces, their fruit and vegetable smoothies are a great way to enjoy a cooling drink while consuming some essential nutrients and minerals. Choose from their Detox Zing, the Hulk, Pash 'n Shoot, Big 4, Berry Go Round and Strawberry Split. I chose the Pash 'n Shoot, a combination of passionfruit, mango and carrot. The fruit had come from the frozen section and tasted good although a little too ice-cold for the perfect smoothie.


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Smoothies £3.25

VBites, 14 East Street, Brighton, BN1 1HP


Shakeaway


This chain is huge and for many needs no introduction. Found in the North Laine area, near Lavender Rooms and the Bagel Man, this place is designed to please the kids. So popular there are often queues out the door and it's a common sight to see people about town carrying these distinctive blue and white striped cups. The music pumps out loud, the wall behind the counter is lined with sweets to add to shakes and the options are immense. 180 flavours to be exact. As part of their menu they also offer a healthy section that combines fruit with fat free frozen yoghurt. Again, for me, I found my smoothie too cold and too lacking in flavour to be rushing back for another.


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac



Smoothies - regular £3.15, large £4.15, 'named' regular £4.15, large £5.15

Shakeaway, 8 Bond Street, Brighton, BN1 1RD

Eat Naked


This is a great place, although difficult for me to find, the first time I went looking for it. It's up the arcade opposite Molton Brown and just at the back of Cath Kitson to give you a few well known shop markers. They have recently celebrated their 1st birthday and yet it feels like they have been there longer. Co-owned by Stacie Stewart, a trained chef and her partner Ryan Brown, the ingredients used in the superfood smoothies are a testament to the amount of thought and passion that goes into everything they make. The smoothie options are made up of The Elixir, Energise and Glow. To give an example of the type of ingredients the smoothies contain, The Elixir combines avocado, kale, cold pressed celery, ginger, apple and pear juice and bentonite clay. In fact, all of their food is pretty amazing, free from chemicals and processing, as well as free from gluten, wheat, refined sugars and with the exception of the odd dash of fat free greek yoghurt, dairy free too. If you haven't already, Eat Naked is definitely worth seeking out.


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Smoothies - £4.50

Eat Naked, 16 E Street Arcade, Brighton BN1 1HG

42 Juice


This place is also relatively new and brand new to me, even though it is situated prominently in the square opposite Brighton Town Hall. I love their branding, it's all so instagrammable! Promising 100% raw, cold-pressed and organic, they sell smoothies, juices and juice cleanses. It's the kind of place I'd been looking for for years. I'm still a bit confused about how it took me so long to spot it. When I asked how long they'd been open they said a year and half and yet I only found it about a month ago. *Anyway, move on Sarah.* Again, this place was super busy when I went in and when I went back for a second and a third time. So far I've tried their almond milk, then almond with turmeric, then with strawberry and a rose water. My favourite is still the first one I tried, the almond milk, which tastes lush. Just go for it.


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Smoothies - £5.95

42 Juice Bar, 19 Market Street, Brighton, BN1 1HH

Raw Health Bar


The Raw Health Bar is my latest find and it's all thanks to the Wake Up to Organic event that I first discovered them. Situated in London Road's recently revamped Open Market, the Raw Health Bar is passionate about organic. Everything Dandy and Ray make and sell is organic and they definitely want to shout about it. Feeling a bit under the weather the day I visited them I went for their Echinacea Boost of echinacea, propolis, acai, pomegranate juice, blueberries and banana. Of all the smoothies I've tried so far this one tasted the freshest and best in flavour. The Raw Health Bar also offer the cheapest deal with a small smoothie costing a mere £2.50. Enjoy.


A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Smoothies - £2.50, £3.50 and £5.00

Raw Health Bar, Marshalls Row, Unit 39, The Open Market, Brighton BN1 4JU

A Guide to smoothies in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

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Sunday

Days Out in London - What I learnt at the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

It was my first trip to the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show and I knew that it was going to big, but I wasn't quite prepared for just how big.

What I hadn't realised was that the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show is the largest annual flower show in the world and there is so much more to it than you might expect.

Hampton Court

My first surprise was just how glorious the setting was, even before we had reached the ticket booth the setting dominated the Flower Show in the most spectacular fashion.

Our tickets were waiting for us at the Thames gate and as we walked to the entrance the river flowed along on one side of us and a line of royal red brick chimney stacks followed us on the other.

Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


Further along and we passed the part of the palace built for William and Mary in all its baroque glory. In front of it lay their formal garden and a beautifully wrought iron gate.


Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


The entrance was just beyond this gate and without queuing we entered the Show.

Unfamiliar Flowers


My next discovery was more to be expected, at a flower show. I discovered flowers I'd never heard of before and unfamiliar varieties of flowers that I already loved. In the flower marquee there were the tall-stemmed eremurus in soft yellows and peaches.

Another stall featured only disas, a type of orchid. Their bright orange, pinks and yellows made such an impact.

Disas, Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac

Disas, Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac



I also saw lots of hydrangeas and lavender, in familiar and new varieties. The unusual varieties were so different that they proved a great conversation starter with other visitors. In particular I loved the white Lady Ann lavender and the hydrangea Miss Saori.


Lady Ann lavender, Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


Miss Saori hydrangea, Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


There were also favourites of mine that I couldn't find at the Show, such as the bluebell, magnolia, lilac and lily of the valley, but as these are out of season I shouldn't have expected miracles.

My Personal Top Five Show Gardens


The other main feature of the Flower Show that I had expected to see were the Show Gardens. This year there were 47 to explore and be inspired by.

Comprising of waves of grass, dog sculptures, a twisted hazel, representations of the ages of man and a rose with a surprisingly strong scent, my top five are a fabulous list of Show Gardens.

The list with pictures and my reasons for including each one is in a separate blog post on magazine.co.uk's blog page called The Hub. Please click on the link to check it out and let me know your own favourite gardens from the Show.

Free-Flying Butterflies


My next surprise at the Flower Show was a dome filled with exotic plants and butterflies and a winding path that led us through the dome in a circular route.

Inside were large and small brightly coloured exotic butterflies from South America and Indonesia. One fluttered onto my cardigan and paused a moment while I stood motionless staring at its bright blue wings. It fluttered off and our gaze wandered up and down following butterflies as they flew around a large ficus tree or rested on the hibiscus, lantana and canna plants.

Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


Meanwhile outside the dome salvias, echinops, sedums, asters, phlox, and eryngiums had been planted to attract native bees and butterflies.



Closing Time Giveaways


Finally, it was time to go, everywhere there were signs that the Show was almost over. We could see displays being dismantled and boxes being packed up.

We headed to a marquee where the heat of the late afternoon sun had made the room incredibly hot. Ladies were walking out holding bunches of flowers and I saw someone on a stall filling a black sack with parts of a display.

At the base of the stand a blush pink peony lay abandoned. I wondered if perhaps I could take it home. The lady at the stand of Leeds Castle Florists from Maidstone very kindly selected some flowers for me to take away. I beamed with delight.


Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac


With huge thanks to magazine.co.uk for inviting me write a blog post for their blog page, The Hub and allowing me to do an insta-takeover. It was lots of fun.

Click here to see my photos on magazinecouk instagram and here for my instagram at sarahagnew

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Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac

Days Out in London, RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016, photos by modern bric a brac

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Friday

Foodie Friday - What Makes Isaac_At So Great

It was as if summer had arrived at last. The night we went to dine at Isaac's, summer light came streaming through large glass windows and glimpses of full-leafed trees in the distance made it feel as if summer had come to stay.

We were in Brighton but not as I knew it. Isaac At is not on a main street and so you could miss it if you weren't especially looking for it. This, I think works in Isaac's favour as a relaxed sunny vibe descended on us the moment we arrived.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


I'd found Isaac-At through the Wriggle app, a new way to discover independent places to eat in Brighton at specially discounted prices. This time, we were paying £29 instead of the normal £43 per head (without drinks).

Our reservation was on a long table that was shared with other diners and yet this set up did not feel intrusive. From my chair I looked straight out onto the street, behind me busied Isaac's team of four (including him) while outside the noses of passers by pressed up against the glass to see what on earth was going on.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


I had also found Isaac-At on Twitter so I'd had a chance to check out some of their fancy cooking before we arrived. From the photos I'd seen we were in for a night of attractive, English fine dining. With an emphasis on seasonal ingredients Isaac and his team focus on creating dishes around fresh, local produce.

My Welsh One had come along because he had promised me. Despite adequate notice, by mistake the meal had coincided with the Welsh quarter final against Belgium. It was bad timing. On our walk from Kemptown to the north laine area our silence was golden.

However, we arrived and I loved the look of the place and I was absolutely buzzing. The chefs were busy plating up and their care and attention to detail was impressive. It reminded me of my favourite fine dining team in London, Fix Restaurant in Hackney. They are definitely worth checking out.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Every aspect of the dining experience from the menu, to interior decor and the logo on the window looked appealing.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Our menus were presented in a roll with a separate sheet for the drinks and another that showed food miles for each ingredient, where they had come from and if they had been locally foraged.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Our pre-starter arrived and we were presented with salt cured fillet of beef, pickled kohlrabi, rock samphire and charcoal mayo served on a rye bread croute. It was just a morsel and it popped with flavour.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


The dishes that followed began with strawberries that fizzed, mackerel with compressed and pickled cucumber, 24 hr cooked beef, a gooseberry and elderflower sorbet with a rhubarb crumble and petit fours to finish. It was a symphony of flavour.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Before each dish one of the kitchen team introduced the course, explaining what they had done and why we might like it in simple terms. Isaac told us afterwards that he likes to share this role out as the whole team is part of the creation process. I got the feeling that Isaac was being slightly modest and that also this approach is a great way of creating a strong team around him. Isaac is still in his early twenties so the success of Isaac-At seems incredible. I also got the sense that this is only the beginning.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


At the start of the meal my Welsh One and I had decided to try a glass of the recommended white wine each. At £7 a glass my intention had been to have the one glass only but the Horsmonden Dry, Davenport 2013 so suited this moment of summer and tasted so good with its delicate notes of elderflower that we ended up ordering a bottle to share once the glasses had been drained.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


My Welsh One was now elated, the Welsh had beaten the Belgians and gone through to the semis of the Euros. He is also (in the domestic sense) a great cook, who cares enough about the ingredients he uses to buy organic onions just for the flavour. He tells me he is not a foodie and does not like going out. As we walked home he also told me it was the best meal out he had ever had. I too felt elated.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Isaac-at, 2 Gloucester Street, Brighton BN1 4EW

With thanks to Wriggle for my complimentary deal and Isaac_at for their hospitality. My effusiveness for this experience completely my own.

Isaac_at fine dining in Brighton, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

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Wednesday

Days Out in Brighton - The Brighton Pavilion by Madame Gilflurt

Today I am absolutely delighted to introduce to you writer Catherine Curzon, aka Madame Gilflurt. Catherine's eighteenth century blog tells the stories behind the famous and celebrated from that period, bringing them back to life along with all their terrors, scandal, intrigue and eccentricities. It's brilliant.


Days out in Brighton, Brighton Pavilion, Modern Bric a Brac

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Friday

Foodie Friday - Getting my Wriggle on at Los Amigos

It's always good to give you more than one top tip in my foodie blog posts and this time I have two great food experiences to share. One relates to a Mexican restaurant I've found and the other to a new way of helping people discover great independent places to eat.

I'll start with the new way to find a hand-picked selection of Brighton restaurants, cafes, pop-ups and pubs. Wriggle has created a service that connects diners with places to eat, with the added benefit of discounted prices while participating businesses get to fill empty seats. It's a new, fast-moving approach and I've been loving the choice of places I've seen on the app so far. The deals only cover a select number of places and are limited to deals on the same day, the next and the day after.


The app is free to download, then you choose your city from Brighton, London and Bristol and flick through to discover deals. The discounts include breakfast, lunch and dinner options and are available in cafes, restaurants and pop-up supper clubs. For instance in today's choice for Brighton you can have a burger for £6 (normally £11), 1 kg of mussels, fries and glass of wine for £9.95, (normally £17.20) or two mains of either burrito, enchilada or chimichanga for £15, (normally £23.90) at Los Amigos.

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


Invited to try out the Wriggle app by Wriggle HQ I went for this last deal, almost half price and what looked like a glorious Mexican feast. Once you've chosen your meal on the app or via the website you make your payment through Wriggle and go and enjoy your meal.

I had invited a friend to join me and we arrived at Los Amigos in Hove last Tuesday evening just as the sun was coming out. As soon as we walked through the door we were greeted by the most friendly welcome. I love that. Kamran asked us where we'd like to sit and offered us seats in the window and brought over the drinks menu. Los Amigos has been seeing some changes recently, the management of this Hove institution has changed in the last couple of years from mother to son and the son is keen to bring in change.

Kamran tells us its one of the few places in central Hove to have remained in business for over twenty years. He's passionate to bring his youthful energy to this family-run restaurant and has already made changes to the menu. His enthusiasm was infectious and we loved the selection of beers Kamran brought over for us to check out. Customers can now choose from the familiar Mexican bottled beers by Modelo to beers from the Cucapa micro-brewery or the pilsner-style Pacifico.

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac



Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


We chose Modelo beers and as the golden bubbles sparkled into my glass, Kamran arrived with some agua frescas for us to try. He's considering adding this traditional Mexican drink to the menu and wanted our thoughts. Using a flower typically found in Mexico, Kamran has created his own version of the popular Mexican thirst quencher using hibiscus flowers. The drink had been brewed then chilled and the taste reminded me a little of cranberry juice except less bitter and yes definitely worth trying.

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


He also brought us over a starter to try. A plate of quesadilla, flour tortilla filled with cheeses and chilli with a side of salsa. We devoured it. The tortilla tasted light and fresh and there was just a hint of chilli mixed in with the oozing cheese.

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac


For the mains we ordered a chilli beef chimichanga and a chicken burrito. The servings were substantial, we were in for a feast and in fact neither of us could finish our plates.

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac



Our experience had been hugely positive and for me highlighted the difference between eating at a chain and going to an independent. At Los Amigos the hospitality felt real and personal, rather than scripted and (sometimes) insincere. The food tasted fresh and full of flavour. It was absolutely delicious and the atmosphere encouraged us to linger.

We were so full we couldn't even consider dessert so I'm sorry I can't share any pics of pud. More changes are on the way for this family run Mexican in Hove so if you haven't been in for a while I hope you're tempted to go back.

Los Amigos, 60 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FP

Best Mexican restaurant in Hove, photo by Modern Bric a Brac

With thanks to Wriggle for my complimentary deal and Los Amigos for their hospitality. My views my own.

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