The Iron Duke is a unique venue boasting a small theatre and established restaurant to complement the bar.
THE RESTAURANT has a new chef, Russell Tisbury running the food franchise and when we visited at 6pm on a Saturday night the bar was already full and bustling.
My dining partner started with a peperonata brushetta with melted goats’ cheese, balsamic reduction, pesto and dressed leaves (£4.95). He reported it was delicious, in fact one of the best starters he had sampled for some time. I chose the Thai infused crab cake, a little pricey at £6.95, but nevertheless very tasty and not too spicy. A soup of the day at £3.95 was the final choice on the starters menu.
For the main course I plumped for the 12 hour slow cooked pork belly (£11.95) with herbs and garlic, roast potatoes, glazed roots, kale, caramelised apple compote and jus. Perfectly cooked, not too dry and beautifully presented. The gravy was to die for and was perfect for serving with pork belly.
My partner chose the Reef and Beef, which included pan seared rib-eye steak topped with garlic king prawns served with hand cut chips and dressed leaves. He asked for it to be served medium rare and they got it spot on. He is still waxing lyrical about the quality of the meat and we will be returning very soon for an encore and to sample the lamb, bean and chilli burritos and the beer battered halloumi.
Both courses were really substantial leaving us no room left for a desert. Deserts on offer were sticky toffee pudding served with butterscotch sauce and vanilla seed ice cream and warm gooey brownie served with chocolate sauce and vanilla seed ice cream.
The diners on the next table sampled both deserts and assured us they were very satisfactory.
Apart from the main meals, burgers are available at £8.95 (toppings £2.50 extra). Filled ciabattas at £7.95 are just £5 from noon-3pm from Monday to Friday. The bar offers a very good selection of wines with the house wine at £13.95.
Iron Duke
7 Waterloo Street, Hove
Telephone: 01273 734806
Food served: Monday–Thursday 12–3pm and 5–9.30pm; Friday and Saturday 12–9.30pm; Sunday: 12pm till gone
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