insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 11 - January 2016 | Page 80

GETAWAYS HOTEL DU VIN cont. For our main course my guest chose the cote de boeuf, the tender steak is served on the bone with a choice of sauces. Opting for the garlic butter he was interested to see that this was served warm, fragrant and herb infused in a separate copper dish – and with some deliciously crisp French fries. I opted for the plat du jour which, being Sunday, was a traditional roast of the day; my tender pink slices of beef came with a divine red wine jus (which was happily topped up), crisp and crunchy roast potatoes (which certainly ticked my roastie high-standards box), Yorkshire pudding and seasonal vegetables. Had we opted for an earlier dinner this would have been accompanied by the formidable Market Table which offers a heady smorgasboard of charcuterie, pâtés, rillettes, seafood, vegetables and salads with fresh breads and dressings. Starting to feel rather full but keen to continue, we of course decided to indulge in dessert. Foregoing the tempting tarte tatine, we opted instead for the profiterole and the traditional creme brûlée. Presented with the largest profiterole we’d encountered served with a mix of chocolate, hazelnut and vanilla ice cream and a vat of molten but not too sweet chocolate sauce, my guest was feeling rather pleased with himself until I cracked open the sugar crust to reveal the sweet smooth vanilla brûlée which we both agreed was the pudding winner on this occasion. After a peaceful and comfortable night’s sleep we once again headed to the Bistro to devour our more than ample breakfasts – one Hotel Du Vin breakfast and a Severn and Wye smoked haddock served with mustard butter, hash brown and poached eggs as well as some freshly pressed juices, sourdough toast and delicious homemade granola – somehow resisting the urge to raid the pastry selection… Heading out to a rather blustery seafront we bid a fond farewell to this welcoming, classy hotel with its exemplary service and standards. There really is “no place like Du Vin…” That’s going to work to take me back there, right? Hotel Du Vin Brighton 2 Ship Street Brighton BN1 1AD [email protected] 01273855221 www.hotelduvin.com /hdv.brand @HotelduVinBrand 82