East Sussex - nice restaurant needed

[FastLaneGirl]

I'm taking my friend out this Fri for her birthday, and a spin in my new car.

I live in Brighton & she in Chailey, & I'll be picking her up then driving off & ending up somewhere nice to eat.

Newick Park Hotel is fully booked, so basically I'm looking for somewhere upmarket (with a good carpark!) to take her.

Anywhere within about 40min-1hr drive in any direction is fine, some nice driving roads would of course be appreciated. Cost pretty much no object for the restaurant as I want to treat a very good friend.

Any suggestions folks?

[rayny]

A special dinner out is a matter of personal taste - but have you looked at Buxted Park Hotel, which is just along the A272 and past Uckfield?

[FastLaneGirl]

Thanks rayny, that was an excellent suggestion as I have used Hand Picked Hotels and always found them excellent. Unfortunately they are fully booked as well!

[LukeBird]

Ashdown Park Hotel lovely food, lovely scenery.

[JulesV]

This little place is one of my favourites;

http://www.phishbistro.com/page2.htm

No car park but it is in a quiet road with a lay-by directly opposite. Oh and it helps if you like fish.

[b591]

The Rainbow in Cooksbridge might be a bit close? Else I'd suggest that..

Personally I've always wanted try Gravetye Manor.

[Justin-W]

/\what he said although I've never been there but does look nice

http://www.rainbowsussex.com/

If not drive down into Lewes....

[FUBAR]

Maybe a little too far west?

http://www.southlodgehotel.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/...

How good a friend is she? A good friend, try the Camellia, a great friend, treat her to The Pass

[Zeek]

There's a very reasonable tasting menu available from Ockenden Manor (1 star) which is only around the corner in Cuckfield.

There's also a place called the 272 in Newick along the way from Chailey, but there's no parking, so probably best to avoid it in the new purple beast! I'll keep a look/listen out for you blasting around the lanes...!

[Lemmonie]

FUBAR said:

Maybe a little too far west?

http://www.southlodgehotel.co.uk/EXCLUSIVE_HOTELS/...

How good a friend is she? A good friend, try the Camellia, a great friend, treat her to The Pass

Was just about to suggest this one too!

[ironictwist]

LukeBird said:

Ashdown Park Hotel lovely food, lovely scenery.

Second this...It's quite an experience I hear!

[andye30m3]

Zeek said:

There's also a place called the 272 in Newick along the way from Chailey, but there's no parking, so probably best to avoid it in the new purple beast!

My old work hired this restaurant for our works christmas do every year, always great food but as you say not much of a carpark,

I think the same guy also now owns pub over the road called The Bull, they were also doing very good food last time I went.

Edited by andye30m3 on Tuesday 27th April 11:24

[FUBAR]

Im taking my wife to The Ginger Fox @ Alboune (formerly The Shaves Thatch) for our Anniversary dinner on Saturday night. Crispy calf's brain anyone?

[FastLaneGirl]

Thanks all for the suggestions I'll go back through & see what appeals.

I have been to the Rainbow & it's lovely. I've also been to Ockenden & really enjoyed that so it was next on my list, but we want to go for a bit of a hoon & get a nice backdrop for some car pics so a country hotel is definitely top of the list.

I'll update after Friday with where we ended up, hopefully somewhere has a space!

Thanks again

[JulesV]

Another suggestion:

http://www.gravetyemanor.co.uk/

A beautiful manor house at the end of a long winding drive.

[FUBAR]

I heard from a local that there were financial problems at Gravetye and it might be closing?

[thegman]

The Hungry Monk in Jevington is very nice

http://www.hungrymonk.co.uk/

[JulesV]

FUBAR said:

I heard from a local that there were financial problems at Gravetye and it might be closing?

It went into administration earlier this year but was rescued by a wealthy customer. It has always been a lovely place, good for a few car photos too.

[FastLaneGirl]

Thanks everyone Excellent suggestions & I have bookmarked most of them for future reference!

I have booked us into South Lodge Hotel, it looks exactly what I was after - will report back!

[rayny]

Glad you managed to get something booked, and look forward to your feedback.
In the meantime - Enjoy your evening.