A la Colthard/Stanmer House

Stanmer House is described as Brighton’s best kept secret. It’s a country house set in large park adjacent to the main university campus at Falmer opposite the Amex stadium on the A27. Normally when you visit any park you are first confronted by a whole raft of prohibitions:

‘No barbecues, no football games, dogs on a lead etc.’

It’s  typically Brighton that no such regulations seem to exist in Stanmer Park. You soon see football games, dogs running free  and you can even barbecue. As far as I can see you can do pretty much what you like which is why on a Sunday so many flock there particularly on a glorious autumnal day with the leaves on the tree a beautiful russet. I wanted to check out the restaurant in the main house now under new management. Overall I was impressed, particularly the service. The restaurant area extends all through the main rooms, the bar, entrance hall and three dining rooms. In the past I heard they can serve as much as 1000 covers on a Sunday.

I chose a chicken liver parfait and traditional roast beef with trimmings. The chicken parfait was rich and served with melba toast and walnut and a bacon salad. All excellent. The roast beef was overcooked and slightly greasy.  The large Yorkshire pie as with most Yorkshire pies soon became cold. I could find no fault withe roast potatoes, turnips and carrots.  For puds, as there was some Malbec left in my glass, I chose a cheeseboard of Sussex cheese. The other two diners chose salmon and organic lamb were more complimentary of their dishes. The bill for three came to £120. Our waitress from Sardinia was cheerful and friendly . The maitre’d apologised for the delay. Leaving the house but still in the park I saw a church, farm and sheep grazing. All very pastoral and a world away from the seafront, pier, trippers shops and naughty weekends at the Old Ship Hotel!!!