A swish new nugget from the team that brought you the award winning Coal Shed restaurant, The Salt Room is the sea food inspired sister, providing a fancy fish supper that following on from my stunning visit, will truly not disappoint.
The Venue
Nestled under the Hilton Brighton Metropole, The Salt Room brings a touch of modern sophistication to the traditional hotels on the sea front. There's a heated terrace out front for those wanting some sea air but window seats inside still provide great views of the sea and the West pier. The décor in the restaurant made for a pretty nice view itself; all exposed brick, marble tables and bare light bulbs. The Salt Room definitely wouldn’t look out of place in Manhattan, but blue prints of carousels and pier storm breakers hang on the walls to remind you The Salt Room is Brighton through and through.
Contemporary with a rustic edge, clean lines make up most of the space at The Salt Room.
The Food and Drink
The Salt Room is mainly focused on great seafood but also has a small selection from the Josper grill of steaks and other meaty dishes for the more carnivorous out there. We started with Salt Room bread and butter - homemade bread served with anchovy mayonnaise and butter with black lava salt. This set the tone for the rest of the meal; even the more simple dishes are done exquisitely and each one comes with a bit of a twist. For my main course I chose roast cod (£18), the fish was fresh and perfectly cooked with a slight golden brown crisp on top. Not always one to finish my vegetables (sorry Mum!) I cleared my plate and also those of the vegetable sides. Everything was beautifully presented and tasted amazing with every flavour complimenting the other and left me and my friend full and content. That didn't stop us from fitting in pudding though! Recommended by the waitress, we went for Taste of the Pier (£17) - mini ice cream cones, candy floss, chocolate pebbles, fudge, marshmallows and ring doughnuts served on a slab of wood recovered from West Pier for true authenticity. Every bit was as tasty as the other and we struggled with an answer when the waitress asked which was our favourite part.
The drinks menu was truly extensive, offering a range of gin & tonics, bloody Marys, martinis, cocktails, beers and wine as well as a "Driver's Choice" selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. I went for a Mai Tai cocktail (£8.5) - El Dorado 3yo rum, SR almond & vanilla syrup, citrus, icing sugar served in a tiki statue cup, the cocktail was just sweet enough with a subtle rum kick. My friend got the Sweet Side of Manhattan (£8.5) a Bulleit bourbon based drink with chocolate undertones which was rich and full of flavour.
Seasonably sourced, local dishes with contemporary flair make up the bones of a meal at The Salt Room.
The Atmosphere
The Salt Room doesn’t need to shout about how good it is, it’s understated, more concerned with producing exceptional food and service. The waiting staff were incredibly friendly and really know their stuff; happy to discuss the various dishes on the menu or describe the number of beers on offer. The Salt Room was classy without being pretentious; everyone is welcomed from business people grabbing a bite after work to families, couples and groups of friends.
Subtle charm and a top notch waiting staff make The Salt Room a must-try location.
Summary
If you’re looking for a top quality meal in a stylish location with a relaxed atmosphere, then I feel that The Salt Room is the place for you. Experts in food and flavour, whether you opt for fruits of the sea or something more meaty, you’ll be guaranteed a unique, modern dish that will taste as good as it looks.
