English's Fish Restaurant, Brighton, England

 English's Restaurant has been a  famuly owned and run restaurant serving fish in seaside Brighton for decades. More than fifty years ago my husband used to be taken by his mother down to Brighton for the weekend and they ate in English's.

 She was a chatty lady, a regular customer. she told us that one day the manager confided in her, "Don't tell anybody else, but my chefs and cooks are Chinese. They are all excellent cooks."  That was then, but a story which still amuses my family.

The restaurant has tables outside in the lanes, an area of narrow streets and historic buildings and lots of restaurants and outdoor tables, with colourful flowers everywhere, even in sunny September.

English

English's had two entrances, one which says Oyster bar. The everyday food of years ago is the modern world's rarity and delicacy. 

We ate in the restaurant on the left.

We started with an English sparkling whiite wine, to go with our white fish. I ordered plaice.

The diners at the next table had shellfish which I could not try because I am allergic to them.

Toilet and Table

The toilet is down about four stairs, but plenty to cling onto. 

We four sat in a secluded window seat, at an oblong table, with a nook for my handbag off the floor. The table was small enough for cosy, friendly chatting of the four of us friends.

We had attentive service from an agreeable young lady who, when she could not answer all our barrage of questions, said, 'I shall find out for you.'

We had been concerned by reports that the restaurant was going to be sold. However, replying to my husband's anxious follow-up email, the current owner assured us that he had decided to continue the business.

If you are easily frightened by prices, admire English's as you pass by, and save up for a special occasion. Brighton is full of eating places at all prices. English's was a quiet refuge. Outside, the streets were thronging with weird and wonderfully dressed people, strolling or dining, with long orange hair, or short pink hair, multi-colour hair, young and old, English and foreign, on a sunny Saturday.

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