Brighton’s culinary landscape is ever-evolving, and this month we’re excited to shine a spotlight on two fresh arrivals that promise to shake up the city’s dining scene. Whether you’re craving a seafood spectacle or an interactive curry feast, The Gothic Crab and Roti King prove that Brighton’s restaurant scene remains as inventive and as irresistible as ever.
THE GOTHIC CRAB
Tucked just off St James’s Street, The Gothic Crab brings a theatrical twist to seafood boils. On launch night, we were welcomed like honoured guests by the owner, who ushered
us to our window seat with an ice-cold bottle of crisp white wine.
The evening kicked off with a sharing platter of sourdough bread served alongside a trio of house-whipped seafood butters, a simple but perfect prelude. When our seafood feast arrived, it came steaming in a huge bowl that featured crab claws, lobster tails, mussels, king prawns, clams, chorizo and baby potatoes, all tossed
in a rich, smoky spice mix.
Each mouthful was the ideal marriage of ocean-fresh sweetness and warming heat, and the attentive team made sure our glasses stayed topped up throughout. With moody candlelight and gothic decor, this is seafood dining with a deliciously dark edge.
ROTI KING
This Malaysian venue bridges the gap between high-end restaurant and fast-food joint. Newly opened in May, the queue of expectant customers would have been clearly visible from space, with diners clamouring to experience freshly made roti to be dipped into meat and vegetarian curries.
Roti King delivers freshly made flatbreads, or rotis, designed for dunking into robust curries. We kicked off with a refreshing cans of MOTH Margaritas before tucking into generous cups of fragrant chicken curry and melt-in-the-mouth beef rendang.
Through a glass partition, you can watch the chefs stretch dough to impossibly thin discs, spin them in mid-air and slide them into the blazing oven. Each diner receives two rotis, perfect for mopping up every last drop of sauce. The kitchen’s pristine openness and friendly staff complete a dining experience that’s as engaging to watch as it is delicious to eat.
