Our editor was invited to new venue ‘The Pour House’ in Hove for a private dining experience ahead of the launch party.
I arrived at new venue The Pour House on a chilly evening in February and was honoured to be one of the first to try the food and cocktails. New owners Emma-Jane and Alex have spared no expense on refurbishing the space, (formally known as Divino’s Wine Bar), which boasts an outdoor covered smoking area with retractable roof in preparation for the forthcoming warmer months. There’s also an event space downstairs and plans are in place to utilise this for comedy and cabaret.
Myself, the owners and a few of their close friends assembled on one of the large dining tables and eagerly awaited the food served by Chef Fergus, who presented a variety of his signature global fusion small plates, each one more imaginative than the last.
We ate (deep breath) Aubergine fries, smoked beet hummus, pomegranate, Shiitake and rocket salad with Tom Yum dressing, toasted peanut, Beetroot and cucumber bel puri, raita and tamarind, Goats cheese and roasted pepper arancini with chorizo jam, Burrata, grilled peach, rocket, pine nuts, szechuan chilli oil, Smoked Lobster and burned pineapple puris, Grilled asparagus, harissa butter and dukkah Panko baby corn, Fried chicken thigh, black garlic and chipotle sauce pickled ginger, Prawn toast crumpet, soy cured egg yolk, Potato pave, smoked brisket, massaman curry sauce, Jerk duck leg, plantain puree, sweet potato.
Having slowly worked our way through every dish mentioned above, I can safely say many ‘Ohh’ and ‘Ah’ moments were induced as we collectively simped over each delicious mouthful. I was impressed with the variety of plant-based dishes as these can often be an afterthought in meat serving venues. The depth of flavours and textures were delightful. While I would certainly eat every dish again without hesitation, my word count restricts me from waxing lyrical about them all. A highlight for me was the Burrata. My fork burst the soft outer shell to reveal a creamy rich interior complimented by the sweet peaches and crunchy pine nuts. Secondly the Shiitake salad, salty mushrooms with a meat like quality, fresh rocket leaves and crunchy peanuts. The marriage of earthy and tangy elements left me wishing I could eat the whole bowl by myself.
Expertly shaken cocktails were periodically brought to the table in fun-shaped delicate glassware. A tiny bird held the contents of the Pear Daiquiri, with a bloom of fresh herbs protruding from its tail end, this was a firm favourite. The venue also has a Sommelier who has curated some exceptional wines, perfect for connoisseurs or the wine curious alike.
Food is my love language and being able to share this feast and conversation about it with interesting people was a notable occasion for me. I cannot wait to return for more of my favourites and recommend you do the same.
63 Church Road, Hove BN3 2BD
01273 435938
