Nostos Restaurant Brighton Review
For me, Greek dining conjures images of clinking glasses, generous plates laden with vibrant flavours and that unmistakable Mediterranean welcome. A recent meal at Nostos delivered all of the above.
Situated adjacent to Palmeira Square on Holland Road in Hove, Nostos is easy to find. The interior is contemporary while giving a nod to a traditional taverna, with soft overhead lighting and floor-to-ceiling windows which open fully in warmer months.
I was presented with an ice-cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc (Greek wine is also available) and ordered olives with taramasalata and pitta bread to start. Forget the usual garish salmon-pink coloured offering, this was pale and delicate in flavour. The fish roe, although evident, was not overpowering and was balanced with fresh lemon juice and garlic. Dipping the warm pitta and gorging on the plump, buttery olives was a delightful precursor to the dishes that followed.
Grilled lamb chops ‘El Greco’ were next on the dining agenda. Perfectly seasoned and chargrilled, served with refreshing mint tzatziki, grilled vegetables, and a scattering of pomegranate seeds for a touch of sweetness. The meat was tender and pink in the middle and each mouthful of those traditional Greek flavours blended together like an old married couple.
I ended my feast with chicken souvlaki, an eternal favourite of mine. (Yes, I over-ordered for research purposes only.) Flame-grilled skewers marinated in garlic, oregano and lemon served with politiki salad, fries, pitta bread and more of the creamy tzatziki. Once again, the meat was grilled to perfection. At Nostos they like to feed you and they do it well with fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
An honorary mention must be given to the feta nest parcel, (ordered by my dining partner) – creamy feta wrapped in golden, crispy filo pastry, drizzled with honey and finished with toasted sesame seeds. Stunning!
As much as I would like to, I can’t always dine at a Greek taverna next to the Aegean Sea, but a visit to Nostos on a sunny Sussex afternoon comes impressively close.
Nostos Restaurant Brighton: www.nostos-hove.co.uk | 63a Holland Road, Hove BN3 1BA
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