I went with my partner on account of a starring Guardian review but was disappointed from start to finish. The starter was average, a little undercooked and the gravy was mild. The main steak was overcooked, still tasted ok, but I wouldn't be writing this review if the restaurant wasn't unbelievably expensive. The food was average but the price of the meal is startling. The wine was the best part but even that was on the expensive side. I'd strongly reconsider if you're looking for a fine dining experience, because this really left a lot to be desired.Also the toilet is up a strange set of stairs that feels like a staircase in a student house.Really disappointing. Better off going to a pub for a wholesome fish and chips and saving yourself the money.
Suzi Baker
I had heard great things about this restaurant before I came, but I have to say I was a little disappointed. The starters were not hugely tasty and seemed like some of the flavours had been randomly put on a plate (some wilted kale with chicken liver pate?). I had a steak for my main which was overcooked (I asked for medium rare) and my boyfriend had duck, which he also said was quite disappointing. The puddings were also not amazing, the pastry in the millefeuille was undercooked and the chocolate filling was lacking in flavour.The service was great, the wine was delicious and it was a lovely vibe, but I found the food a little to be desired - and the price quite astronomical for what it was.
phillip wells
Went here for valantine lunch, my wife had eaten here 2 weeks before and loved it. No scallops, that was for the evening. Chicken liver parfait tasted how it looked! The fish, hake was tasteless, no seasoning, no butter. My wife is still apologing, unlike the waiter who said no one else has complained.
Sheryl Cooper
Food is top class hereOur duck was cooked to perfectionOffered us more toast when we had pate left over on our startersReally good service and we chose a lovely local sparkling wineReally good value for moneyThank you Fork for a nice birthday treat for my other half
Silvia Clausin
I was expecting a treat here since it has such great reviews and it is priced so highly but I was quite disappointed. The service was very friendly (12% compulsory tip though). The food however was mediocre at best, sadly. When I read the dishes it sounded really good but the taste, quality and freshness just weren't there. The focaccia was bland, the butter didn't have much of a taste and it was supposed to be flavoured with chili and something else. The starter was a pure with not much to it other than stale bread croutons and very chewy parsnip and the main was fried tomato sauce like the one you can purchase at the supermarket with some dumplings. The filling in the dumplings was OK but the dough way too thick and for some reason it wouldn't cool down so I burned my mouth several times, ouch!We had a couple next to us that was quite loud, not sure if this was due to the acoustics of the restaurant or just them being loud.We have eaten in other places in Lewes for a fraction of the price and much better food. They seriously need to step it up!The wine and the vermouth were good as were the smoked rapeseed oil and the truffle oil in the pure and I love that they have and promote local ingredients. But all in all way way too overpriced and not tasty/well cooked enough. Won't be back :0(Response to response: It's shame that you don't take the feedback seriously. Stale bread and bland focaccia should ring alarm bells. The rest you could say it's subjective but I could honestly whip this at home pretty easily and improve it. I did say the food was OK to the waiter. In a place like yours you'd think less than excellent, delicious, amazing, and so on should be a concern. In terms of the tip, you should leave it up to the guest rather than include in in the bill, even if it's discretionary as you say.Dietary restrictions: They have vegan and gluten free options.
Ellen Walsh
Had an amazing lunch with a friend today - we usually lunch in Brighton but this was as good if not better than most of the places there and also a very reasonable cost for lunch. Loved the use of locally sourced produce and drinks - have already booked a return trip to treat my husband!
Ali Dodd
Believe the hype, great restaurant with amazing food and great drinks. The sirloin was stunning, even the bread and butter/oil with wonderful light chilli whipped butter and delicious oak smoked rapeseed oil was just incredible. Go enjoy, it's damn good and rather excellent value for the local quality food.
Joel Higgs
Excellent local product treated with respect and care. Delicious! Highly recommend when in the area.
David B
Had booked a meal for our wedding anniversary but when we turned up we discovered we were sitting at the Kitchen Counter on small and uncomfortable bar stools. My wife has a bad back so we had to cancel and leave. There was nothing on the website when we booked to explain/warn what kitchen counter meant. I had assumed we would be sitting a table. Sad as we were looking forward to it. May try another time but will make sure we book a proper table. I would suggest Fork needs to make it clear what kitchen counter really means.
dloop
Great lunch menu, good value and incredibly tasty. Staff were super friendly and attentive. Particularly enjoyed the fish of the day and the chocolate latte cake.
Had dinner here on a Friday night booked the day before and would thoroughly recommend to anyone. One of us is vegan and there were lots of dishes that were suitable. Loved all the food including the amuse bouche and the bread, everything was well thought out and worked well. Service was efficient and very welcoming. Tables are quite close together but this wasn’t a problem for us as the ones either side were free and meant the restaurant had just the right number of people to staff ratio. The price was very reasonable we thought for the quality and we’d definitely come back if in the area again.Vegetarian options: Many dishes could be made vegan, even the butter with the bread was vegan.
CallumTowler
We loved all 3 courses when we went last Spring, but this time we felt the quality had dipped. The duck main was still great, but the scallop starter lacked flavour and chocolate cake wasn't very good (or chocolatey). We hope it was just a one off and the quality returns to its previous level.
LordDenbigh
Kitchen counter seats are small hard wooden stools with no comfort. The kitchen is very cramped and not very tidy. Most of the kitchen staff work is done in advance with basic cooking of meat and fish only - then assembled with mostly prepared items. Ingredients seem fair quality but not special. Kitchen staff are friendly but overall we were disappointed. Reviews by Grace Dent and Henry Sitwell are complimentary but seem somewhat over generous. Does not live up to the reviews and we shan't be returning. There was nothing offered which a modestly competent home cook could not better. £60 per head for two courses, wine and coffee leave this nmo bargain! Value was nearer to £40 per head.
Nick Gale
We had a lovely time at fork. It manages to present itself as a near fine dining experience while still being reasonably priced. Both starter and main were delicious (they know their fish) and they were able to accommodate our dietary restrictions, despite having relatively limited options for vegan.Vegetarian options: Not a huge amount but the ones available were very tasty
Henry Noelle-Neumann
Amazing small plate style restaurant. Exquisite wines and lovely atmosphere.
I went with my partner on account of a starring Guardian review but was disappointed from start to finish. The starter was average, a little undercooked and the gravy was mild. The main steak was overcooked, still tasted ok, but I wouldn't be writing this review if the restaurant wasn't unbelievably expensive. The food was average but the price of the meal is startling. The wine was the best part but even that was on the expensive side. I'd strongly reconsider if you're looking for a fine dining experience, because this really left a lot to be desired.Also the toilet is up a strange set of stairs that feels like a staircase in a student house.Really disappointing. Better off going to a pub for a wholesome fish and chips and saving yourself the money.
I had heard great things about this restaurant before I came, but I have to say I was a little disappointed. The starters were not hugely tasty and seemed like some of the flavours had been randomly put on a plate (some wilted kale with chicken liver pate?). I had a steak for my main which was overcooked (I asked for medium rare) and my boyfriend had duck, which he also said was quite disappointing. The puddings were also not amazing, the pastry in the millefeuille was undercooked and the chocolate filling was lacking in flavour.The service was great, the wine was delicious and it was a lovely vibe, but I found the food a little to be desired - and the price quite astronomical for what it was.
Went here for valantine lunch, my wife had eaten here 2 weeks before and loved it. No scallops, that was for the evening. Chicken liver parfait tasted how it looked! The fish, hake was tasteless, no seasoning, no butter. My wife is still apologing, unlike the waiter who said no one else has complained.
Food is top class hereOur duck was cooked to perfectionOffered us more toast when we had pate left over on our startersReally good service and we chose a lovely local sparkling wineReally good value for moneyThank you Fork for a nice birthday treat for my other half
I was expecting a treat here since it has such great reviews and it is priced so highly but I was quite disappointed. The service was very friendly (12% compulsory tip though). The food however was mediocre at best, sadly. When I read the dishes it sounded really good but the taste, quality and freshness just weren't there. The focaccia was bland, the butter didn't have much of a taste and it was supposed to be flavoured with chili and something else. The starter was a pure with not much to it other than stale bread croutons and very chewy parsnip and the main was fried tomato sauce like the one you can purchase at the supermarket with some dumplings. The filling in the dumplings was OK but the dough way too thick and for some reason it wouldn't cool down so I burned my mouth several times, ouch!We had a couple next to us that was quite loud, not sure if this was due to the acoustics of the restaurant or just them being loud.We have eaten in other places in Lewes for a fraction of the price and much better food. They seriously need to step it up!The wine and the vermouth were good as were the smoked rapeseed oil and the truffle oil in the pure and I love that they have and promote local ingredients. But all in all way way too overpriced and not tasty/well cooked enough. Won't be back :0(Response to response: It's shame that you don't take the feedback seriously. Stale bread and bland focaccia should ring alarm bells. The rest you could say it's subjective but I could honestly whip this at home pretty easily and improve it. I did say the food was OK to the waiter. In a place like yours you'd think less than excellent, delicious, amazing, and so on should be a concern. In terms of the tip, you should leave it up to the guest rather than include in in the bill, even if it's discretionary as you say.Dietary restrictions: They have vegan and gluten free options.
Had an amazing lunch with a friend today - we usually lunch in Brighton but this was as good if not better than most of the places there and also a very reasonable cost for lunch. Loved the use of locally sourced produce and drinks - have already booked a return trip to treat my husband!
Believe the hype, great restaurant with amazing food and great drinks. The sirloin was stunning, even the bread and butter/oil with wonderful light chilli whipped butter and delicious oak smoked rapeseed oil was just incredible. Go enjoy, it's damn good and rather excellent value for the local quality food.
Excellent local product treated with respect and care. Delicious! Highly recommend when in the area.
Had booked a meal for our wedding anniversary but when we turned up we discovered we were sitting at the Kitchen Counter on small and uncomfortable bar stools. My wife has a bad back so we had to cancel and leave. There was nothing on the website when we booked to explain/warn what kitchen counter meant. I had assumed we would be sitting a table. Sad as we were looking forward to it. May try another time but will make sure we book a proper table. I would suggest Fork needs to make it clear what kitchen counter really means.
Great lunch menu, good value and incredibly tasty. Staff were super friendly and attentive. Particularly enjoyed the fish of the day and the chocolate latte cake.
Restaurantji Recommends
Had dinner here on a Friday night booked the day before and would thoroughly recommend to anyone. One of us is vegan and there were lots of dishes that were suitable. Loved all the food including the amuse bouche and the bread, everything was well thought out and worked well. Service was efficient and very welcoming. Tables are quite close together but this wasn’t a problem for us as the ones either side were free and meant the restaurant had just the right number of people to staff ratio. The price was very reasonable we thought for the quality and we’d definitely come back if in the area again.Vegetarian options: Many dishes could be made vegan, even the butter with the bread was vegan.
We loved all 3 courses when we went last Spring, but this time we felt the quality had dipped. The duck main was still great, but the scallop starter lacked flavour and chocolate cake wasn't very good (or chocolatey). We hope it was just a one off and the quality returns to its previous level.
Kitchen counter seats are small hard wooden stools with no comfort. The kitchen is very cramped and not very tidy. Most of the kitchen staff work is done in advance with basic cooking of meat and fish only - then assembled with mostly prepared items. Ingredients seem fair quality but not special. Kitchen staff are friendly but overall we were disappointed. Reviews by Grace Dent and Henry Sitwell are complimentary but seem somewhat over generous. Does not live up to the reviews and we shan't be returning. There was nothing offered which a modestly competent home cook could not better. £60 per head for two courses, wine and coffee leave this nmo bargain! Value was nearer to £40 per head.
We had a lovely time at fork. It manages to present itself as a near fine dining experience while still being reasonably priced. Both starter and main were delicious (they know their fish) and they were able to accommodate our dietary restrictions, despite having relatively limited options for vegan.Vegetarian options: Not a huge amount but the ones available were very tasty
Amazing small plate style restaurant. Exquisite wines and lovely atmosphere.