Esplanade Hotel

This pub is conveniently located just opposite the Brighton Jetty so basically it is one of those seaside pubs, which means that you can expect all of the people pouring down here for a swim on a hot day to end up at this pub for a cold drink. There is a pretty decent bistro (I came here with some friends once, though I was told off by my half-German friend for ordering the schnitzel since he doesn't accept that any schnitzel that isn't made true German style is a true schnitzel), and a couple of outdoor areas. In fact there is a dog friendly outdoor area where people can sit with their dogs and have a beer (you aren't allowed to have food around dogs unfortunately). There is another outdoor area opposite the beach, though it does get really, really windy). Oh, I should also mention that they happen to have a juice bar as well.

the cafe :-
oh dear. i think its got some tough competition surrounding it at the moment.
it wasnt the food that was poor, but the service. the customer service for a wednesday - lunch time was terrible. so bad that after we had finished our meals and sat for an hour talking, no one came to take our empty plates away. the staff behind the counter was not very pleasant and could use some manners or some customer service skills of just being friendly, rather than grunting at the counter when taking our order.
if it werent for the food - i'm positive we would have walked out.
time to lift your game guys

The Cafe :-
this time when visiting i went to the cafe, which has indoor and outdoor dining. it was for breakfast, and was beautiful. I guess when going to the espy you should take into consideration what time of the day you are visiting and which section of the hotel you are going to eat in?! there is the bistro dining area and the cafe area. the cafe seems to have it all, i wish the bistro was a bit more fine dining like that cafe. but its not.
On this experience the cafe was busy and it was a tuesday (so one should think not a busy day) but it was reasonably busy.
the food was tasty and it came out reasonably quickly. our coffee however took longer than expected. it didnt actually come out until we had finished our meals.
the service was pleasant and the staff were welcoming and helpful when it came to choosing, and considering extras on your plate etc.
pictures speak for them selves... take a look :)

well what a shocka!

we had a large group from netball go this week... every one ordered different meals. the schnitzel was fine as was the pie. but if you ordered anything else it was bad. my vegetable korma had uncooked vegtables, the sauce was watered down and very thin. the rice was gluggy, over cooked and the taste of the poppadom was clearly cooked in a microwave and tasted powdery. it was a horrid meal - but i was so hungry i ate it. the salad bar had nice soft warm rolls (this was the positive) the salads looked like left over bits and pieces, the asian noodle salad (where all the noodles were soggy and yuck) was still sitting there at 7pm it should have been ...read more

Bad bad bad!! Wanted to rate this establishment less than half a star, but couldn't. Went there for breakfast this morning and will not be returning. My bacon, eggs and toast were completely cold. The eggs were rubbery and tasted like old produce. My partners 'brekkie pizza' was ok, although compared to the same order from many other restaurants, below par. They used powdered scrambled eggs. What else needs to be said.