The Ivy Asia Brighton A Review
“an explosion for the senses from the minute you walk in the door to the moment you leave. The interior is stunning , the service is great, and most importantly the food is out of this world.”
This Summer saw the long-awaited opening of the Ivy Asia in the heart of Brighton’s historic quarter. The restaurant is the Ivy’s first Asian inspired concept to open in Sussex, and launched to a star-studded fanfare complete with dancers, drums, sushi, champagne and cocktails. We were lucky enough to attend the exclusive opening night and let me tell you now you are in for a treat!
The space has to be seen to be believed. Sophisticated, sleek and effortlessly cool with luminous green onyx flooring and spectacular artworks adorning the walls. Luxurious Asian fabrics and carefully collected antiques are scattered throughout, while dim lighting exudes an understated elegance. The restaurant is all beautifully lit, the floor glows bright pink and green as the onyx reflects the illumination. The bar has a pagoda-style roof, and the intimate glow of cute little table lamps all add to the sleek nightclub feel. Our eyes widened like children in a sweet shop everywhere we turn. it really is most definitely sensory overload, but in the best possible way and must truly be seen to be believed.
Set over two floors the Ivy Asia is open seven days a week, offering everything from lunch, afternoon tea, dinner and weekend brunch. It also promises theatrical drinks and cocktails alongside a menu of tantalising dishes that take inspiration from cuisines spanning the continent of Asia and given a unique twist. menu covers all bases, it runs from sushi and sashimito to bao, skewers, tempura, as well as substantial meat and fish dishes, some of which were showcased on the opening night, and they emerged from the kitchen in abundance, with steam, smoke and sizzles.
Everything we tried was simply outstanding. We sampled dishes such as spinach and mushroom gyoza’s with ginger and black truffle which were an absolute delight. They slowly melted in the mouth to reveal the rich earthy flavour of the fillings whilst the luxuriously pungent truffle cut through the ginger. All the flavours and textures combined were poetically good.
Another stand out dish we tried was the clay pot prawn and tamarind curry, which was bursting with all the flavours of the dish all coming into their own and perfectly complimenting each other.
My personal favourite of the evening however, seared beef tataki with three kinds of onion which was abundant in layers of flavour and really showed off the skills and passion of executive chef Simon Gregory and his team, leaving us hankering for more.
Accompanying the menu are a delicious selection of cocktails, sakes, wines, Champagnes and speciality Asian teas. The Cocktails we tried on the launch night transported us with a series of exciting flavours and colourful garnishes, lifting out spirits as we danced the night away to some great tunes provided by the Asia’s fantastic resident DJ.
The Ivy Asia really is an really was an explosion for the senses from the minute you walk in the door to the moment you leave. The interior is stunning , the service is great, and most importantly the food is out of this world amazing. . We cannot wait to go back to try out the rest of the menu.
Tony Shattell
The Ivy Asia
Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AF
https://theivyasia.com/restaurants/the-ivy-asia-brighton
