Top Tables
Words: Sophy Grimshaw Brighton’s new rock Italian celebrity chef Aldo Zilli is almost synonymous with dining out in London’s Soho – given the success of his eateries Signor Zilli, Zilli Fish and Zilli Café. So, for his first foray out of London, it’s telling that he’s chosen Brighton, which is growing as a commuter destination. He’s launched his latest Zilli Café in [...]
Words: Sophy Grimshaw
Brighton’s new rock
Italian celebrity chef Aldo Zilli is almost synonymous
with dining out in London’s Soho – given the success of
his eateries Signor Zilli, Zilli Fish and Zilli Café. So, for
his first foray out of London, it’s telling that he’s chosen
Brighton, which is growing as a commuter destination.
He’s launched his latest Zilli Café in the myhotel Brighton
and it’s his most strikingly designed yet. Think nautical
curves and the space of a huge vessel: there’s 120 covers
indoors, and another 120 outdoors.
“As it’s Brighton, I’ve put a lot of effort into the fish
dishes – they’re classic but with voom,” the flamboyant
chef tells Voyager at the launch. Try the Branzino, £16.50
(whole organic seabass with olive oil and lemon) or his
signature Spaghetti all’Astice, £19 (spaghetti with fresh
lobster, cherry tomatoes and a creamy shellfish sauce).
“I wanted this restaurant to appeal to people who like
good quality – but also want to have a good time,” he
adds, with a wink. Looks like you can take the boy out of
Soho, but you can’t take Soho out of the boy.
Brasserie Zilli, myhotel Brighton, 17 Jubilee Street,
Brighton, East Sussex BN1 1GE, +44 (0)1273 900 300;
www.zillialdo.com
Ocean drive
Sticking with a nautical theme (like Brasserie Zilli,
above) is C-House, a new opening in Chicago. Head
to this seafood eaterie to prise open stone crab claws
and little neck oysters, or try abalone shellfish, sweet
shrimp and even sea urchin. Chef Marcus Samuelsson
ensures the dishes are complemented by a wine list
with plenty of New World light, crisp whites.
C-House, Affinia Hotel, 166 East Superior Street
Chicago, +1 (312) 523 0923;ww.affinia.com
Mega-bites
The website www.toptable.com, where you can book tables at hundreds of restaurants
in the UK and abroad, often at substantial discounts, seems to be benefiting from the
economic climate. “Despite the credit crunch, the number of people booking through
the site has soared 100% in the past year,” says site editor Michelle Smith. Browse
restaurants such as the cavernous D’Vijff Vlieghen (‘The Five Flies’) in Amsterdam
[Spuistraat 294-302, Amsterdam, +31 (0)20 530 4060], pictured above, where Elvis,
Walt Disney and Bruce Springsteen are among the past patrons, and the ornate
Canova dining room in Venice, [in the Luna Hotel, 1243 Calle de l’Ascension, San
Marco, Venice, +39 (0)41 528 9840; www.baglionihotels.com]. Also handy if you want
to check the availability of halal, wheat-free or vegetarian food in advance.
