L'Eglise - Brighton and Hove

Julia and Jean-Christophe Martin named their restaurant L'Eglise after its location in Church Road, Hove, but there's nothing reverential about the atmosphere or cooking in this exciting new arrival on the Brighton scene.

The emphasis is wholeheartedly on all things French, from the vibrant brasserie atmosphere, solid wood furnishings and pewter to the menu of classic bourgeois dishes. Start with smoked haddock brandade or 18 month-cured Pyrenéan ham with celeriac rémoulade and capers, ahead of duck confit with sweet potato mash, poussin crapaudine or steak au poivre with duck fat chips.

Desserts maintain the traditional theme with the likes of tarte au citron, îles flotantes and crème brûlée; otherwise dip into the selection of French and English farmhouse cheeses. There's a special dish for reach day of the week (Thursday brings cassoulet toulousain) and the wine list is full of carefully chosen bottles from French regional vineyards.