Rendezvous Casino – Brighton Marina – Working Lunch Review

A Rendezvous at the Waterside Brasserie

Rendezvous Casino, Brighton Marina (located within the Rendezvous Casino)

The bright lights over felt tables and the clatter of the roulette ball are teasing me as I walk through to the Rendezvous Casino in Brighton Marina. I wouldn’t call myself a gambler, but I have a few quid in my pocket and it’s surprising how quickly that starts to burn a hole when you see other people gleefully pulling stacks of chips towards themselves, contemplating their next move. However, it’s not the blackjack tables and poker games I’ve come for: I’m here to explore the jewel in the casino’s crown, the Waterside Brassiere.

Tucked away upstairs, the brassiere is a visibly slick operation which quietly oozes classic glamour. Its bold black and white is reminiscent of an Art Deco style but there’s nothing old fashioned about the menu or the service here – no mod cons or luxuries are spared.   Pleasantly unsurprising is the cocktail menu, featuring a well balanced blend of classic staples and house favourites. I enjoy a raspberry martini, made with fresh juice, and enjoy the ambience of the background music and occasional drift of casino excitement.

The staff are ready when you are and I’m whisked to a table, bestowed with menus and fresh bread to nibble at whilst I peruse the menu. The bistro menu offers a stripped back menu of tasty light bites and small dishes, whilst the more extensive brasserie menu focuses around quality ingredients like steaks and fresh fish.

 

That’s not to say it’s basic fare by any stretch of the imagination – I decide on Caerphilly, beetroot and balsamic cheesecake with black pepper shortbread, mustard leaf green olive sauce. Whilst I’m not normally a fan of the whole modernist savoury-courses-masquerading-as-desserts concept, the flavour combinations appealed too much to turn down and I’m not disappointed. It’s incredibly well balanced and rich…I almost wish I’d just had a main course sized portion of this! My main course, however – fresh pea, asparagus, fennel, mint and feta risotto finished with chervil buttered spinach and wild garlic – turns out to be worth saving room for. The deep yet fresh flavours and thoughtful textures make this a stand-out course that’s worth singling the restaurant out for. For desert I am drawn to the enigmatically named ‘English Garden’, which turns out to be chocolate and macadamia soil, homemade macaroons, crème Chantilly mint sprigs and blackberry jelly. It’s one of those dishes that’s such a work of art on the plate that I’m hesitant to dig my spoon in, but my sweet tooth soon overwhelms my appreciative eye and I dig in. Delicious and fun, this is definitely one to recommend to friends and clients who visit.

Attentive, friendly staff; tasty and artistic food and built in entertainment – the Waterfront has it all. I’d say the atmosphere and added lure of the casino, for an after dinner flutter, makes it an obvious choice for a long evening or a more extended event rather than a quick lunch, but it’s ideal for a business entertaining with a varied menu and great bar. On the practical side – yes, there’s poker and a garden made of pudding, and I’m going to bore you with logistics! – there’s plenty of free parking right outside which is a rare commodity anywhere these days, let alone in a thriving city like Brighton, so it’s a great selling point when you’re looking for somewhere to meet associates who need to travel in, even if only from the other side of town! It’s placed just at the entrance to the marina, with its shops, bars and attractive boardwalk just a few steps away. Whether you need or want to visit any of these amenities or not, it must be one of the most convenient places to get to for a meeting in the whole Brighton and Hove area. The Rendezvous Casino’s blend of in-house entertainment, the Waterfront restaurant and its easy-access location make it an ideal gateway to the city and its businesses… and the cocktails don’t hurt either.