On Thursday evening I ventured into Bohemia Brighton in the Lanes, for an indulgent meal and drink with a date. Best known as a swanky cocktail destination, a sense of sultry sophistication pervades the venue, with red lighting and club beats greeting us as we arrived. The meal was warming, flavourful, full of delightful touches and served with panache.
The menu has a pleasing variety, with a range of dishes that feels both familiar and special, from a range of cuisines and encompassing meat, fish and veggie and vegan options.
For starters, I had Rosemary smoked lamb koftas (£15), with roasted artichoke yoghurt, confit garlic and charred lemon – succulent and rich, and served on a grill. My companion had Thai-style tiger prawns (£12) in lime, coriander, fresh chilli and soy sauce – the flavours of that were simply stunning. It came with a glass of lemon water so he could wash his hands after de-shelling the prawns – it was small touches like this that really elevated the experience.
For the main course. I chose miso & soya glazed Japanese aubergine (£17). It was served with a crispy potato pavé, tempura spring onions, pickled chillies and a coconut curry sauce – with edible flowers. It looked beautiful. My date had a wild mushroom porcini lasagne (£21) – warming, tasty and with truffle oil served at the table. The waiting staff were excellent – attentive and friendly without being intrusive.
The tantalisingly-named ‘Bohemia’s Famous Smoking Tiramisu’ (£9) was unavailable, so I had sticky toffee pudding for dessert, while my date plumped for rhubarb crumble (each also £9). The sticky toffee pudding, served with vanilla biscuit ice cream and toffee sauce, was completely heavenly and the highlight of the meal for me.
It’s the cocktails at Bohemia that really bring the wow factor. After our meal, I had a Beside the Seaside (£13) , basically an ice cream in cocktail form – Martell VS, Disaronno, cherry brandy and vanilla served in an ice cream cone glass, topped with salted butterscotch foam with sprinkles… a real treat! And my date had the showstopping Jekyll & Hyde (£14) , a drink involving rum, apricot brandy liquer, absinthe, a glow stick and billowing, glowing smoke. You can also get a ‘live by the dice’ cocktail, rolling to decide your ingredients, or get ‘Pornstar Martinis on a Tree’ for £150 – a tree of 12 pornstar martinis and a bottle of prosecco to share among friends. Elsewhere on the menu you can order from a selection of cigars, and really indulge your fantasy of being a high-rolling man/woman/person-about-town!
Bohemia is the perfect place for a special meal with a bit of flair and showmanship – whether it’s a date, a work party or a classy hen or stag do. And there is live jazz from 9.30pm on Thursdays – an excellent way to continue the evening in style.
Starters £9-£15, Mains £17- £28, Desserts £6- £12, Cocktails £13-£17
Website: https://www.bohemiabrighton.co.uk/
Address: 54-55 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB
