Rudy’s Pizza has arrived in Brighton – at the former Chilli Pickle site in Jubilee Street. It’s only been open a week or so and we were invited to try the menu at the first Rudy’s Pizza to come down to the south coast.
The restaurant has been decked out stylishly with an open kitchen, big sharing tables, Italian posters, bars, a wall of giant San Marzano tinned tomatoes, and plants hanging from the ceiling. Despite being a chain, Rudy’s Pizza Brighton has an authentic Neopolitan feel with the central pizza oven kitchen, handwritten chalkboards, many Italian staff and outdoor seating.
There was a real buzz to the restaurant when we arrived and staff were welcoming and friendly. It took 15 minutes from us being seated to someone coming to our table to take our drinks order, but our waiter was very friendly, entertaining and charming for the rest of the evening.
The menu has a good amount of options. Starters include Sicilian Nocellara Olives (£3.90), salted crisps (£1.60), garlic bread with mozzarella and garlic butter (£8.30), and burrata (£8.50). We decided on a sharer rather than a starter each as we were anticipating three courses and saw a lot of people leaving with pizza boxes so wanted to leave room for everything. We opted for the small Veggie Campana (£9.90), which included delicious, creamy mozzarella, flavour-packed peppers and tomatoes, crispy house bread, olives and toasted almonds. The dressing on the rocket was tasty and the ingredients tasted fresh and authentic. Other sharers on offer included a meat Campana and a Caprese Famiglia (tomato and mozzarella salad).
There are 16 pizzas on the main menu ranging from a Magherita (£10.90) or vegan Marinara (£9.50) to Capricciosa (£14.90) and ‘Nduja Ortolana, which is another vegan option (£14.90). We had to go for a pizza special each though – there are three to choose from (all £15.90). I was tempted by The Philomena, as I loved the story written on the menu. Roisin Callaghan, senior pizzaiola at Rudy’s Didsbury crafted the unique pizza as a tribute to her Nana Philomena, who loved homemade marmalade for a competition. My partner chose Diego’s Diavola, which was created by “Rudy’s top pizzaiolo” Lorenzo Floris, who collaborated with “Neapolitan legend” Diego Vitagliano to come up with this special. The stories on the menu were a nice touch.
Rudy’s Pizza Brighton has a vast drinks menu and in true Italian style, there’s a wide range of Spritzes on offer. I chose the Hugo Spritz (£9.50), which includes St-Germain elderflower liquer, prosecco and soda, while my boyfriend had Mango and Blood Orange Spritz (£9.50). I also tried the Morello Cherry Spritz (£9.50) and my fellow diner a pint of Poretti (£6.70). All the Spritzes I tasted had punchy flavour.
It’s great to be able to see the chefs putting together your pizza and ritualistically place each one in the pizza oven, the centrepiece of the restaurant. The Philomena was packed with toppings and flavour and I haven’t tasted a pizza like it before. The chilli marmalade packs a punch and it’s quite a spicy pizza. The pizza base is “authentic Neopolitan”, so that’s light and fluffy and soft and fluffy. Delicious. We swapped a couple of slices and Diego’s Diavola was my favourite; the showstopping ingredient being the creamy stracciatella cheese, complimenting the spice of ‘nduja and red chilli. Also available on the menu is a range of side salads, at £5.70 each. There’s also the option to add burrata to any pizza, as well as a range of extra toppings.
For dessert, we chose two scoops of Gelato – vanilla and strawberry (£5) and a Panna Cotta Cheesecake (£5.90.) These delicious desserts were the perfect light finish to our leisurely and flavoursome meal.
Rudy’s Pizza Brighton is a great addition to the restaurants in the city centre. I look forward to returning and hope it does well.
Address: Jubilee Street, Brighton, BN1 1GE
Website: https://www.rudyspizza.co.uk/
