LATIN LOUNGE

Sam Brodbeck

Apr 19 |19:39
Latin_Lounge_WEB
LATIN LOUNGE    
Simmering seductively since last December, Latin Lounge promises diners an exotic gateway to ‘Latin life.’
 
Brighton’s infamous West Street plays host to this restaurant and cocktail bar-cum-Latin music venue that would normally be more suited to a Buenos Aires boulevard or shady square in Madrid. Police on Saturday nights will be glad to find that this latest addition is not a happy hour drinking barn but caters to a more chilled-out clientele.
We arrived, starving, at 9 o’clock, having waited so as not to appear like typical English people – cold and early-eating. I inadvertently ordered Latin Lounge’s most popular dish; Feijoada, unofficial national dish of Brazil and Portugal and made of beans, rice, chunks of tender meat and slices of spicy sausage. The waitress explained how the chef and some of the Lounge’s Brazilian regulars had collaborated and slowly tweaked the meal until it matched the authentic staple of home. So popular is the Feijoada that it has two dedicated nights every week accompanied by live Brazilian samba. ‘Feijoada Fridays’ boast £8.50 meals and a ‘Feijoada Family’ day on Sunday aims to rival the dominance of the traditional pub roast.
 
While I tried to chomp like a Brazilian, my partner enjoyed constructing variations on classic fajitas, carefully selecting from a hot plate of sizzling vegetables and exploring the many bowls of dips and sauces. Choosing what to drink was more of a problem, simply reading through the menu of 80 cocktails (does anywhere in Brighton have more?) was a challenge, but a well-balanced Caipirinha straight from Carnival was worth the effort. For barflies and cocktail connoisseurs it is worth remembering that Latin Lounge is one of very few places in England that offer cocktails using the legendary Pisco spirit made in the mountains of Chile and Peru.
 
Music is clearly a big part of the Lounge’s concept and atmosphere. When we strolled through the door a rustic, three-piece band had just struck up – the drummer nonchalantly thrashing out sultry rhythms on an old box between his legs. Mondays host free flamenco nights where renowned international performers provide the background for dining and dancing. On April 9th one of the stars of West End musical Zorro, Ramon Ruiz, will be showcasing his Flamenco guitar skills. Regular Brazilian samba groups and a new Argentine tango night complete a trio of enchanting musical genres that ably fill the large main room.
 
Just a castanet’s throw from the Odeon, Brighton Centre and beach and serving authentic food up to 1.30am, Latin Lounge, could be on the verge of filling a niche. They even serve breakfast, which might come in handy if on my next visit (as planned) I get rebellious and wash down my tapas with the intriguing ‘Che’s Revolution’ and need a pick-me-up the morning after.

By Sam Brodbeck
LATIN LOUNGE
14 West Street
Brighton, Sussex BN1 2RQ