The famous Donatello Italian restaurant is a stable of Brighton’s Lanes. Since its opening in 1991, it has been a must visit for any Brightonian over the years. Boasting star customers such as Patrick Stewart, Jeremy Corbyn, and lots more. It is loved by many.
As a student at the University of Brighton, I’m always looking for somewhere to eat that is within my meagre budget but still a treat for me and friends. I need somewhere to take my mum and dad when they come and visit – that isn’t my local McDonald’s.
On Thursday night we were welcomed by friendly staff into a relaxed and homely feeling restaurant. Placed on a table in the front window, we watched as people wandered in the evening through The Lanes. We agreed on ordering a bottle of house red with four glasses from their award-winning wine menu, while we browsed the menu.
Donatello has a traditional and long Italian menu with a variety of pizza, pasta and meat dishes. All the dishes are listed in authentic Italian, with descriptions in English below. The plates are all reasonably priced, while meat meals costing just a little bit more. However, they also offer a set menu with two courses for £10.95, or three courses for £12.95. This is perfect for an evening meal out for you and your friends while studying.
I
decided on ordering the Nepoletana pizza (£8.25), while my friends ordered a Carbonara (£8.25), a Rigatoni Norma (£8.25), and a Capricciossa pizza (£8.75). And of course, we had a piece of garlic bread each (£3.95). We didn’t have to wait long before the food came out to our table. The food looked lovely with giant sized pizzas and large plates of pasta.
We were all thoroughly enjoying our dishes, before I finally had to admit defeat with my pizza – having just a slice or two left. You get plenty of food considering what you’ve paid. They even offered to wrap up the rest of my food for me to take home with me and enjoy later.
After they cleared the table, we were presented with the dessert menu and it would have been rude not to have a quick look. We decided on sharing a classic Tiramisu with four forks, which was listed as Donatello’s speciality. It came to the table drizzled with chocolate sauce and next to a mound of cream with a strawberry on top. It didn’t take long before we dived into this rich coffee flavoured desert.
The desert was just enough to finish the lovely meal and send us away feeling satisfied and comfortably fed. It is the perfect place to go with friends when you want to treat yourself, celebrate, or go for dinner with family.
Donatello is at Brighton Place in the centre of The Lanes and opens daily 11:30am-11pm. They also offer a 20% discount for student Christmas parties!
