Boasting a spectacular medieval wood-fire cage in the middle of the restaurant floor, Embers promises to set the Brighton food scene on fire – literally – when it opens on Meeting House Lane on April 5th.
The brainchild of two of the city’s most exciting young chefs, Isaac Bartlett-Copeland (Chef Patron, Isaac At) and Dave Marrow (Terre à Terre), the ancestral-inspired cooking process sees the pair harness the raw power of naked flame across their entire menu.
“It’s always been our dream to open a restaurant together,” Bartlett-Copeland said, “and I’m so excited that this dream has finally been realised. We want Embers to be about big, bold flavours and to be the sort of restaurant we’d want to go to on our days off – it’s all about fire and friendship!”
He might want to add “food” to that final statement, because the menu highlights released in the official announcement should have foodies flocking to the restaurant like starved moths to a fat-fuelled flame.
Mouth-watering meat dishes like glazed lamb ribs, candied ginger, kimchi and furikake, and wagyu Denver steak, Roscoff onion and coffee hollandaise sit alongside equally as tantalising vegetarian fare: miso celeriac, koji soaked engiri, fresh spring truffle, pickled sea vegetables and mushroom XO, or shiitake & cashew larb, bitter herbs and charred hispi cabbage.
If that doesn’t have you licking the screen in anticipation, dessert highlights include banana split with parsnip & rosemary ice cream, toffee sauce and praline, or cheese on toast with truffle and parmesan should do the trick.
As much emphasis has been placed on Embers’ extensive drinks menu as it has on the food. Classic cocktails feature alongside a list of well-made serves, all chosen to showcase smoky flavours and fiery character in line with the restaurant’s overall personality. Highlighted are the Smoking Sazerac, with flavours of cognac, whiskey and bitters, playfully served with a bubble of smoke aromas; and the Flaming Zombie, a unique concoction of rum, orange juice and Velvet Falernum, served up with the miniscule drama of a flaming sugar cube.
That the menu delivers such flavour and creativity is no surprise when considering the calibre of both chefs responsible for it. At just 21 Bartlett-Copeland opened the critically acclaimed Double AA Rosette-winning Isaac At, was shortlisted for The Caterer’s Young Entrepreneur Award, and won Brighton Food Hero 2017. Marrow has worked at some of Sussex’s most prominent hotel restaurants including The Dining Room at Deans Place Hotel, The Middle House Mayfield Hotel, and The Grand Hotel, where he mentored Bartlett-Copeland. However it’s as Head Chef at Brighton’s iconic Terre à Terre where Marrow has left a truly prolific mark.
As they bring their classical training to the joint pass for Embers, the pair aim to satiate the appetites of the city’s celebrated food scene and establish a new legacy between them. Exciting times for Brighton and yet another amazing menu to add to our wealth of epicurean delights. Nom nom!
Embers opens to the public on April 5th at Meeting House Lane, Brighton.
Follow their journey on Instagram here.
Photos by Gill Copeland
