'This menu is a love letter to British autumn'

Etch’s latest tasting menu is a love letter to British autumn, championing seasonal produce and delighting tastebuds. I headed to the award-winning restaurant in Church Road, Hove, with my partner to try out the autumn/winter menu. Etch is MasterChef: The Professionals winner Steven Edwards’ flagship restaurant.

Inside Ink (Image: The Argus) We were first taken down to Ink, Etch’s underground cocktail bar, to wait until our table was ready. I opted for the black forest negroni, a delicious twist on the classic which was smooth and had a wonderful chocolate taste that lingered on my taste buds well after taking a sip. The cocktails were a treat (Image: The Argus) My partner ordered the sweet figgy pop which he simply described as being “mmmm hmmm”.



After an enjoyable and relaxing period in the bar we were taken up to the restaurant. Read more: MasterChef winner's restaurant scoops two awards The room exuded calm with staff (who are extremely knowledgeable and friendly) seamlessly serving tables and the kitchen team, who you could watch creating the artful morsels, were completely composed throughout, no loud noises, no raised voices, no stress. Etch really can be for any occasion.

There were customers dressed up for a special celebration while others were dressed more casually in jeans and trainers, out simply to enjoy some good food. Our first dish, the mushroom tart and cheese biscuit, was one of my favourites of the night. Intense flavours of the cheese and onion with the biscuit and the earthy taste of the mushroom in the tart was incredible.

The tart had a very satisfying texture – a crunchy case with the softer mushroom filling in the centre and a sprinkling of truffle on top. Even my mushroom hating partner was won over. The mushroom tart and cheese biscuit (Image: The Argus) Next up was Edwards’ signature marmite bread with seaweed butter.

The marmite was subtle and the warm homely bread, which looked like a little mushroom, was lovely combined with the slightly salty butter. The marmite bread (Image: The Argus) More mushroom, there was certainly a seasonal theme, came with the artichoke soup which was accompanied for me by a beef pastry parcel. The soup was rich and creamy and nicely topped with the crunchy mushrooms.

The soup was moreish (Image: The Argus) I would have ordered a vat of the nectar like soup and slurped it all down it was so good. Another wonderful combination came in the form of the butter roasted monkfish, soft, smokey and lemony, with delicate pumpkin and crispy sage. The monkfish was superb (Image: The Argus) Then came the dippy egg with ham and a brioche finger (to dunk in the egg’s jaminess).

The mouthwatering smell of the ham reached me before the dish did from the kitchen. When it arrived at the table it did not disappoint. It was the most delicious runny egg accompanied with the salty ham and crunchy brioche.

My favourite course followed, the venison saddle with walnut ketchup and BBQ parsnips. The venison was my favourite (Image: The Argus) The venison was medium rare, succulent and melt in the mouth. I would have happily ended the evening there but dessert followed.

The set crème fraiche with mandarin sorbet, marigold and shortbread, was, as I’m not a fan of orange desserts, my least favourite course. It was beautifully presented though and my partner really enjoyed its tangy flavours. I wasn't a fan of the set crème fraiche with mandarin sorbet (Image: The Argus) All courses were washed down with Nyetimber’s classic cuvée.

The English sparkling wine complimented each course and was very easy to drink. We left the restaurant satisfied and not too full, servings were the perfect size and each course a treat for the senses. Edwards with his carefully curated tasting menu gives food lovers the chance to enjoy a fine dining experience for a more attainable price.

Wine and five courses will set you back £75 and if you’re feeling a bit more peckish then you can choose the wine and seven course option for £100. A soft drink and five courses costs £35 while a soft drink and seven courses costs £45. The autumn/winter menu is available until January 4.

A new winter menu will come into effect from January 8..