If you’ve visited Churchill Square you will know of the Western Front. It’s the boxy, cream coloured pub on the East side sporting a giant owl mural. So far, so Brighton. Perhaps, like me, you had walked past it many a time but not yet ventured in. It was time to check it out.
The two floors are busy and buzzing, with eclectic decor: pound shop candelabra, cabinets full of lost and found items and even the odd flamingo. So far, still so Brighton! If it’s sunny you could choose to sit outside amongst passing shoppers on the street. We took to the second floor where the walls are adorned with photos and paintings of film and music iconography.
From here we can look through giant windows down to the hustle and bustle of the square, perfect for people watching in high volume. Friendly staff serve us at the table and explain that as well as the regular menu there is also a pie, steak or soup of the week to choose from, which of course changes on a regular basis. The menu itself consists of burgers, sandwiches and conventional pub grub classics such as sausage and mash or fish and chips, plus some attractive looking sharing platters. There are also kids options and brownies, waffles and cheesecake for dessert.
My dining buddy opts for the chorizo and halloumi salad (£9) thinking it will be the ‘healthy option’. But on arrival it was presented, absolutely stacked with potato wedges so perhaps not the light bite she was looking for. This is not the place to come if you are looking for a healthy option as there isn’t one. It was tasty nonetheless and a generous portion, as is my meal.
Chorizo and Halloumi salad at Western Front, Brighton.
I go for the locally sourced 8oz rib eye steak with chips, eggs and salad (market price). The steak hides beneath two fried eggs on an already very full plate. Surely a bigger plate was required here?
Digging around to cut into my steak was quite annoying. I was disappointed to find that it was well done rather than the medium rare that I asked for and without a steak knife it was quite tough to cut through. The salad is standard fare of lettuce, tomato cucumber and onions with a light dressing. This sits beside a pile of run-of-the-mill skinny fries.
Rib-eye steak at Western Front.
All in all, it’s pretty standard pub grub but with so much competition in Brighton, Western Front seemed mediocre in comparison to more exciting venues that cost about the same and are within the local vicinity. The menu also has a feel of being a bit of a mish-mash, kind of like the decor.
The Western Front will never be short of clientele being based where it is with so much footfall. With a busy atmosphere and lots of options and offers on drinks, plus DJs and live bands, I imagine this is a good place to come for a pint and a people watch or a night out. The food and general presentation would need more attention to detail for them to up their game and bring the Western Front into real competition with other Brighton eateries.
Western Front, 11 Cranbourne Street, Brighton, BN1 2RD
Laura’s meal was complimentary, courtesy of Western Front and Drink In Brighton.
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