On 29 Aug 2017 at 1:35pm Aardvark wrote:
I want to take my gorgeous other half out for a meal on Friday evening. Problem is I'm on a bit of a budget! Any suggestions? If the weather's good I'd like to sit outside but the nicest eating terrace is at the White Hart and that's a definite no-no for obvious reasons. The roof terrace at the Rights of Man is nice but I've not tried the food. So, suggestions of decent outdoor and indoor (in case it's raining) recommendations please! Thanks all.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 2:21pm Deja Vu wrote:
The snowdrop is quite good, because of the way upstairs is laid out you actually get a reasonable amount of privacy to chat. But it's a bit pricey (where in Lewes isn't), you're looking at £70 for a meal for 2 with drinks.
Not really sure where is Lewes is less than this, I always seem to end up dumping £70+ on a meal for two with a bottle of wine in Lewes.
Plan B, get a takeaway and go sit in one of the parks (we pay enough to maintain them, may as well make the most of them).
Obviously not suitable for all food, but perfect for a burger or Kebab 
On 29 Aug 2017 at 2:34pm ClarifiedButler wrote:
Basically forget it, you won't find a decent affordable meal in Lewes at the moment.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 2:50pm Lance wrote:
Aqua is the real deal.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 2:57pm @Lance wrote:
There's nothing romantic about Aqua though is there, the layout is devised for the maximum amount of seating rather than customer comfort.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 3:16pm Grunge wrote:
The Brewers is good value, and their back room has space, though maybe not the most romantic setting.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 3:16pm Huh? wrote:
Picnic by the river?
On 29 Aug 2017 at 3:35pm Jennifer wrote:
For all this sleepy town's reputation among friends of ours who wish to invest in property here, as we have done successfully, little Lewes's restaurants are inexplicably lacking in star quality. I have tried spending my money in your town but have been sickened as a result. I have been given the wrong cutlery, the incorrect style of glass, a jus that I believe had been stored too long, only basic menus, and I experienced a member of serving staff (not a waiter — there is NO-ONE with London training here) who did not know her wine list and who thought my guest and I might find her ignorance amusing. Lewes's food service is a laughing stock in our family. We are glad to be in London most weeks.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 4:31pm Shirley wrote:
I had a nice meal recently in the garden of The Cock at Ringmer.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 4:38pm Eater wrote:
Erewan is fun, might not be romantic enough though. Snowdrop is good, but again it will be busy. Pelham is very good and if you get the right table you can have a nice evening. Make sure you book.
And, sorry - can't resist - Jennifer- what a lot of effort just to look like a trolling idiot,
On 29 Aug 2017 at 4:45pm CtrlAltDel wrote:
Eater, sure, because standards aren't at all relative, are they.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 4:49pm Happy eater wrote:
Not sure how you manage to spend £70 in the Snowdrop, I go there fairly regularly and never get close to that.
Lime Tree Kitchen is the best bet for a romantic tete a tete but ring first, there aren't maby tables in there.
Avoid Pelham House like the plague, they have zero consistency of staff or cooking, one visit will be ok, the next disasterous, it's just not worth the risk.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 5:09pm Phil I Stein wrote:
Yes, in Lewes we have yet to learn about such fineries as cutlery, and tend to prefer eating with our hands - we may even wash them if it's a special meal. There is nothing more romantic than sharing handfuls of bark and grubs washed down with some still 'Pells' water in one of the more up market hovels about town. But then, at least we are not so far up our own backsides that it is uncomfortable to sit down!
On 29 Aug 2017 at 5:26pm @Happy eater wrote:
Easily, £20 for a bottle of Riesling, 2 starters (£10 each), 2 mains £15 each = £70, more if we're having a desert.
If you go there that often you should know this 
On 29 Aug 2017 at 6:10pm Ray Blanc wrote:
Forget it. Nowhere in Lewes. Go to Brighton Marina Waterfront where you are spoilt for choice. Easy parking too.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 6:11pm LouOfLewes wrote:
2 starters @ £10 each? Streuth.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 6:30pm Clifford wrote:
Jennifer is an adornment to this Forum. She should be invited to contribute a regular column.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 9:35pm Grungey wrote:
The Crown Inn would have been perfect!! Such a shame its closed
They did awesome dinners at great prices,
On 29 Aug 2017 at 9:54pm Le Magazin wrote:
Not sure why Le Magazin has not been mentioned! The food, ambience & staff are excellent!
On 29 Aug 2017 at 10:02pm Al Acarte wrote:
If you can possibly postpone your date till the 4th September, you might bag a bargain when Cote in the high street opens for the first time. I should imagine they'll have plenty of offers on just to try and tempt punters away from other establishments in the town. On the other hand, it might be a bit chaotic as they suffer from teething troubles and a packed house all baying to be served at once.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 10:11pm Dreamer wrote:
Swan... Great food, inside is a bit 'cozy', but if the weather is good, the garden is fantastic.
On 29 Aug 2017 at 11:09pm doo wrote:
The bench oppsite the landsdown is always busy of a evening .fine wine ...well specal brew and Crack cocaine
On 30 Aug 2017 at 12:27am Malling7 wrote:
£10 for a starter? I think someone is exaggerating
On 30 Aug 2017 at 10:20am @Malling7 wrote:
it's £6 to £8 for a starter in there.
Mains are £13 to £17
Desert are around £6
So starters, mains and a bottle of plonk = £64 (taking an average price), plus tip £70.
Chuck in deserts and it's well over £70 (£76 excluding any tip), so actually no exaggeration at all.
As the OP said "Problem is I'm on a bit of a budget!", it's best to point out that you will need to plan on spending £70 to avoid an embarrassing end to the evening when you can't afford the bill.
On 30 Aug 2017 at 11:15am Everyone's exaggerating! wrote:
It seem's everyone's exaggerating the cost of food in the Snowdrop. Not a single starter over £6.
Mains are £11.50 to £14.50
Check it out here »
On 30 Aug 2017 at 11:28am @Everyone wrote:
I went last night, the starters went up to £8.
You are aware the menu isn't fixed and changes regularly right?
Laughton steak was £17 last night, so it seems the price list on the website is very out of date.
On 30 Aug 2017 at 11:51am Tarik Torgaddon wrote:
I find at the Snowy the main course portions are more than enough food for one meal, I've never felt the need for a starter there.
The food at the Dorset is pretty cheap and cheerful and they've got a new menu kicking in soon. Cote opens next week and all the staff have spent a month training at the Brighton branch so should be relatively smooth. The Ely does great food although it's not exactly a romantic venue unless your date is a fan of televised sport.
On 30 Aug 2017 at 11:54am Steak n' Chips wrote:
The Pelham Arms used to be my favourite, but the prices have gone up and the menu has gone downhill - unless you like burgers that raise your cholesterol by three points. New management, I think.
On 30 Aug 2017 at 12:35pm Horseman7 wrote:
Assuming that summer will be returning after today's inclemency, I would consider fish and chips on the riverbank, washed down with a bottle of rose elderflower, most congenial.
Are you planning on popping some sort of question OP? If so, all the best.
On 30 Aug 2017 at 5:05pm mavis wrote:
£8 for a starter plus 10% service is almost £ 10 to me !! Not worth arguing over gentlemen.
On 31 Aug 2017 at 2:37am Shirley wrote:
Horseman's idea would woo me the most.
On 31 Aug 2017 at 5:54pm romantic lady wrote:
Le Magasin has candles, nice food and a nice atmosphere - I think they do set menus as well? Food at the rights of Man is really nice so that's worth a go and you have the upstairs view (as you mentioned). Not very conducive to eating, but I think the tiny booths at the front of ROM are pretty romantic too Food at The Swan is also great and the pub has character to it.
Otherwise, and if the weather holds, definitely Horseman's idea. Get some nice picnic bits, cheese, and a bottle from waitrose (or the deli and cheese please) and find somewhere nice. The Priory would be a nice picnic spot.
Failing all that, go to Brighton, 15 mins away and much more choice for the romantic diner.