What a superb evening with good food, good wine and a vibrant evening of conversation. This was a new Winter Pride event supported by the Seattle Hotel, Seaspray Hotel, Gscene, Cardome, Pride and The Latest. The new initiative was staged by Herve & Stephane and their efficient staff at the New Steine Hotel with admirable assistance from Henry Butler of the Butlers Wine Cellar, at 247 Queen's Park Road, Brighton BN2 9XJ.

We assembled at 8pm being offered a local Ditchling sparkling white wine. Three tables of 8 laid out in the function room, below stairs, set the scene for an evening of informed commentary on the wine and food with Andrew admitting to swallowing (at wine tastings of course !!), James ‘that he doesn't do detail or read the small print (umm) …..and Herve that ... but we won't go there.

The £25 set menu was based on predominantly locally sourced produce with

A glass of Ridgeview Sparkling wine on arrival

Salade Landaise with homemade Fois Gras, smoked Duck Slices and Gesiers Confit.

Guinea Fowl served with braised Savoy cabbage lardoons and cider jus.

Crème Brulee

Espresso or Cappuccino Coffee

£25.00 per person inclusive of Food, Wine, VAT & Service with £10.00 being donated to Winter Pride and £5.00 going to The LGBT Switchboard

The Duck and Foie Gras on a bed of leaves was absolutely wonderful, (ok the foie gras was from across the channel). The leg of Guinea Fowl with Savoy cabbage was a nice balance, simple yet substantial, finishing off with the restaurant's ‘signature' dish, their Crème Brulee, sadly not in the usual soup bowl !! Each course being accompanied by a wine chosen by Henry.

First off a sparkling white, Ridgeview Bloomsbury Brut 2006 (Sussex) from just north of Ditchling retailing at approx £20 a bottle, not cheap when compared with ordinary whites but what did you pay for your last bottle of Champagne ??

To accompany the starter, a white from Alsace, Turckheim Reserve Pinot Gris 2006 (retailing at £10). With the main course we were treated to a smooth light red (retailing at £8 from the south west of France in the Languedoc) finishing off with a beautifully delicate slightly apricot sweet white, Vigneau Chevreau Vouvray Moelleux 2005 to accompany the dessert (retailing at £11 from the Loire).

An evening of simple but substantial food elegantly served in the Hotel's basement function room which doubles as a Business Centre. The wines were chosen specially for the evening and well accompanied the dishes served. It was a real winner and I trust that the initiative can be given a chance to develop with quarterly seasonal sittings.

Hopefully we'll be informed of forthcoming events, aiming at one for each season for May/June, September and November. Keep an eye out for a press release OR

If you would like to be involved and receive further information you can contact

Herve or Stephane at the New Steine Hotel reservation@newsteinehotel.com OR

for more information on Butlers wines go to http://www.butlers-winecellar.co.uk