AMELIE and Friends was launched in 2010 in Chichester. Housed in a beautiful townhouse in Chichester’s historic town centre, its simple yet modern interior creates a relaxing informal atmosphere. For those interested in Chichester’s history; the building is famed with housing the country’s oldest wine merchant dating from 1780.

Whether you are looking for breakfast, a healthy lunch, early evening dinner or just a cake and cuppa I think you will enjoy this restaurant. The salad choices are interesting and full of flavour, the pastries are hard to resist and the bread is freshly baked on the premises.

We visited the restaurant early on a Saturday evening; though a little empty the restaurant felt welcoming and the staff attentive and friendly.

After showing us to our table the staff left us to puzzle over the extensive and unusually exciting menu. Instead of the usual starter, main, dessert format the menu presented us with a choice of “From the Counter” and “From the Kitchen” dishes allowing flexibility for those who would prefer a smaller main course. We decided on a tantalising combination of Carpaccio of beef, watercress and celeriac remoulade and griddled smoked salmon with beetroot, boiled egg and honey mustard dressing for the starter. For the main course we chose Pan-fried Foie Gras, Duck Egg, Fennel Chutney And Homemade toasted Brioche and Pan-fried Onglet steak with French Fries, roasted tomatoes, marinated mushrooms, sourdough onion rings & Béarnaise.

And for dessert, a very generous and delicious selection of cheeses served with homemade chutney, bread and biscuits.

The food was of an excellent standard, the novel menu was interesting, exciting and very different from what one would usually expect and the waiting staff were helpful attentive and friendly; this all made for a very pleasant evening.

One piece of advice would be to ask the waiting staff for some help on choosing from the unconventional menu to ensure you don’t over or under order with the numerous small dishes on offer.

Amelie and Friends,
31 North Street,
Chichester.
01243 771 444
amelieandfriends.com.