The Crab and Lobster

Restaurant cum B&B The Crab And Lobster in Sidlesham near Chichester, is rapidly cultivating an enviable reputation thanks to its excellent seafood menu.

The fine dining restaurant – formerly a country pub – boasts a lovely garden terrace with views of Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve.

Inside, the cool flagstone floor, fireplace and unassuming, contemporary decor complements the rustic, 17th-century building.

On the menu you will find a range of fresh, locally caught fish and seafood, either simply grilled and served with seasonal veg and hand-cut chips, or transformed into something more adventurous – typically with a modern European flavour, such as a Mediterranean fish broth or cod and haddock fishcakes.

Within just ten weeks of opening, the restaurant has already earned itself an AA Rosette which, in such a short space of time says owner Sam Bakose, “is practically unheard of”.

Alongside the seafood, there is red meat for those who prefer it, with the likes of smoked rabbit and chorizo terrine to start, followed by grilled Sussex lamb cutlets with boulangere potatoes or juicy, chargrilled fillet of Sussex beef.

Despite the alternatives, as much as 70 per cent of Sunday customers are now opting for fish dishes over traditional roasts, and depending on the season, you can expect to find everything from mackerel and Dover sole to sea bass and Selsey crab.

Sam, who is originally from the Middle East but has been living in Chichester for 27 years, says, “I think it’s about time we had a quality fish restaurant in this area.”

“I think the British attitude towards seafood is changing,” he adds.

“People are travelling much more and are open to trying different fish.

I think that before we were happy to sell most of our stocks to Spain and France.

Now we are enjoying it ourselves.”

Sam eschews farmed fish “in any form”, not simply for ethical reasons.

He says it is a matter of taste.

“I can’t stand farmed fish.

If you look at the typical salmon you can buy in the supermarket, it’s revolting! It’s covered with grease because of over-feeding, designed to make it grow as fast as possible.”

Integral to the dining experience at The Crab And Lobster is the impressive wine list which offers a huge variety of wine from all over the world, by the glass as well as by the bottle.

Whether you opt for a light, chilled Pinot Noir with a fish dish or a more powerful one with your steak, staff are informed and happy to advise.

Sample the menu

Starters
Smoked rabbit and chorizo terrine with lemon aoli and wood-smoked red peppers, £7.50
Handmade crab and lobster ravioli tossed in virgin olive oil, £9
Seared king scallops wrapped in dry cured bacon with wilted spinach and anchovy dressing, £10.50
Mains
Fish and chips in a light beer batter served with handcut chips and mushy peas, £11.50
Natural smoked finnan haddock and cod Fishcakes with classic parsley sauce and fine green beans, £12.50
The crab and lobster fish stew – fish and shellfish braised in a Mediterranean fish broth and saffron potatoes, £16
Desserts
A warm chocolate brownie with coffee ice cream and chocolate sauce, £5.50
Fresh raspberry and natural Greek yoghurt on a ginger cranock crunch, £5.75
Sticky toffee pudding with clotted cream, £5.75

Open daily noon- 2.30pm and 6pm-9.30pm.