Our lovely neighbours at the Half Moon hotel have finally re-opened after an

extensive year-long renovation, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait!

On the 1^st of March, Alison and I were lucky enough to be invited the guest list only Grand Opening of the Half Moon Hotel. In attendance were all of the who’s who in Brighton, not naming any names, and us! We were wined and dined, literally, with beautiful cocktails, wine and bubbly, as well as gourmet finger food! Yum!

Lychee Martini's

The venue itself is beautiful, boasting six new drinking and dining spaces over 2 levels, the mix of indoor and outdoor areas are all interconnected by a stunning new timber staircase and an open walkway. The front open area is perfect for a relaxing drink or casual meal, while the indoor dining room provides a relaxed environment to enjoy their fantastic pub food.  Next to the main restaurant is the Molina Room, a private dining seating 12 people, is perfect for your intimate dinners or functions, or can also be used to corporate presentations!

Upstairs is the ultra-cool cocktail bar with adjoining balcony looking out over Church St, where we were treated                                          to these tasty beauties!

So far, Brighton’s favourite pub, has been exceedingly popular for old and young alike, for breakfast, lunch and dinner, or casual drink any night of the week! I highly recommend you all visit – and tell them Caroline sent you!

To cool off in the sweltering heat we all love a beer on the beach but why not try this deliciously refreshing salad and cocktail for a change. 

Watermelon and Feta Salad

¼ of a watermelon chopped into bite size chunks

150 grms of salty feta

A handful of pitted kalamatta olives

1/2 a red onion thinly sliced into half moons

Fresh mint chopped

Juice of one lime

Extra virgin olive oil

Put watermelon on a large plate squeeze lime juice over, crumble the feta over and dot with olives mint and onion and drizzle with olive oil. For a different version and extra bite add thinly sliced radishes (in season in January) instead of red onion and scatter over the top.

Mojito

High ball glass

45ml white rum

½ lime cut into wedges

1 tbs brown sugar

8 mint leaves

Soda Water to fill glass

Ice

Place mint limes and sugar in the bottom of a glass and with a muddle stick if you have one or rolling pin, muddle the ingredients squeezing all the juice from the limes. Then fill the glass almost to the top with ice pour the rum over the ice and top up with soda. This drink takes me right back to the beach in Barcelona….Heavenly refreshing!