About the Southern Belle
The Southern Belle is a restaurant, bar and hotel, situated in a beautiful building, close to the sea in Hove. Although I’d walked past it countless times, I recently visited for the first time, on a rare night off from parenthood.
With the babysitters in, my wife and I ventured out in the rain and had a drink at the Paris House. By the time we reached the Southern Belle, the night was approaching a tipping point, where both of us wanted to get drunk. The Southern Belle was fairly busy and my wife took a table whilst I ordered drinks at the bar. Feeling the rumble of hunger, I searched the back bar for crisps or snacks but didn’t see any. Thankfully, the Southern Belle served sausage rolls, although I was to discover that the snack was far more meat than pastry.
Address
The Southern Belle, 3 Waterloo St, Hove BN3 1AQ
1. Appearance
Did the sausage roll look appetising? Was it lovingly displayed in the shop window?
The sausage rolls were almost hidden at the end of the bar. I didn’t see them at first, as the room was dimly lit.
5/10
2. Price
How much did you pay for it? Was it good value for money?
A gin soda, a small glass of wine and a sausage roll came to £12.80, so I believe the sausage roll cost around £4. That felt reasonable, especially when I saw the size of the snack.
7/10
3. Packaging
Was it carefully wrapped? Did it arrive home intact?
It was brought over to me on a small plate with a knife and fork. Interestingly, I was also given a bottle of ketchup instead of mustard.
6/10
4. Weight
Did it have a satisfying weight? Was it reassuringly dense?
This was a beast; both dense and squat.
8/10
5. Warmth
Was it warm and ready to eat or cold on arrival?
The roll wasn’t warmed and it would really have benefitted.
2/10
6. Pastry
Was it buttery and flaky? Did it hold together?
The pastry was perfectly passable but the proportions were off. This was more meat than roll.
6/10
7. Quality of meat or filling
Was the filling substantial or did you mainly chew air?
The filling was exceptionally meaty and took some chewing. I needed the sauce to get it down.
7/10
8. Flavour
Was the sausage roll delicious and well-seasoned?
The flavour was fine and I liked the sesame seeds on top, always a nice addition.
6/10
9. Satisfaction
Were you left satisfied or wanting more?
I was left feeling very full and this was a problem as we had to dash home in the rain.
6/10
10. Bonus Points
Did anything warrant bonus points? Eg. a little pot of mustard or friendly service from the staff?
Bonus points for serving them in the first place, more pubs and bars should sell pastry.
7/10
sAUSAGE ROLL RATING
60/100
Sausage roll leaderboard
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