Modelo Lounge

Nice bar/​restaurant on Church road, belonging to the ‘Lounge’ family (there’s an Alcampo Lounge and a Verano Lounge in Brighton)
I initially thought this was a small local Brighton/​South East chain, but a quick look on their website tells me they have ‘Lounges’ all over the country! This was quite surprising as to me it doesn’t have a massive ‘chain’ feel.
The food is average, I’ve had some fabulous brunches here (chorizo hash with egg was divine) but some pretty mediocre sandwiches and burgers.
The staff have always been pretty cool. This isn’t a place I would frequent too often as it seems to be popular with ‘Hove Mum’s’ and their progeny, so often you’ll find yourself wanting to escape the noise of screaming children.

I went here for lunch recently and the food was pretty variable. It wasn’t too expensive as the tapas we ordered was about £8 each. However, the quality left a lot to be desired.
The chorizo was probably the best. Although there’s not much you can do wrong by cooking chorizo in wine.
The 5 spice pork was the next best. Nice tasty cut (probably shoulder or similar), fairly well cooked so it was falling apart. Sauce was nice (if not authentic) and very strong (although perhaps a tad too strong hoi sin flavour compared to the other dishes).
The falafels were pretty bog standard. There was nowhere near enough dip and no other condiments/​accompaniments.
The crayfish/​prawns was awful. The most bland chopped tomato sauce, massively overcooked, minuscule shellfish. Just pointless. No hint of chili whatsoever. Really terrible food.
The pork and thyme meatballs were similarly bland. A bit more hint of chili but barely discernible. No seasoning in the pork, massively overcooked, no flair whatsoever. This was literally mince and thyme rolled into balls and cooked without any thought or passion.
The halloumi was perhaps the biggest disappointment. Said it was pan-​fried but no hint of sear or maillard reaction. Swamped in plain pepper. Said it was with harissa but absolutely no harissa taste at all. Harissa was even spelled incorrectly on the menu! There is no excuse! But this is nowhere near the crime of somehow managing to mess up halloumi who would have thought it possible?
Overall, this place has plenty of flaws. But I don’t think many would have expected much, to be fair.

I love this place! I have only been here twice but twice in one week says its all :)
It is really spacious yet cozy all at once!
I visited here once for brunch where it had a very lively atmosphere and enjoyed steak with eggs and potatoes which i would say was a little above average! However other dishes served did look lovely, and my company seemed to enjoy their dishes. I think i perhaps wasn’t craving the steak as much as i thought ;) !
I then visited in the evening and enjoyed a hot cappuccino and played jenga! Yes they have a nice selection of games to which you can play whilst your enjoying food, wine or hot drinks! The ambiance in the evening is very much relaxed, you cold visit with friends or as a couple for a romantic drink out!
Overall it is a lovely quirky café/​bar lounge with great staff and a lovely atmosphere i shall becoming a regular here!

Came here with a few friends for a girls brunch. The vegetarian breakfast was good — they accommodated my request for poached instead of fried eggs and also brown toast. However, one of my friends who is gluten intolerant wasn’t so lucky.
But the service was really good and the breakfast was tasty. So I’d probably go back if someone suggested. My meat eating friends liked their dishes including the steak and eggs and the salmon eggs Benedict.
Also, I saw LOADS of people eating hamburgers so maybe that’s something to consider when dining here.