Food Review: The Geese

This summer I’ve made The Level my go-to sunning spot. This has lead to a fair bit of exploring the surrounding streets (pubs) and landmarks (shops), which I’m really glad I have taken the time to do.

Brighton & Hove is improved and characterised by independent and locally owned businesses. It makes such a difference to walk in to a place that is lovingly built up over time by its owners – bars decorated with photos of the team and stickers they’ve accumulated add to the authenticity of the experience. This is The Geese on Southover Street down to a T.

Hearing of the swanky bangers and mash being served up; I headed over with a companion of mine for the evening.

Greeted by Mark – one of the managers – we chat away about the choices available to us. Fancying a drink before we begin our meal, we grab a pint each (they have a variety of popular ales) and relax in the sunshine. Finishing these, we head to our table in the middle of the pub floor.

The large windows bring the outside in, and feeling as though we’re on holiday, we turn our attention to the extensive range of sausages and mash. I choose the wine for our meal – a bottle of the house white – a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

We have a gander (sorry) at the menus mounted on the wall – it’s almost like a pick ‘n’ mix, as customers are encouraged to assemble their own dish. Fortunately for indecisive punters such as myself, the staff are highly knowledgeable and on-hand to recommend flavour combinations. After a considerable amount of bickering over who’s having what, we eventually decide.

I go for the rich and fresh tasting wild boar sausages, garlic and herb mash and meaty gravy. As I tuck into the beautifully presented pub classic, I note the perfect crispness of the sausage’s skin, so nicely complimented by the tenderness of the inside. My mash proves to be on point too, as the flavours are present but not overpowering. The carb-y component is lifted with an exciting twist as I’m surprised by crunchy spring onions hidden within. The rich, thick gravy finishes off the meal for me, bringing all of the flavours together in mouthfuls of palate-pleasing bliss.

My companion opts for the venison – rich, gamey and exquisite! With horseradish/chive mash and red wine gravy, his meal is an eclectic melody of fine flavours.

Sitting back and enjoying the feeling of a full stomach, we enjoy the playlist that’s had us grooving since we entered. After a short break we give in to a sweet treat that we share – a banoffee sundae. Layered up with fresh bananas, this decadent dessert tops off our evening in style and gets people flocking in from all over the city.

The Geese, 16 Southover Street, Brighton, BN2 9UA

www.thegeese.co.uk
www.facebook.com/thegeesesouthover
@geesebrighton

Words by Freya Hughes