OUR STORY
It all started when…
Paul and Sam met in the 90s while working at the lauded Brighton restaurant Terre a Terre. Many more years within the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants and hotels, front-of-house and management roles followed. Then full circle, once again teaming up to manage a new Sussex hotel, during these full-on years they started to discuss and plan the blueprint for Fourth and Church.
The conversations were always about the excitement of standing in the noisy bars of Sevilla and Jerez, devouring delicious plates of aged Jamon, comforting stews and unctuous pig cheeks alongside many a glass of chilled fino or the hours spent post-shift in some of New York’s late-night chef hangouts consuming exceptional no-frills food, wine and cocktails. Then there were the lazy lunchtimes around a rickety table in the villages and vineyards of Europe or further afield where the simplicity of the ingredients took centre stage. The vegetables from a sun-soaked garden, local seasonal delicacies such as the freshest of grassy mountain cheese, peppery olive oil from Toledo or regional treasures such as Kokotxas with a punchy green sauce on a terrace perched high on the cliffs in Basque Spain.
Then the restaurants they loved, a common thread, always simplicity, even though these places were far from ever simple! The excitement and anticipation pre-arrival, anticipating the sense of adventure of what was on its way via the menu, chalkboard or simply pointing out what they could see others enjoying. They loved the idea of creating a place of their own that would offer an understated experience in an informal comfortable setting, delivering a glass of something exceptional with a plate or two that punched big flavours, and most importantly a desire to bring some of these more unusual flavours, that they had grown to love to a wider audience.
With all of this experience, and endless enthusiasm but with limited financial resources they took a punt on a site in Hove to start their journey. The site had potential but had its own set of challenges, Church Road was not a hot spot for eating in 2015, but it had that neighbourhood feel they were looking for. Since the opening, many changes have taken place including a radical re-fit in 2019, but always pursuing the refinement of their original vision. A comfortable, welcoming space to enjoy a glass of something new, a plate or two of seasonal delights or a thoughtfully curated multi-course menu, supported by a friendly informed team.
No. 84 is located in a block where Fourth Avenue meets Church Road, now known as Fourth and Church. Now sitting comfortably in a stretch of road that has slowly become an exciting hub of independent restaurants and bars outside the boundaries of central Brighton. They all offer a diverse choice of drinking and dining experiences, a real community within a community that they feel immensely privileged and proud to be part of.