Harden's says
The former lockdown pop-up and now permanent seaside sibling to Soho's esteemed L'Escargot.
Harden's survey result
Summary
With its “great fish dishes – we had a whole brill for two served at the table with chips and hollandaise sauce, which was… ’bril’ (geddit?)” – this yearling from George Pell, formerly of L’Escargot in Soho, “has ambitions to be the new east coast superstar. Another year will tell whether they have made it”. Locally born head chef Tom Payne, 25, certainly made a good start, mightily impressing Observer critic Jay Rayner a week after his promotion to run the kitchen, with a ‘menu that is certain of its mission’. It’s certainly “a welcome addition locally – a treat”, and the “nice new bedrooms” and “well-made cocktails are a plus”. (It’s one of the few good legacies from Covid, as the team from L’Escargot shifted here during the pandemic).
Summary
George Pell’s August 2022 newcomer (converted from a former pub) started life as ‘L’Escargot Sur-Mer’ – a transplant of the Soho landmark he co-owns necessitated by Covid-19. It incorporates a 60-cover restaurant now named just ‘Sur-Mer’, a rooftop terrace complete with sea views, wine bar, private dining rooms and bedrooms. Chef James May only joined in March 2022, so the ratings we use (from its previous pop-up incarnation) must be guidelines only. Fans expect a continuation of the “great locally caught fish and shellfish, cooked in a great French style from a good bistro-type menu and wine list”.
Summary
“A terrific addition to the food scene in Aldeburgh”, this August 2020 pop-up – a transplant of Soho’s famous French veteran to provide employment for his team during lockdown – was such a smash hit that co-owner George Pell has now made it permanent. Albeit “rather expensive for the area”, and with “rather too authentically Parisian service”, it wins fine praise for its “good balance of almost fine dining and produce straight from the sea”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Suffolk (fka L'Escargot sur Mer)?
152 High Street, Aldeburgh, IP15 5AQ
The Suffolk (fka L'Escargot sur Mer) Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Mostly great Arrived and got a friendly greeting. Sat at my table and ordered my food from the menu, which isn't the longest but enough choice. Starter was escargot with the pastis flame, absolutely delicious and helped by more bread for mopping up! Main was a slightly odd skate wing, Indian spiced. The green vegetables were ok, but sadly prep was poor and washing was inadequate so they still had grit in! Dessert was a chocolate mousse, nice flavours, undramatic texture and overall experience. Toilets clean. Staff efficient and organised if small delays clearing plates and serving next course. Minor issue only. Needs tweak to get to next level. Ps nice Kombucha cocktail. "
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £26.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £0.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £0.00 |
| Service | 10.00% |
152 High Street, Aldeburgh, IP15 5AQ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑2:30 am |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑2:30 am |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑2:30 am |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑2:30 am |
| Sunday | 12 pm‑2:30 pm, 6 pm‑2:30 am |
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