Ian Swainson launches Brighton venture Amarillo

Ian Swainson, former head chef at the Pass and the Samling, has launched a new Brighton venture called Amarillo.

The 30-cover restaurant concept is operating out of the Lost in the Lanes cafe on Nile Street on Friday and Saturday evenings in the first instance but Swainson said he aims to eventually expand to a permanent site.

The menu comprises a selection of pintxos and sharing plates that are influenced by a number of international cuisines, such as Spanish, Japanese and Italian.

Sample dishes include moutabal and chargrilled halloumi (£4); mackerel with wasabi, mango and avocado (£7.50); roasted lamb rump, black garlic and nettle puree (£14); and truffled scotch egg arancini, wild mushrooms and a truffle cream sauce (£9).

Commenting on the menu, Swainson told The Caterer: “I’m taking my fine-dining expertise in terms of techniques, flavour and ingredients and producing something that’s a little bit more accessible to the open market.

“We’ll be serving sharing plates featuring influences from around the world to create a social dining experience. There’ll be some classic dishes served with our own spin, such as a Spanish-inspired cuttlefish black rice with aioli and ink cracker.

“We’ve got a pintxos selection to kick off the menu, such as a taco dish featuring raw salmon belly marinated in white soy with avocado and sriracha mayonnaise. That’s a great example of our different influences. It’s playful cookery that’s executed really well.”