IN THE LANES

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What are you opening times?

Our opening times are 12-10pm Sunday-Friday and 11.30-10.30 on Saturdays.

How do I get a table at The Lanes?

The Lanes’ restaurant operates only on walk-ins and via n online waitlist which can be joined above. The waitlist shows you the time for the next available table and cannot be joined in the morning for the evening. If the Lanes is full, the manager on shift will add you to a waitlist and you will receive a text when your table is ready, meaning you can explore the local area.

Can I book a separate/specific table?

Our restaurant ethos is based around communal dining with shared tables to mimic and old-fashioned New York oyster bar. Whilst we have a bench along the back and one table in the window, these cannot be guaranteed or requested.

Can I book a low table?

All of our Lanes’ seating is high, fixed tables with stool. We do not have any low tables and chairs. 

Can I sit in a quiet area of the restaurant?

Due to our communal tables and restaurant layout we do not have any “quiet” areas, we love the buzz of The Lanes.

Can I make a booking for outside?

We do not taking bookings for our outside seating area due to the unpredictable British weather. Our bench operates on a first-come first-serve basis. It does have a canopy to protect from rain on wetter days. 

Can you accommodate tables over 6?

During our summer season we do not take any tables over 6. Off-season, larger tables are by managers discretion on the day.

Do you accommodate private/exclusive hires?

Yes, we do accommodate exclusive hires, corporate or personal. Please get in touch via email at info@riddleandfinns.co.uk. Hires are priced for each individual request.

Is there disabled access?

Our Lanes restaurant has a small step at the entrance as well as into the toilets. We have a ramp to assist with any wheelchair access- please ask a member of staff if you need assistance. We have a disabled toilet as well. Whilst we understand the high tables may not always be appropriate, we will do our best to assist with any disabilities. Please give us a call on 01273 821 218 to ask any questions relating to disabled access.

Are you family friendly?

Yes! At Riddle & Finns we are all about family values and love seeing people of all ages! We provide children’s menus with colouring crayons & highchairs. Our children’s menus include healthy and delicious options for your little ones. Space can be tight, we will always try and accommodate buggies, however, we may ask you to store these out the back where possible.

Do you allow dogs?

We do not allow dogs inside either of our venues due to our open kitchens, with the exception of service dogs. We do allow dogs on our outside bench, however, this cannot be booked.

Can I buy a voucher?/ Can I redeem my voucher at The Lanes?

Vouchers can be purchased both online via our website and in person at both of our venues. The vouchers can be for any value and are valid for a year after purchase. I am afraid that any vouchers that are not redeemed during the year cannot be extended. You can redeem them at both restaurants at any date or time. Please advise your waiter that you have a voucher when you ask for the bill.

Where is the closest parking?

Parking in Brighton can be a little challenging, however we do have car parks local to both of our restaurants. The closest ones are:

– NCP Car Park Brighton Centre, Russel Road
– Metropole Parking, St. Margaret’s Place
– The Lanes Car Park, Black Lion Street 
– Regency Square Car Park, Regency Square

How do the loyalty cards work?

Our loyalty cards are given out at both restaurants at the end of your meal if you spend a minimum of £75. For every £75 spent, you will receive 1 lobster stamp. When you have 6 stamps and a full card, you are then able to redeem the card on your next visit, giving you your cheapest main course for free. Only one loyalty card can be redeemed per meal. If you have any old loyalty cards, we can collate these for you.

14. Are you open on NYE?

Yes, we open on NYE! We always announce any special events via our newsletter, which can be joined via our website, however, The Lanes remains walk-ins for the evening- perfect for last minute plans. 

When are your busiest times?

Whilst we cannot answer this plainly, our busiest times are weekends, including Friday evenings and Saturday & Sundays. Wait times on tables at The Lanes may be extend during these periods.

MENU QUESTIONS

Do you cater for allergens?

We offer separate gluten & dairy free menus at our restaurants. We take allergies very seriously at Riddle & Finns and do our upmost to cater for all dietary needs. However, our kitchens are both small and, whilst we do everything in our power to avoid it, we cannot guarantee 100% that cross-contamination will be avoided.

Is the menu the same at both restaurants?

Yes, both of our food menus are the same at The Beach and The Lanes. There may be different specials at each restaurant, your waiter will let you know of any specials during your visit.

We run a slightly reduced cocktail menu at The Lanes- don’t worry, there are all the classics!

Do you do takeaway?

We do not do takeaway orders from The Lanes or The Beach. However, when dining with us, we do have takeaway boxes available for leftover food. We regret to say that some items, including opened oysters, cannot be taken away due to health & safety. 

Do you serve food all day?

Yes, we serve all day in both of our restaurants.

What is your Set Menu?

Our popular Lanes’ Set Menu is available Monday-Thursday 12-6pm (excluding bank holidays and school holidays). The menu changes in accordance to seasonal ingredients and allows staff to showcase their creativity and test out new dish ideas. 2 courses are £18 and 3 courses are £23. Mondays and Wednesday have the same menus, and Tuesday and Thursday as well. We always post our Set Menu on our instagram story- follow us at @Riddleandfinnsbrighton

Where is your seafood from?

Where possible, all of our seafood is local, and comes from Brighton & Newhaven Fish Sales, based down on Shoreham Harbour. We also source our mussels, langoustine & smoked salmon from Scotland. Our oysters come from Rossmore, which is based in Crawley, sourcing their oysters from Jersey and the Irish Coast.

What is the right way to eat an oyster?

The answer is… however you like! Some people like to chew their oysters, and others get it down in one. We serve our oysters with lemon and shallot vinaigrette, and also offer a range of hot and cold toppings. Find your favourite today.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Do you do anything special for birthdays/anniversaries?

Yes, of course! When making a booking there is the option to add a booking tag, e.g. “Birthday”. We look at all the booking notes so nothing gets missed. After your dinner we will send our a celebration plate with our homemade R&F truffles.

Can I bring my own cake?

If you would like to bring your own cake, that is absolutely fine. We do charge a cakeage fee of £3 per person when bringing in your own cake.

Can I pre-pay for Champagne/dinner?

Yes, it is lovely having Champagne on the table for you to arrive, or to pre-pay for someone else’s dinner. You can either buy a fixed amount online voucher and email us over the code with the details of the booking, or get in touch via email and we can send you a payment link. It is quick and easy.