24 St Georges, though only open for lunch on a saturday. Definitely best 'classic' restaurant.
Coalshed is a good shout.
I'm meeting a really good ol' mate and I want to proudly show Brighton off as a gourmet centre. He's a London townie and thinks that all up there is godlike and us Sussex boys cannot compete...can we...if so where please!
I think you might be disappointed. As good as Brighton is it cannot compete with London in the food dept.
The Coal Shed has good reviews. Haven't been myself, but my parents have and they are sticklers for good food and service.
http://www.coalshed-restaurant.co.uk/
Massive rip off well over priced and even more over rated.
Cliftonville , 2 dinners for £6.99 may hit the SPOT
I rather like 64 Degrees
Depends where you stand on seafood, but a sunny day in Brighton, I think Riddle and Finns on the seafront, should come into the reckoning.