The pub (and I have to say, gratefully, that it is a pub rather than a bar which Brighton is being infested with) has changing faces throughout the night, aided by the food served there. In the early evening Pokky’s Thai Kitchen fills every corner with mouth-watering smells of lemongrass and lime. Steaming plates are carried to tables by Pokky himself with drinkers peering in envy. The erudite food and light chat and banter pairing perfectly. At 10pm, just as the evening is being diluted into shots and giggles, a quick change occurs; drinkers oblivious. Now it’s the turn of the naughty little brother to feed the Druid’s masses – Olly and Benton. With a list of burgers as long as a very long thing they cater to every taste, if you like burgers this is the place for you, and hey, at 1am, after a few jars who doesn’t like/need/crave a burger?!
I tasted and tested both out just for you lucky Edible readers, really, it’s a hard job but someone’s gotta do it.
Pokky’s Thai Kitchen (Mon – Fri 5pm – 10pm, Sat 3pm – 10pm. Starters £3.25/£3.50, mixed starters £6.50/£7.50, soup £4.50, mains and noodles £5.95)
Ok, so Thai food is everywhere these days. Well, yes, it is, but not Thai food that is this good and has this much love and care put into it. Pokky has been serving food in The Druids for the last two and a half years and never disappoints. The menu is straightforward with all of the usual suspects appearing and main dishes are available with tofu, chicken, prawn, pork, beef or duck.
We had the mixed starter, which, at £7.50 is a friggin’ steal. The meaty bites were thoughtfully arranged on one side and the veggie bites on the opposite side. As you can see in the photo the portions are generous and three yummy dips come with it. The sweetcorn cakes were the star for me, whilst meaty mate loved the small spicy meatballs which didn’t seem to appear on the menu as a starter on it’s own. Despite the batter and deep-frying nothing tasted oily and, although filling, it didn’t feel heavy. 
For the mains we had Tofu Massuman Curry with coconut rice and Noodles with Chilli and Duck. My curry dish came with lots of tofu and fresh, crisp vegetables. It packed a slight chilli kick made smooth with a creamy coconut milk. The noodle dish had tasty strips of duck and a barrage of complimentary flavours in every mouthful. And, yet again, it wasn’t oily or heavy; although after this and the mixed starter I was feeling slightly more rotund than when I entered!
I have heard rumblings that food from Laos (which Wikipedia has just told me is called Laotian cuisine) may also be available soon if punters are up for it. Count me in!!
Olly and Benton’s Burgers (Mon – Fri 10pm – 1am, Sat – 3am. Prices from £2.90 - £4.50, sides from £1.50 } these prices may change when the boys reopen)
Olly, Benton and their waiter are always on hand to discuss your burger choices and very happy to do so. We made use of this invaluable service (well, it is a big decision!) and we were extremely satisfied with their recommendations for our own particular burger preferences. The list of burgers can be daunting and, with no description of the burger, just a catchy name, it can also be bewildering. However, the result is a personal burger-consultation.
The menu does cater for every taste, onion, tomato and gherkin are optional and cheese can be added. The sides are the standard but ever-pleasing fries and onion rings. An array of sauces are also available. The veggie burger I went for, well, actually, it’s vegan, was the mushroom burger with gherkin. It was mouthwateringly delicious, I wanted another one immediately after I had finished it. Paired with the onion rings my belly was very content, perhaps a little over-content! Meaty mate went for a beef burger with blue cheese. From the enthusiastic mumblings that came from his burger-filled gob he was also delighted with the fare.
As you can see in the pic the burgers arrive in cute little boxes, which are all made from recycled material and then recycled again.
The burger boys are taking a wee break whist they re-jig the menu, the launch party on 15th February, will, I’m hoping, be resplendent with foot-high trays of burgers being waitered around, now that’s an alternative Ferrero Rocher advert I wanna see!
