Restaurant review: 39 Prime, Reigate

By dmorris

39 Prime takes its name from its street number and the connection with 'prime' beef'.

And while it has been marketed mainly on its Argentinean steaks, I discovered it also offers a wide selection of non-beef dishes aimed at tickling the taste buds of those who are not essentially meat lovers.

39 Prime opened in December on the first floor above bar and nightclub JJ Whispers in Church Street.

With a great menu and innovative and glitzy design, 39 Prime offers a memorable dining experience.

The restaurant offers many cuts of beef and prides itself on its main forte, The 39 Prime Special. This is a fillet of beef that is fanned and left to marinate for 24 hours in a secret recipe.

Diners can either come off the street and go straight up to the restaurant or ascend the spiral staircase through JJ Whispers, possibly having had a pre-dinner cocktail prior to dining. Patrons with disability issues can be served their meals downstairs.

To say that the 50-seater restaurant's decor is stylish, glamorous and intimate would be an under-statement. For openers, it is all done up in black and white, the walls papered in black, the chairs covered in black and white fabric, and the tablecloths and serviettes are black as well.

What's more, dark blinds blot out any light that might have emanated from the street outside. With a very large mirror positioned at one end of the restaurant, diners facing it enjoy a panoramic view of what's going on behind them.

My wife and I were enjoying our starter of pan fried prawns. Priced at £6.50 each, it consisted of prawns on sesame toast with peanut and coconut satay and seaweed salad. The prawns were large, succulent and tangy.

We ordered the same main course - 10oz sirloin steaks (£18.25 each), with peppercorn sauce (£1.75) on the side. The steaks came with fries and tomato, but we ordered an assortment of veg - fried zucchini (cheese-encrusted courgette), French beans, saute potatoes and garlic mushrooms - as an accompaniment.

I had ice cream served in a brandy snap basket for dessert (£4.25), my wife opting for a Baileys creme brulee (£4.95).

Full marks to chef Darren Foster, who 39 Prime have lured from a pub in Leigh, on the quality and presentation of his food.

There is an expansive range of white, red and dessert wines or if one really wants to splash out, Champagne is available.

39 Prime has not priced itself out of the market - from Tuesday to Thursday diners can enjoy a two-course meal for £11.95, and a three-course meal for £16.45, choosing items from a set menu. There is an a la carte menu which offers a range of dishes which can be had as either starters or, at additional cost, as mains.

Also, there is a Light Meals and Mains menu offering food at prices that I would consider highly competitive. Vegetarian options are catered generously on all the menus, and there is a cautionary word for diners afflicted by nut allergies - please ask the waiting staff for advice.

The menus have been refreshed for the summer this week but the favourites I enjoyed still feature.

39 Prime is open Tuesdays to Saturdays from noon to 3pm for lunch and 6pm to 11pm for dinner. With packed houses on Fridays and Saturdays, you are advised to book ahead.

Alf De Araujo

The lowdown

Rating: Four stars

Cost for two: £69.70 (not including drinks)

Service charge: Discretionary

Wine: Varied and reasonable selection, all by glass or bottle

Vegetarian: Well catered for

Parking: Take your chances along Church Street or use Bancroft Road council car park (patrons also enjoy access to car park at rear of premises)

Service: Attentive, unhurried and efficient

Value for money: Yes

39 Prime

39-41 Church Street,

Reigate

Surrey

RH2 0AD

01737 237977