Free food for starving hacks

I feel slightly uncomfortable perching above throbbing gristle, but here it goes anyway, it's the next update on prizes for the summer party.

This post is dedicated to all the rather nice restaurant people who have offered us meals for the raffle.

Thai-ed to London?
Then get down to The Mango Tree who is offering a free meal for two as one of the prizes. The award-winning Thai restaurant is also giving the winner a bottle of house wine with the meal. Having just looked at the website and recognised the interior, I can confirm that the food is indeed rather fab, having been there only two months ago. Dishes include Pla Pow, a grilled fillet of sea bass wrapped in banana leaf and fresh lemon grass served with spicy lime sauce and Larb Pla Tuna, a north-eastern-style tuna salad with dry chilli and lemon grass. Yum.
It is very close to Victoria station, ideal for all you commuters. www.mangotree.org.uk

Hop along to Oblong
Oblong has singlehandedly elevated the status of George St in Hove from culinary desert to foodie heaven since opening earlier this year. Owned by the quiff-sporting Mark, Oblong has a funky cooking-style while sticking to local, seasonal ingredients. The prize is a two-course meal for two, and if you are lucky there might be a spare table on the fabulous roof terrace. Typical dishes include wild salmon pink pepper crusted wild salmon steak with spring onion, maple syrup and griddled pickles and rump of lamb with feta and roasted vine cherry tomato salad.
www.oblongrestaurant.com

Dorset for the evening
The Dorset is an old favourite in the North Laine of Brighton. The continental bar/restaurant is always crowded at the weekend with folk able to sit outside, sip a beer and watch passers-by struggle with their bags of empowering crystals. The restaurant is popular with families and couples alike thanks to its generous portions of French bistro-style food. Manager Thomas is giving the NUJ a meal up to the price of £30 as a prize. Dishes include aubergine stuffed with gruyere, oregano and wild mushroom risotto served with tomato salsa and roasted pine nuts, and whole roasted seasbass crammed with lemon and thyme and served with parmesan rocket salad.
www.thedorset.co.uk