Many of my visits to Brighton have involved being a guest lecturer in training courses (about competitive electricity markets, which I am sure you don't want to know). Part of the course generally involves taking the delegates out for a group meal somewhere posh. The location that the course organisers have chosen is Havana in Duke Street.
As restaurants go, I have to say that Havana is a bit gloomy. The décor is all dark wood and low lighting, brightened only by pure white tablecloths. It is very stylish, but perhaps not the best place to show off a beautiful frock because your companions won't get a good look at it.
However, I am happy to say that the gloom is not a cunning ploy to disguise the food. Every meal I had had at Havana has been very tasty and exquisitely prepared. It is one of those places where you get consommé instead of soup and jus instead of sauce and it is all delicious and it all looks like the under-chefs spent half an hour arranging in on the plate before serving it. The wine list is excellent too. Yes, it will be a bit expensive, and the portions will be fashionably small, but you can see and taste what you are paying for. It is even better when you are not paying.