“Nobody in this town has achieved what I achieved six years ago.”

Naming his new restaurant after himself, Frenchman Rosario Guarneri – the man also behind celebrated restaurant Victors – isn’t afraid to blow his own trumpet.

That said, The Arrogant Frog is not the sort of place where you are going to be made to feel uncomfortable if you can’t pronounce one of the French wines from the extensive list, or where a waiter will tut over your choice of order. Instead, the restaurant is a very intimate and friendly venue almost hidden away in the middle of one of Hove’s busiest streets.

Diners are given a choice of two menus, one offering starters, main courses and desserts for just £20, while the a la carte menu offers similar mains, starting at around £15.

As anyone who has eaten in France will tell you the general French attitude to vegetarianism is

a resounding “non!” This is certainly the case with The Arrogant Frog, with only the desserts and French onion soup providing safe options for veggies.

But Rosario is happy to cook vegetarian dishes to order if requested.

The restaurant particularly prides itself on serving fresh fish, often bought that morning. “We live so close to the sea, so why serve frozen fish?” says Rosario.

Starters include scallops and salmon alongside the soup, with mains ranging from steamed sea bass, lobster, lemon sole and red mullet, to duck for anyone who prefers a bit of meat on their plate.

The decor is quiet and laidback, with subtle French pop playing in the background, and the service is gentle and unobtrusive, allowing the food to take centre stage.

Unlike most French restaurants, where clouds of smoke impair your taste and vision, Rosario has pre-empted the new non-smoking laws by asking smokers to puff away outside.

Anyone who simply wants to sample the wine list can sit up at the bar, although they might be challenged by the gorgeous smells coming from the nearby kitchen.

■ The restaurant is open from 9.30am to midnight, Tuesday to Saturday.