THE Eat Out To Help Out scheme by the government proved hugely popular in August. People loved it so much that some restaurants carried on their own version in September. But which was your favourite? Did you find yourself going back again and again as the offer was so good? Did it help make a difficult year more bearable – did it make your “staycation” more special perhaps? Now is your chance to reward the restaurants who gave you some special nights out. Did their staff go the extra mile? Was the food particularly good?

The shortlist, chosen by you, our readers, is:

Nostos, Holland Road, Hove

Nostos provides wholesome and authentic Greek cuisine right on our doorstep. Their story began when two friends met in the Greek city of Thessaloniki and decided that Brighton and Hove was the perfect destination for their restaurant vision. Head chef, Alex, continues to honour his culinary heritage while taking inspiration from local ingredients to create a menu of iconic dishes and little known gems of Greek cuisine. Everything is prepared on-site with quality ingredients, guaranteeing fresh and mouth-watering taste. The restaurant’s commitment to the pursuit of new flavours helps to maintain its status as a firm favourite.

Fatto a Mano Church Road, Hove

Fatto a Mano translates to homemade, a sentiment taken straight to the heart of this pizzeria. The pizza dough is made on site every day, proved for a minimum of 24 hours, creating the soft and pillowy dough that has become its trademark. The specialist pizziaolos, Italian pizza chefs, use traditional wood-fired ovens, the first thing you see as you walk in. Cooking the pizza at a temperatures of over 450C means it is done to perfection in minutes. With a wide-ranging vegan menu also on offer, it is easy to see why this family-friendly restaurant made the shortlist.

Curry Leaf Café, Ship Street, Brighton

After its founders met on the free classified website Gumtree, Curry Leaf Café has gone from strength to strength. The eatery has been continually recognized as one of the top Indian restaurants in the country, as listed in the BBC Good Food Magazine and GQ Magazine. With a laid-back dining space, exposed brick walls and a vintage Indian design, the venue is perfect for a family lunch or a three-course meal. As well as offering home-style South Indian food, it also boasts one of the UK’s finest ranges of craft beers. Curry leaf café does Indian café culture, Brighton style.

The Ginger Fox, Muddleswood Road, Hassocks

The Ginger Fox is a rural treat tucked away in the South Downs. The country pub offers high-quality, seasonal Sussex produce, from local fish and meat and local ales. The open log fires give the place a country cottage feel, perfect for settling down to eat a traditional Sunday lunch or for drinking an award-winning glass of wine from the Ridgeview Wine Estate in Ditchling Common. A branch of the Gingerman Group, the restaurant has been included in the Michelin Guide 2020. With delicious food and a cosy atmosphere, it is no wonder we continue to make the journey out of the city to this countryside dining spot.

The Gingerman, Norfolk Square, Brighton

The Gingerman is the flagship restaurant of The Gingerman Group. Since 1998, the restaurant has maintained its philosophy to create uncomplicated, full-flavoured food made from the freshest, highest quality seasonal produce. Delicious dishes range from slow-roasted pork belly, roast duck and vegetarian options including Ricotta Gnudi. The neighbourhood restaurant, just a short walk from the seafront, has also been included in the Michelin Guide 2020. The restaurant offers modern dishes that can be enjoyed in its intimate setting. With its unique character, it’s not hard to see how the stylish restaurant maintains its great reputation within the city.

Amici, Blatchington Road, Hove.

Tucked away in Blatchington Road, this hidden gem provides pizza that looks good and tastes great. It is one of only a few places to make ‘Roman-style’ pizza. They say olive oil is the secret ingredient to creating their characteristic flavour and weighty crust. The dough is also hand-stretched resulting in the Naples-style thin, crunchy pizza that customers have come to love. Their commitment to creating healthy, fresh food has earnt the restaurant a Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award 2020 for consistently earning great reviews. It may not be long until the pizzeria is adding this accolade to its list of awards.

The closing date is October 18.

For details on how to vote see the printed Argus newspaper