Browns manages to be quintessentially British while combining a French brasserie with an American burger joint. The result is vivacious and good humoured, while the portions are large and it is very popular with children. The menu offers a bit of everything; burgers, salads, pasta and steaks. The food is wholesome and plentiful and it's a great place for lunch with the kids. Catering for private parties of up to 40 people is available upon request.
Browns
Brasserie in The City
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Opening Times
Monday |
Open 07:00 - Closes 23:00 |
Tuesday |
Open 07:00 - Closes 23:00 |
Wednesday |
Open 07:00 - Closes 23:00 |
Thursday |
Open 07:00 - Closes 00:00 |
Friday |
Open 07:00 - Closes 00:00 |
Saturday |
Open 10:00 - Closes 23:00 |
Sunday | Closed |
All In London Review
Fresh and modern whilst simultaneously established in tradition
I’ve been going to Browns restaurants for years - in Covent Garden before the theatre, in Kingston after a Saturday spent shopping with friends and in Victoria after meetings. So it was a delight to return to one of my favourite Browns – in Old Jewry – a stone’s throw from Bank station. In years gone by, this was a regular haunt where I would meet friends and colleagues after work in the City for drinks and sometimes dinner. Also for informal business lunches when in the area.
So my companion and I were reassured that Browns is still very much the same as it always used to be – a large, buzzy brasserie with high ceilings and that fabulous “make a grand entrance” sweeping staircase in the middle (which goes up to a quieter and more romantic dining area on an open mezzanine – complete with a baby grand piano which I am sure is put to good use).
The no-nonsense, simply elegant tables and chairs and mirror tile walls are punctuated with large pillars and the occasional palm to add some colour. And stunning pendulum lights. It manages to feel fresh and modern whilst simultaneously established in tradition.
The service was super-friendly and efficient. The menu is reassuringly British with something for everyone. Starters and sharing plates include: prawn cocktail (£6.95), duck liver parfait (£6.95), white onion soup (£5.50), whole baked camembert (£10.95 – and one of my other friend’s favourites), Mussels (£7.50) and torched feta salad (£6.50).
There are light mains such as haddock fish cakes (£12.25), tune nicoise (£13.50), prawn and crab linguine (£13.50) and chicken Caesar salad (£12.95). Mains and grills cover everything you expect including fish and chips (£13.95), sea bass (£15.95), fish pie (£15.25), steak and Guinness pie (£13.95) and roast lamb rump (£17.95).
As we were not planning to drink a lot we had a large glass of a rather nice Mamaku New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc each (at £9.55 each we thought this a little pricey although there were cheaper options at £7.80). My companion also had a glass of Prosecco (£5.95). My beef carpaccio was simple but good (£8.95) and whilst my companion’s Devon crab on toast (£8.95) was a good sized portion and flavoursome, the presentation was a little lack lustre.
Early in the evening, the other diners were small business groups (possibly combining with a meeting) and some larger groups which looked like after-work socials. As the evening wore on, there were younger groups who arrived separately so perhaps they were from out of town and a smattering of mixed and single sex couples. That’s one of the things I really like about Browns – pretty much everyone, old and young, formal and informal, fits in. Anything goes.
My lobster risotto (£16.95) had some meaty chunks of lobster and was suitably sea-salt flavoured. It was warming and comforting and decorated with some courgette strings. My companion’s fillet steak (£23.95) was cooked as requested and arrived with some serious looking chips which were burn-your-mouth hot. She was pleased that her side of green beans (£3.50) was a generous portion and that they had held off the butter as requested. Feeling replete we couldn’t tackle the dessert menu – despite its sweet temptations. The mint tea (£1.95) was fresh.
With the total bill including service coming to £100.38 it isn’t cheap – but then again, considering the location and the quality of food and service, it isn’t expensive either.
As well as lunch and dinner menus, Browns also provides breakfasts – traditional English at £8.50 (and a vegetarian option £7.95), eggs Benedict (£8.25),and Florentine (£7.95) as well as scrambled eggs and smoked salmon (£7.50) and modern options such as smashed avocado on sourdough toast (£6.50). And there’s afternoon tea too - £14 per person. And, of course, roasts on Sundays.
Reviewed by KimT
Published on Mar 1, 2017
Good choice, reasonable value and delivered by pleasant waiting staff who are not intrusive...
The bar here is always bustling with people – and lots of men folk from the City which is rare for a wine bar (as they usually prefer pubs). Although it is generally pretty easy to get a table to eat either down stairs or upstairs.
It’s a place where I typically go with my City based friends after work. It’s quite buzzy, usually fairly busy and the food and wine is reliable rather than remarkable.
The menu is extensive and you are guaranteed to find something that will take your fancy. Starters include slow roasted peppers (£5.75), freshwater shrimp (££7.35), prosciutto and chorizo (£5.95), grilled goats cheese (£6.75) and crab and avocado salad (£6.75). There are several starters for sharing too.
Fish and salads include seafood platter (£12), baked soy salmon (£12.50), swordfish salad (£13) and fish stew (£9.50) as well as fish and chips with minted mushy peas (£10.75). Mains include roast vegetable tart (£8.75), grilled chicken (£11.50), bacon cheeseburger (£10), calves liver and bacon (£13.50) and rack of lamb (£15). There are a couple of steak options and they have various daily specials – including vegetarian and pasta options.
They also offer afternoon tea and Sunday roasts – but I’ve never tried those out I’m afraid – so someone please let me know what they think.
The food is nothing particularly special, but there’s a good choice and it’s reasonable value delivered by pleasant waiting staff who are not intrusive.
Like many places in the City, it serves breakfast and lunch too. It’s got that “after work” relaxed feel about it and I’m not sure I’d want to go back to work if I had lunch there although in the past there has been one or two occasions when I’ve been there for a work lunch or dinner with a relatively large group of us.
Reviewed by KimT
Published on Aug 8, 2008
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