Browns Brasserie Manchester |
Tel: 0871 230 5526 
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1 York Street, Manchester, M2 2AW [map] |
Lavish branch from the longest-established restaurant group in Britain opened in Spring Gardens in January 2011 |
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Browns Restaurant Manchester ~ overall readers' reviews |
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most popular dish: Shoulder Of Lamb (£16.50) |
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Brown's Brasserie Manchester ~ our reviews |
From Germany To Manchester And Back (Nov 2011)
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 "Since the free tasting sessions Browns offered to Pride Of Manchester members ahead of its launch on the 27th January 2011, we've revisited the elegant Spring Gardens venue for food on four occasions in its first month, as well as countless more times for drinks.
The first occasion offered us mixed emotions. We had been in the Black Forest earlier in the day, flying back to Manchester and heading directly to Browns. The refit of the former Athenaeum building keeps the British charm from the banking hall that once stood here with its high ceiling, dark woods and marble columns very reminiscent of the beer halls and restaurants you find all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland; the type we had been in earlier that day and certainly our kind of place. Interestingly, all seven of our party initially mentally compared it to the excellent Vapiano in Karlsruhe, which we had visited the previous evening; the layout being almost identical.
Sadly, from a selfish point of view at least, we were shocked to see the amazing Black Forest's Rothaus beer on the menu. For years we had wondered why this amazing brew that dominates the menu in so many bars along the Rhine from Basel to Rotterdam was non-existent in the UK, and we'd secretly planned to start importing it ourselves for great financial gain. Whilst only stocking the brewery's Hefeweizen Wheat Beer on tap rather than their better Tannenzäpfle Pils, Browns had still scuppered our investment dreams somewhat!
I guess, at this point, it's a good time to mention the other drinks at Browns. The choice is fantastic whilst the prices are incredible. Take for example, a bottle of the beautiful Trimbach Gewürztraminer. It costs £18 around the corner at Odd Bins and circa £38 at the tiny handful of other restaurants stocking it in town. Browns are listing it at just £26. Needless to say, we cleared out their first shipment within a week. Champagnes are equally well priced and, at £35.95 for the delicious Mercier Brut (recommended), £39.95 for Mumm Cordon Rouge and only £44.95 for Perrier Jouet Grand Brut, amongst many others, it's no surprise that bottles of fizz sit on many diners' tables.
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| Continuing the Germanic feel, the huge Veal Schnitzel (£13.95) was excellent, the Wild Boar & Chorizo Burger (£12.45) highly recommended and the Beef, Bacon & Emmental Burger (£9.95) equally tasty. Of course, these are all perfectly matched with the Rothaus Weissbier (£4) |
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We've literally worked our way through the menu since it opened and have generally been impressed. It's certainly value for money without producing award-winning fare. I guess, going back to the European comparison, it's honest filling brasserie grub. Enough to make you want to return time and again but without being wowed.
Other than the three aforementioned dishes, the stand out choices have been the Tiger Prawn Cocktail (£5.95), the Slow Cooked Shoulder of Welsh Lamb (£15.75), which has literally fallen off the bone each time, and the Honey Roasted Parsnips (£2.95); so delicious we now order them as a side dish every time we visit, even if they're not a traditional match for pasta or pastries.
The portion sizes, like the prices, are very generous but if you do find room for dessert, plump for the Winter Spiced Poached Pear (£4.95)... mmm, my lips are salivating as I write those words... or, if you're a sweet tooth, go for any of the massive Cheesecakes (£5.45).
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| There's a good selection of fish dishes, including those often including on the Daily Specials Board, which the excellent serving staff carry to your table despite it often being larger than themselves. On two occasions we've found the fish to be very slightly overcooked without distracting too much from its delicious taste. The soy sauce accompaniment for the Salmon Fillet (£13.25) was stunning, presumably mixed with balsamic vinegar, it was well matched for the shitake and button mushrooms, and char-grilled pak choi. |
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Whilst the food has always been nice without being amazing, the Pan Seared Black Pearl Scallops (£8.45) have been the only major disappointment. Slightly overcooked and not comparable in either size or quality to the ones we had experienced at 110 Restaurant the night before one visit.
The Flatbreads (£5.45), again continuing the Central European influence with a nod to the Alsace, have been very enjoyable if somewhat too greasy on each occasion. Served on a wooden board, these are great for sharing and are perfectly shared with a bottle of the Alsatian Trimbach, provided there's any left in the cellar following our visits.
The Meat (£13.45) and Vegetable (£12.45) Platters are also fantastic for sharing between two and good value for money but with so many great appetisers to choose from, the odds on you both agreeing to go for the same dish are somewhat reduced.
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Ladies can burn off the calories from the huge portions, afternoon teas and inviting cakes with just one very long walk to the toilet, although there's enough healthy options on the menu to justify an extra glass of fizz. Gents will be pleased to know that there's plenty to keep their eyes and ears occupied whilst they wait for their partner to return from the long trek.
All in all, Browns has become one of our favourite restaurants in Manchester in such a short space of time. The beautiful decor is always going to be the main talking point but with such fantastic friendly service led by Marco, the excellent and charming Roman manager, the live background music and the great prices, there's enough here to justify many a repeat visit." - restaurants of manchester - 2/3/11
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price |
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"nice" |
"great value for money" |
"very friendly" |
"amazing ambience'" |
"one of our favourites" |
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Browns Manchester ~ members' reviews |
| "I've visited Browns three times since it opened at the end of January. This is a very large restaurant opening completely from scratch with all new staff, so we expected - and saw - one or two teething problems but overall they're off to a very good start. Improving on Atheneum that stood here for many years beforehand, which was bafflingly also owned by Mitchell & Butlers, the building is an excellent conversion, retaining a lot of the features of a 19th/early 20th Century bank main office. The food is tasty, wholesome, no frills fare but nicely presented. The prices seem to be pitched in between those of the large faceless chains and the more gourmet places. There's a wide range in the menu choices so you can eat very cheaply or splash out a bit if you're flush. Overall, Browns is a great addition to the Manchester scene. The type of place that suits most occasions." - ian, stockton heath - TRUSTED REVIEWER (16/3/11 ~ visited on a Tuesday lunch) |
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| "I've visited Browns twice since it opened and have thoroughly enjoyed both occassions. Your review sums it up perfectly although I guess you had revisited ahead of my latest visit as your recommendation of the Trimbach was met with the reply of "Sorry, we're all out of these two wines", with the waitress pointing them out on the menu, presumably unable to announce Gewürztraminer or Puligny Montrachet. As you say, it is very remiscent of a European beer hall with its grand decor and bustling atmosphere. I had the Veal Schnitzel the first time which was nice wthout being spectacular and I would probably use the same description for the Steak Frites, which I ordered this weekend. It was refreshing to be provided with a steak knife - why do so many restaurants in Manchester fail to do that nowadays? It was very busy on both my visits but the staff, whilst seemingly stressed at times, were still efficient, incredibly friendly and noticeably good looking. The price of both drinks and food are also worthy of note and I'd certainly return again and again. It's a welcome addition to Manchester's dining scene." - matthew, manchester - TRUSTED REVIEWER (7/3/11 ~ visited on a Saturday evening) |
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