Today we’re heading to Covent Garden for lunch at Browns Brasserie & Bar. Just around the corner from Leicester Square tube station, this fabulous Covent Garden institution is fresh from its recent multi-million pound refurbishment. Housed in the Grade II Listed Westminster County Court building, it’s grand and sophisticated, beautifully designed and spacious with high ceilings and huge windows. The summer sun was streaming in as we were shown to our table by the window and presented with the beautifully illustrated menus festooned with flowers. Gotta love summertime in London.
What’s on the menu
There’s a lot of deliciousness to choose from with British classics like shepherds pie, fish and chips and fish pie to luscious steaks and lobster and even a dedicated gluten-free menu. Nice touch that makes it easier all round. I started with the Devon crab and avocado served on top of a heritage potato salad with crab mayo and sourdough toast. Three of my favourite things all on one plate so I couldn’t have been happier. And it was all so fresh with a light creaminess and intense crab flavours. Yum!
My dining companion today is Sarah, who I met on a press trip to Sicily last year (love that travel gives you the chance to meet so many lovely people). She’s gluten intolerant so was thrilled to discover the restaurant offers a dedicated gluten-free menu. For starter she ordered this fabulous scallop dish served with pea and broad bean puree, fresh mint, samphire and lemon dressing. Love it when scallops are so perfectly seared. A plate that perfectly encapsulates summer.
Also from the gluten-free menu, this is the king prawn and Devon crab rigatoni (more delicious Devon crab) served with lime chilli and coriander pesto. Beautifully fishy with a lovely chilli bite and gluten-free pasta is surprisingly good – yes I tasted it to make sure.
Today it looks like we were having a fishy day. Hard not to when there’s such an incredible selection on offer. My choice? This perfectly cooked roast cod served with wild garlic, asparagus, pomme anna, peas, leeks, broad beans, watercress, wild garlic salsa verde and allium flowers. Love a bit of wild garlic and it makes a sensational salsa verde. The fish was flaky and tender with a beautifully crispy skin and the combo of sauce and vegetables was the perfect match. Light and tasty. Do love a pomme anna too, doesn’t it look pretty?
We thought we’d better sample some sides while we were at it. Who can resist a bowl of Parmesan and truffle thick-cut chips after all? We also tucked into roast beetroot, feta and basil. Delightful. And all adding up to quite a feast which meant that unfortunately today we simply didn’t have room for dessert, even though the pudding menu sounded oh-so yummy. Next time.
We did have to try a cocktail from the spritz menu. Browns is famed for its cocktails after all. This is the Chandon garden spritz made from sparkling wine that’s blended with a liqueur made from spices and finished with Valencia orange peels. It’s refreshing and citrusy and just perfect for summertime in London. More cocktails to be demolished at Browns I say!
Here’s a shot of the stylish interior and those beautiful big windows looking out over the activity of Covent Garden.
Today’s Price Point
Our lunch for two today came to £128. It was pretty substantial with generous portions.
This includes two courses each, a spritz cocktail each, a lovely bottle of South African rose and service.
Browns is at 82-84 St Martins Lane, Covent Garden WC2N. Leicester is the closest station.
