Browns Bar and Brasserie Manchester #Review

Browns Bar and Brasserie Visit: June 2016

Designed in 1902 by Charles Heathcote, the former Parrs Bank building also previously known as the Athenaeum pub underwent renovations and is now the home of the Browns Bar and Brasserie in Manchester city centre.  The Building boasts traditional Elaborate Edwardian baroque architecture with exquisite art nouveau detailing.  The bar centrally positioned is the heart of Browns and a networking hot spot.  Additionally, a perfectly positioned piano awaits those who delve deeper into Browns and make the wise decision to sample their food offerings.  Luckily, as you can see from the images I managed to get a few photos in before the city crowds and tourists had hit this favourite Manchester Destination.

Toilets, ladies rooms and powder rooms are not usually a feature or a major talking point within my articles, but too many places, I have frequented have included toilet facilities that are let’s say… “lacking”.  Browns have got this right and this needs to be rejoiced.  Make your way down the stairs, through a plush cream carpeted passage that displays historic architectural sketched framed pictures.  Awaiting are perfectly appointed and pristine ladies rooms.  Refreshing to have plenty of hand wash, hand cream and space to ensure ladies are not battling their way through squashed huddles just to gain a position at the hand dryer or acquire some much needed mirror time.

To start proceedings we were served creamy cheesy camembert fondue perfectly balanced with poppy seeds accompanied with a tremendous tangy tomato and rhubarb chutney, granola and crostini.  Pulled pork and pig cheek rillettes were accompanied by a brilliant bramley apple butter and multiseed toast.  Chicken lollipops is where we made our mistake, we should have ordered more than one portion!  Mouth-watering moist chicken, crispy skin and perfectly seasoned.  We really did savour every bite.

Fish and chips at Browns is more refined than eating them from the chippy’s paper style bag, but Browns do this without over complicating the dish or losing the authenticity of the Fish and Chip supper.  Line-caught cod filet served in a crispy seasoned batter with pea and mint purée, tartare sauce and a generous helping of chunky chips certainly fed the appetite.  Browns British Isles 7oz fillet steak was a high quality cut both seasoned and cooked well…no fuss, no faff, just how I like it!  Served with garlic & herb butter, fluffy yet crisp chunky chips, mushrooms and a confit tomato.  Additionally, the peppercorn sauce was perfection!

The Triumph was the Trio of chocolate desserts.  Warm chocolate fondant that revealed a sticky gooey centre, a charming chocolate pot decorated with a plump fresh raspberry and a delicious chocolatey ice cream.  Also, the super sticky tasty toffee pudding served with stem ginger ice cream was a real indulgent treat.

Previously, I seriously underestimated Browns as a cocktail destination.  Correction on this point and future note to self, Browns cocktails are first class, use high quality spirits, exceeded all expectations and the staff have in depth cocktail knowledge and expert cocktail making abilities.  Piña Colada was a concoction of heavenly Havana Especial, coconut syrup, cream, milk and pineapple.  At least this naughty indulgent cocktail treat included one of my five a day.  Hurray for the pineapple!  Browns British Royal mixes up Black Cow Vodka with Rosehip and Rhubarb cordial and apple topped with Prosecco.  Now, a personal favourite!  Black Cow Vodka is a taste sensation!  The Espresso Martini a mix of Absolut Vanilla, Tia Maria and a shot of espresso certainly provided a “Browns” energy Boost to the evening.

Browns varying food and beverage options along with a warm Manchester welcome really is a place for all.  Whether that be for a family celebration, a networking event or just simply a few drinks with work colleagues or friends.  Lauren our server throughout clearly had the knowledge to provide useful menu suggestions and had the capability to build up a quick rapport with her customers due to her genuine nature.  Lively, friendly and informal sum up the “Browns” way of doing things and do not change this guys, as it works!

Thank you for Reading 🙂

Melanie xx

Browns Manchester, 1 York Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M2 2AW

http://www.browns-restaurants.co.uk/restaurants/northwest/manchester

0161 819 1055

browns.manchester@mbplc.com