Baumanns Brasserie

S Waine (19 May 2008)

We took some friends for a special meal there and at £45 per head we were disappointed. The ‘fresh’ apple juice we saw was tipped from a carton clearly marked as concentrated. The fish portions were small and it was improved upon after complaint. We also expected seasonal vegetables at least on the menu i.e. asparagus, especially, being practically next door to asparagus fields, but again were disappointed with diced carrots and courgettes and one bowl of potatoes for six people. Desserts were much better. As we were still so hungry we ordered a cheese board for dessert - nice cheese but again very small portions. We eat out a lot and realise portions should be balanced so you can manage a starter, main, and dessert; but even my wife who weighs less said she could have eaten it twice over. The food was generally nice, but definitely gone down hill since our last visit there about five years ago. Overall, it’s okay for a lunch out but not a special evening meal. We waited an hour for our starters to arrive.

Mike Panteli (18 May 2008)

I heard good reviews about this restaurant so on arriving we were expecting something special and soon as we walked through the door it was like ‘wow’! The greeting and atmosphere was warm and welcoming, almost like you were going home for a Sunday lunch at mums. Service was really caring and considerate. Excellent starters albeit not a great deal of choice but what you lose in quantity you make up for in quality - creamy stinging nettle soup. The waiters were really sympathetic, unrushed and genuinely concerned about fulfilling our food requirements. One thing that stood out was when I asked for a Bloody Mary and it turned up with a four inch red chilli split hanging off the glass. I joked with the waiter asking if it had been deseeded and he said no and then proceeded to deseed it at the table. I have heard of carvery at the table but this was special. We fell in love with the whole set up and will venture there again.

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