Brasserie on Portland

Located just a couple of minutes walk from Piccadilly Gardens, the Brasserie on Portland is the perfect spot to relax and watch the world bustle by whilst you enjoy a tasty lunch with colleagues and friends, or enjoy a leisurely evening meal accompanied by soothing modern jazz and soul in an intimate candlelit atmosphere.

Soft, comfortable seating and creamy contemporary décor create an immediate impression of understated style that is complemented by warmly professional service. Good quality local produce is carefully prepared by Head Chef Dominic Scott to create some memorable dishes that are balanced perfectly by an international wine list of repute.

Starters may include roast duck broth, lime and coriander, Serrano ham and artichoke salad with green olive tapenade and red pepper salsa, or smoked trout with lemon scented crepe parmentier, watercress, and chive crème fraiche.

From a selection of main courses that faithfully follow the seasons look out for fillet of sea bass, served with a warm Greek salad, potato wedges and extra virgin olive oil, though it is always a good idea to check out the market fish of the day, often served with char-grilled squid, chickpea, spinach and lemon salad.

The rump of lamb is studded with rosemary and served with confit shallot mash and green pepper sauce. Of course no British menu worth the name would be without its beef which here takes the form of medallions of beef fillet and a duo of mash served with garden herb jus.

Side dishes included French fries, rocket and parmesan salad and Southern fried onion rings, and real steak addicts can have their fat cut chips.

A dinner guest once remarked to me that you can always tell the quality of a restaurant by the desserts it keeps. Though I totally disagree with him, puddings are something of a challenge to the best of chefs, when many people may have blunted desire with two filling courses beforehand and have suddenly found the aroma of coffee creeping into their minds and nasal organ.

So it comes as no surprise to see that Dominic Scott and his colleagues have well anticipated these tendencies, opening up with, when the time is right, which it increasingly is, English strawberries floating in cava, with Cornish clotted cream.

Roast baby pineapple is richly flavoured with Malibu tinged crème Anglaise, or there is ginger and coconut cake with lychee compote. Should you still pursue the coffee trail there is a formidable selection of single malts and brandies at your disposal.

The wine list we have already touched upon, and the detail makes good reading. Though relatively short it is the perfect foil to the menu, starting at around £13.50 with a Vine de Pays pure Chardonnay and a French Merlot, said to be 'soft and cherry-like'. South African wines are on the up and good to see them well represented here. Champagne starts at £30, which is where the other wines all stop.

Do keep abreast of events at Brasserie by clicking on their lively Website.