Browns Bar & Brasserie - Covent Garden

Browns St Martins Lane is situated in the heart of London's West End and theatre-land and just a stone's throw from the renowned shopping district of Covent Garden. A dozen theatres, cinemas and the bright lights of Leicester Square are located within a hundred yards of its doors.

The first Browns opened for business in Brighton in 1973. Based on the colonial style brassiere of the early 20th century, this 21st century version of the genre traditionally occupies historic buildings of interest, with high ceilings, sweeping fans, beautiful wooden floors and luscious palms, and Browns Covent Garden is no exception. Its style is all about casual elegance where guests come to relax with friends in a calming bustle.

The building was converted in 1995 from the original Westminster County Court, and now houses a superb 300 cover restaurant on its ground floor, famous for its pre/post theatre buzz (for which there is an excellent menu available offering 2 courses for £12.95 from 4.30pm to 6.30 and 9.30 to 11pm.) and its ability to cope with large parties.

The main restaurant area also houses a spectacularly long bar serving fantastic wines, beers and cocktails with some of the best value champagne in London; the bar area of the brasserie has had a facelift and has been extended with the addition of a champagne bar and mini grand piano. Relax with an award winning Bloody Mary and digest your paper among the palms, or enjoy a drink with friends and colleagues.

Alternatively, improve the hour with their Hendricks's and elderflower Collins, a classic Mojito or if driving is an issue there's always a Long Pom iced tea. If it isn't follow the trend ('most popular at-home long drink') a glass of cyder, this one from Aspall's in Suffolk Continental beers and lagers include Leffe Blonde from Belgium and Italian Birra Moretti.

Upstairs Browns St Martins Lane boasts two of the original Courtrooms (still with the trappings of the judicial process, including benches and judges chairs) which are available for private hire for groups of 10-200 people. Whether it be for a special dinner, company presentation, conference or even a wedding, a great menu and service to match can be tailored to suit all requirements.

The success of Browns restaurants is based on the service of freshly prepared food and drink delivered by impressive and apparently well-trained staff in a bustling and thriving atmosphere.

Their menu consists of Mediterranean salads and pastas as well as some more traditional grilled and roasted dishes such as steaks or duck confit, recent additions include pan fried breaded escalope of Suffolk pork, roast rack of lamb and 28 day aged rib eye steak. A formidable selection of starters including Scottish smoked salmon, crab and avocado salad, and grilled goat's cheese are also available. Desserts list apple pie and custard, sticky toffee pudding, or vanilla cheesecake. Starters average £6, main courses £10 and desserts £4.50; a children's menu at £4.95 is also available. The wine list ranges from £11.50 to £24.

It is strongly recommended that large groups book in advance but otherwise tables are usually available even at busy times, when you might take advantage of the bar for a pre-dinner snifter.
"It's where everyone goes and quite rightly so," said The Guardian.

For more information including details of menus and private dining in the Courtrooms, take a look at their excellent  Website .