Browns Bar & Brasserie - Mayfair

In the heart of the shopping capital of England, sandwiched between Oxford Street, Regent Street and Bond Street, Browns Mayfair provides a welcome oasis from the stresses, some of them pleasantly self-inflicted, of London life.

In keeping with the tradition established by Browns when considering their restaurant sites, this beautifully converted Georgian tailors has a wealth of history, for those who spent their working days there were responsible for outfitting such dignitaries as Winston Churchill and Clem Atlee into a state of sartorial elegance, before Browns restored the building over ten years ago.

Lunch-times are frantic as those working locally wine and dine with friends and clients, while the afternoons and evenings are a more relaxed affair as weary shoppers and ebulient theatre-goers meet for quality food and drink. As well as the 150 seater restaurant there is a separate cocktail/wine bar and 4 private dining rooms for a more secluded event. Those who haven't been to Browns Mayfair are missing out on one of the area's classiest restaurants.

The weekends tend to be an oasis of calm by comparison as shoppers, tourists and local residents escape form the hectic bustle of the West End. Saturday has its own buzz as people meet for a spot of supper before going on to one of the many near-by theatres, or simply relax with friends over a cocktail and a bite to eat.

Browns is a classic English restaurant with a menu that has evolved rather than changed over the last 30 years. It offers a genuine value for money experience for guests wishing to spend less than £10 a head but also can cater for large parties with a more expansive budget. head but also can cater for large parties with a more expansive budget.

A plate of appetisers to share comes in either vegetarian or seafood antipasti form, and there are thin and crisp flatbreads topped with such delights as smoked salmon, cream cheese and asparagus. Starters cleverly re-invent some of the classic brasserie dishes; expect to find crab and avocado salad, Belgium endive, moules marinières, and a fine selection of freshly made soups depending on the day.

Fish and pasta dishes include Angel pasta, or a walnut and cheese stuffed version, served with lemon and nut butter and asparagus spears. A real value seafood platter will have king prawns, poached salmon, crab, anchovies, smoked mackerel and trout assembled together, whilst hungry chaps may well opt for the chargrilled swordfish with a green and red salad.

Browns's own steak, mushroom and Guinness pie is a real puller, with the lamb cutlets not too far behind. Apple pie and custard and sticky toffee pudding combine traditional with new classic, but the fact is that after years of experience in the field of what might be termed comfortable eating, Browns have it pretty well tied up.

There is a full wine, cocktail and Champagne list with the Champagnes being particularly notable for their sensible pricing (Veuve Clicquot £40, Dom Perignon £85).

On Sundays Browns opens from 12.00 for a relaxed Sunday brunch with newspapers, simple food and a well constructed Bloody Mary.

For further information, including their full menu and details on private dining, visit their Website.