Braseria, La Reviews

Today we went to La Braseria for a New Year's Eve meal and I must say that the food was superb. Various members of the group had fish; some had sirloin steaks and the others chicken. I had never seen such a big hake in all the times I've eaten out. The quality of the food was superb. Additionally the food was very hot, fresh and the service was also great too. Before we sat down to eat we went next door to La Prensa for beautiful coffees and Spanish beer. I cannot wait to go again in 2009.

If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy a long, atmospheric lunch - then Braseria is definitely the place. I love eating there, especially on a Saturday afternoon whilst partaking in some retail therapy. Fair enough, you need to head there early, about 1pm, to guarantee yourself a table but I've never been disappointed. For larger parties, it is no problem to reserve a table in advance and in my opinion you can't beat the food there. All cooked fresh to order and for the bargain lunchtime two course menu price of £8.50.

Yes sometimes the waiters can be slow and a bit abrupt, but it's never spoilt my meal and because of its popularity, I don't think I'm the only one who shares this view. Evening meals are far more expensive so be aware of the difference in price depending on what time of day you want to go, but with the array of fresh meat, fish and salads on offer, not to mention their infamous garlic bread, this place never disappoints. There are not many places like this that I've found around the UK and trust me, I've looked. A real find!

Their service is quite disappointing. The lunches are fine and reasonably priced, but I suggest you don't order a glass of wine that isn't house wine as the bill can shoot up. The place is full of people who don’t line up to choose their food and you can't reserve a table either. For such basic food, I think you end up paying way too much for a bit of ambience.

In a group of thirty people, we sat on three separate tables, but were all given the same table number. When queuing for food, the staff behind the counter moaned because all of us had the same table number. I tried to pour a bottle of wine but a waiter shouting it was his job snatched it out of my hand. The food was ok, but overpriced. You can get steak and chips in a pub for a third of the price. The atmosphere in the evening is nice.

The seafood was very good and so were the steaks. The wine choice was excellent but service was bad and our bill included items we had not ordered. We used to enjoy there, but now the place has become busy and too much hassled.

I had a very disappointing time at this restaurant. I was under the impression that La Braseria was one of the best places to dine in the area, but the food was very plain and all served on a hot plate and the staff made us feel like we had to leave as soon as possible in case anyone else wanted our table! Plus we had to wait ages for our main course.

I also was a regular of the Bras but after booking a table on a Saturday evening and being treated terribly I feel it will be a very long time before I go back. We a party of 7 and had booked a table when we arrived we were ushered upstairs to then be told the small table in a corner barely big enough for 4 was for us. We pointed out that this surely can not be for us and they said yes that was all they had!! After much discussion they finally moved us to another 4 seated table with a small table placed on the end which had no room to place your legs under. The staff then spent most of the night running past us!! The food was good but with such bad service it did put a dampener on the night.

Cramped and unfriendly, the owner hovers around your table together with the waiters to hurry you along. Last meal I had there was sent back, I received an acknowledgement of the complaint together with complimentary cheese and biscuits, no attempt to recompense my hunger with a replacement meal. Most discourteous staff. Eat there at your peril!

I was formerly a regular at the Bras; however, after two rather disappointing visits, I no longer am. On the weekend, the place is packed (which says a lot about the quality of the food), but the service at such peak times is abysmal to say the least. Waiters constantly hover around the closely laid out tables, making you feel quite uncomfortable at times. The last visit I had, the restaurant owner asked us (a party of 6) to leave because he wanted the table for the next group - we had only been there for 1 1/4 hours and had not even finished our wine!

Previously, we have had orders confused, have ended up with food belonging to other tables or have had courses which have never turned up - without apology from any of the staff either, I hasten to add! I would also suggest that you scrutinise your bill before you pay too - I have had mysterious items (including extra bottles of wine) appear on several occasions!