Browns Bristol, Bristol

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Blackthorn _ left this review about Browns Bar & Brasserie

An impressive an imposing building in a central location near the top of Park Street, this was the university refectory in a former life but has now been put to much better use as a bar / restaurant. Although the emphasis here is very much on food, there is nonetheless a dedicated area for drinkers in the front of the pub and there are a good selection of taps on the bar, albeit mostly dispensing continental lagers. The steps leading down to the street are also a popular spot with drinkers wanting some sun and/or a smoke.

It's a large, open room with very high ceilings and glimpses of the stonework from which the building is constructed. Large stone arches at the back are an interesting feature, as are many of the elaborate stone window frames and these even extend in to the gent's loos. Other than that, the décor has a somewhat colonial feel to it with wood flooring, rotating fans hanging from the ceiling, large globe lights and various vegetation around, both on the floor and in hanging baskets.

Food menu was extensive and offered a good selection of dishes, although prices were clearly more restaurant like than pub like, with most of the main courses being somewhere around the £10 - £15 price range, plus another £3 or so if you wanted any side orders. That said, our starter of Prosciutto & Chorizo Flatbread was a decent enough dish and plenty to share, and a Fish Pie for main course was also very good. Regrettably they had run out of the Salted Caramel Cheesecake which was disappointing.

Beers on tap were Butcombe and Doom Bar. The solitary cider was Aspall's Suffolk. Service was friendly and attentive, although perhaps in a slightly artificial way – think TGI Friday’s. Overall though, we enjoyed our visit and ate some good food. And in spite of it being primarily a restaurant, there is nonetheless a bar area and a couple of real ales on.

On 4^th October 2012 - rating: 7
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