Emma Location: 1 George Square, Glasgow Visited Feb 2013
We have nipped into Brown’s for drinks a few times due to their range of beers, cocktails and being slap bang in the middle of town so after seeing their 1973 birthday menu (and being a 1973 baby myself) how could we not go.
It was a spur of the moment decision a couple of weeks ago, fed up mid week, horrible weather, good menu so we went to Browns. Considering it was the night before valentines and horrendously wet outside, inside was busy but comfortable, cosy and some jazz piano playing to help chase away the blues (sorry bad one).
A cosy booth up the back meant that we had a good view of the kitchen area, I love watching professionals at work. Watching them buzz about and eyeing up the dishes as they pass by. I ordered an Gin and tonic (even asked what type of tonic as well as gin excellent!), other half needed a tea to warm up – a large pot of loose leaf earl grey appeared. He was a happy man.
The 1973 menu consists of two courses for two people for £19.73 a great choice (become a friend of Browns for this offer).
Whilst deciding what to have we plumped for a bread board (£4.95) which came with a selection of breads and flavoured butters as well as favoured salt. Great big chunks of bread.
I decided to go for the full on 70’s vibe and ordered King Prawn Cocktail with fresh seeded wholemeal bread and butter, Mr M ordered Salmon, smoked haddock and lobster croquettes on a bed of wilted spinach topped with yoghurt and caper dressing.
Marie rose sauce was zingy, nice kick to it and the added black pepper gave it good punch. Wholemeal bread was chunky and more than enough for the portion.
Croquettes were crispy and flavoursome with a light, fluffy centre. The caper dressing added some tartness to the fish.
Crab and King Prawn Linguine tossed in a lime, chilli and coriander pesto, Mr M went for Grilled Fillet of Sea Bass served on a bed of chick peas, red peppers, tomato, onion and garlic, topped with a yoghurt & caper dressing.
Wow, this was just like sticking your head into a bunch of coriander, such fresh smelling and tasting coriander. Just enough chilli to give it taste much not to over power. A good amount of prawns and the crab hugged the pasta . A great dish.
Another good portion here, a full fish!, the chick pea/vegetable base gave this dish a hint of a ruggedness, like a really thick vegetable stew. This balanced well with the moist sea bass meat and the crisp skin.
We added a Browns Eton Mess which had cherries, white chocolate, hazelnuts and clotted cream for £5.95 to share between us. Loved the cherries and sauce. We had a fight as to who was finishing this one off it was that creamy. The hazelnuts were a good addition, as Eton Mess can be a bit too much cream and not enough filling.
We finished with a West Indian Yellow Bird – Appleton Estate VX Rum, Koku Kanu Coconut Rum, Liquor 43 and Pineapple – £6.95 and a Honey Sour – Jack Daniels Honey with lemon and sugar served over ice with a merlot float – £6.95.
Both cocktails tasted excellent, you could taste the flavours of each addition. Well executed cocktails. Service was swift, helpful and not intrusive.
Thank you to Browns for waiving our bill on this occasion, which was a very pleasant surprise. This review has not been changed to reflect any payment, or incentive. We really did enjoy our meal, especially the pasta.
The food at Browns I’ve always found to be good , however as you didn’t see your bill you wouldnt have noticed the policy of automatically selling you a double gin. Apparently if you only wish a single you have to ask. Not sure about the dubious leaglity of this policy.