Browns (Covent Garden)

I was at Browns last night - good food was spoilt by appalling service.

We were kept waiting for 45 minutes for our drinks, desite chasing them up three times. To make things even worse, the wine was not properly chlled!

After this, we finally got our food orders taken as well - though there was another long wait for the food to arrive.

To begin with, the restaurant was fairly busy and the staff seemed more focused on seating new customers than serving the ones already there. Even when the crowd thinned out, the service did not improve.

This was a shame as I have been to Browns several times before - although the service is never great, this was a lot worse than I have seen before.

On a more positive note, the food was good (as usual) - it's just a pity that the evening was spoilt by the service. I would avoid Browns Covent Garden unless you have a great deal of time and patience!
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Dave
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, April 11, 2008

We went to browns for pre-theatre and were very disappointed with the experience.

When we arrived the waitress, rather than reciting or reading the specials, just presented us with a folded a4 piece of paper with the specials scribbled on it.

Two of the main courses were cooked incorrectly - the rack of lamb came out blue after being ordered as medium rare, and the steak came rare (and very tough) despite being ordered medium. The potato dauphinoise with the lamb just tasted of garlic, which overpowered the whole dish.

When it came to desert, the waitress didn't write down the order, and we were presented with the wrong food.

It was disappointing as I have been to browns before and it been good; and it is good value for money when the food is cooked properly (and when you get what you order).
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Luke
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Saturday, February 16, 2008

We went there on new years eve. Service fantastic and the food great. Would definitely return and recomment it.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 11, 2008

I hav ebeen going there for more than 10 years, the food is good and not too expensive. The atomosphere is nice and I can safely say that this place can be absolutely fantastic - if you get a good waiter/waitress.

On one occasion (as a matter of a fact, it was my birthday), even though we had made a reservation, we had to wait for 40 minutes to be seated. Then when we ordered our food we had to wait further 40 minutes! Needless to say, no apologies at all, and even the waiter did not give us the change of 8 quids back. When we pointed out he simply said "I thought it was my tip" And this is after they charged us the compulsory "service charge" Grrrrr! And I must say I and my friends have received similar bad services on some occasions.

Don't go in there if it is a special occasion - don't risk. And if you find your waiter/waitress rude, just walk out. Don't even bother to ask to change your table - even you complain camly, the manager will never take it nicely.
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Hiro
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 5
Monday, December 24, 2007

Went with a Friend to Brown's in Covent Garden last night.

The food was good and the service was also very good
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Gareth
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Just have to say although it's a chain, it really does depend on location. I had a fantastic experience at the much smaller and intimate Mayfair Browns.

Sorry I can't say the same for Covent Garden - perhaps it's the sheer scale - echoes bouncing off the high ceilings, cheesy piano player, and strange dim lighting..

Have been to this location twice once midweek, a second time on the weekend. Pretty similar experiences - felt like I was in a rushed factory of tourist and theatre goers. Food was okay, not bad at all, but lukewarm..

Although a busy tourist area there are loads of other great eateries that offer decent food in a better atmosphere -
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LoveGoodFood - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, November 02, 2007

this is the second time i have eaten here and the second time i have been impressed. the asparagus tart was delicious as was the cheese pasta parcels i had as a starter. i definitely recomend the pre or post theatre meal deal as two courses for £13 is excellent value especially when the food is so tasty. (whoever suggested sharing a starter and a dessert with a friend- thanks! great idea)

watch out on the alcohol- pushes the prices up rather but if you prefer a non-alcoholic selection, they provide a good range of fruit juices (you can mix them up too!)

our waitress was very friendly but not over bearing and insisted that there was no rush for us to decide what we wanted, eat it or pay for it, which was a nice touch considering it got quite busy while my friend and i chomped and chatted slowly away.

my only real complaints are that the person who showed us to a table forgot to give up the pre/post theatre menu so we had to ask to look at it and the table next to us was really too close for comfort.

excellent restaurant though :)
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 31, 2007

A friend and I visited Browns on a Monday night just before going to the theatre. It wasn't busy and we were seated quickly. The waitress was efficient and told us the specials and when asked about dishes, she was knowledgeable and friendly. Maybe a bit too happy to help as she was hovering to take our order only a few minutes after being told the specials!

We decided on the two course pre/post theatre menu at £12.95 and decided to be extremely efficient by ordering a starter and desert each with our mains so we could share them both. The starter was the Belguim Endives with pancetta and goats cheese dressing with pine nuts and I was pretty disappointed with this to say the least - the leaves were scarce and the pancetta burnt to a crisp, it was a plain looking dish and boring mix of flavours as well. It sounded great and I expected better.

My friend had the seafood platter - this was pretty good - if you like lots of seafood. The problem with a lot of these mains on the pre/post theatre menu, are, that although the £12.95 price seems like a good deal, some don't come with sides or chips/mash - you need to order this separately and I presume this is where they make their money.

Overall, it was a pleasant dining experience but it was unfortunately let down by the previously efficient waitress not understanding how to work the card machine - our cards were voided and swiped and voided and swiped again and I did end up feeling sorry for the poor girl as she tried to muddle through it - why not ask a colleague for help or at least learn how to use it??

I used to go to Browns all the time whilst in the Covent Garden area as I do genuinely like the atmosphere, the food and the whole restaurant, but I do think they need to iron out these really minor negative issues in order to maintain their reputation. It only takes a few of these reviews online for people to start avoiding a place - I know I heed personal experiences when considering a venue to part with my hard earned London money!!
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Rita
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 12, 2007

I simply adore this restaurant and enjoy taking my children too. They are able to eat proper 'adult' food in child portions and for great value for money. The menu is always delightful and the atmosphere is hospitable and charming.

My children give it ten thumbs up!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 24, 2007

We ate here before a visit to the ENO. Arriving just before 6 as advised, the service was great - speedy and friendly and we fitted in two courses before the theatre started at 7. Good, comforting food. The pre-theatre menu is great value for money at under £11 for two courses.
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Rebecca Wilson
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 17, 2007