  |
|
        |
 |
|
|
|
“Who would have thought…that a feted Chester restaurant should choose not to rest on its laurels, but go all out to compete with new ventures in the area and often win? Mousier Blantot, director of the venerable 134 year old Parisian establishment, Brasserie Boffinger, has a point to make about brasseries. He said “One of the most important things about a brasserie, it must always be busy” And 10-16 was certainly busy. The staff were warm, welcoming and informal: “Can I take your coats you guys?”. There was also a definite air of French chic with the black uniforms and extremely pretty waitresses. The windows had that steamed up quality; very English and autumnal, making us happy we’d brought the car rather than walked. But the food nudged Brasserie 10-16 firmly back over the Channel. Starters included soup, crostini, salmon, pork, duck and goats cheese. Mains included sea bass as well as red snapper, organic chicken and lamb. There are special offers midweek and lunchtimes, Sunday lunch and even a Champagne brunch menu. The ideas and energy jump off the page, making choosing a dish extremely difficult, so I waited for everyone else to do the hard bit, had a Bofinger flashback and ordered a fillet steak. “Medium rare, please” I said when asked... First there were some lovely starters to consume. Linda’s pumpkin soup (£3.50) was declared “very good” with P informing everyone that “it looks like the sort of soup Helen makes”. I think he meant it looked home-made, which I’m sure it was; consommé-like, with lumps of unprocessed pumpkin giving it plenty of texture. Ian chose smoked salmon with horseradish crème friache, which, I’m ashamed to say, I forgot to ask his opinion of... My wild mushroom tart (£5.95) had chopped, firm mushrooms and a huge dollop of mascarpone on top. Pesto was dribbled around the edge, like a green halo. The only reason I left a portion of it on the plate was because it was such a generous size. Rounding off our high quality selection was P’s confit salmon and prawn rilettes with a mini tapenade crostini set at a jaunty angle on top, like a wafer in an ice cream (£4.75). I would have been just as happy with his choice as mine. Actually I think the rillettes had the edge.”... The sea bass with risotto nero, seared sea scallop and leeks (£15.95) was a resounding success; fresh, interesting and perfect for a seafood lover like Linda. P’s Moroccan spiced rump of lamb with chick pea tagine (£16.95) was full of fresh mint flavour and fat free, pink in the middle meat. Ian’s breast of duck, Toulouse sausage and white bean cassoulet (£15.95) sounded to me like the most authentic brasserie dish on the table and again, was stylishly presented, well cooked and confident dish.My fillet steak didn’t spring any surprises. It had a lovely charred flavour on the outside, but was pink, not bloody, inside. I’d chosen pepper sauce as an accompaniment, from a selection that included garlic mayonnaise and Café de Paris butter and abandoned chunky potato wedges in favour of rocket and parmesan salad. It was all very impressive...” Good Food Guide 2006 Lively modern venue that makes a handy addition to the Chester scene. Menus scan the global brasserie repertoire, homing in on dishes like Louisiana prawn remoulade with Cajun tomato sauce (£4.25), tapas, and grilled salmon with Greek salad before heading home for Cumberland sausage with mash, and desserts such as sticky toffee pudding with toffee sauce (£3.50). "Lite" lunch dishes form £3; house wines from £9.95. Daily Post Review "...When it [Brasserie 10-16] opened in November 2000, the partners’ vision was to create a contemporary venue focused on fine dining in a relaxed environment. A quick glance at the menu suggests they have pulled it off. Dishes do not fall into any specific geographical category with traditional British favourites nestling alongside Oriental, Italian and Mediterranean concoctions. There’s also 10 of Brasserie 10-16’s own special signature dishes. Choice is not only there in the food but also the price, with meals for every budget as well as palate….When I opened my mouth, the words brie and bacon Bruschetta with tomatoes and parsley oil (a bargain £3.95) tumbled onto her notepad. It would be spicy potato wedges with salsa and lime sour cream for him (£3.95). Both dishes were winners…. ….Ignoring any post-Christmas conscience telling me to eat something healthy, I was hypnotised by the prospect of fillet beef with mashed potatoes, faggots, peas and mustard dumplings (£18.50). For him? The rump of lamb Nicoise with garlic mash, artichokes, fine beans, tomatoes and basil oil. We were assured side orders would not be necessary. When my main course arrived, I could have folded right on into it….It was comfort food at its finest, heavy in a good way….And the beef itself was divine and tender. The lamb was winning rave reviews from the other side of the table….Normally at this stage I would be getting the cash out to go but something about Brasserie 10-16 willed me to keep eating and try and give the delectable desserts a try. Encouraged by the waitress’s assertion that it was not "too much for two people" we ordered the dessert plate – scaled down portions of cheesecake, sticky toffee pudding, truffle au chocolate, profiteroles and banoffee ice cream (£8.90). Words do not describe how fantastic this turned out to be, if hugely filling and no doubt calorific. Foregoing coffee, we asked for our bill and were swiftly on our way out and once more hitting the streets of Chester…" Daily Telegraph Weekend Supplement "Informal light and airy – and much calmer that it looks from the outside. Cuisine: Eclectic Anglo-Med…" Daily Mail "Brasserie 10-16 has a fine fusion of British and Mediterranean cooking as well as a dash of Oriental…" |
|
