We ate in Brasserie66 on a cold, rainy December evening. Our coats and umbrellas were wet but there was no cloakroom available so the four of us sat with our wet coats on the backs of the chairs or lying on the banquette.
The dining...area is pleasant but the tables could have been farther apart. As there was room to do so, we moved our table to create better distancing.
I had a half-pint (28cls) of stout before we ordered food. The beer was inexpertly poured and had not been allowed to rest before topping off so that it was flat and tasted metallic.
The menu was the “December Menu” and cost 50 Euro per person (plus supplements) for three courses. Few people eat three courses; we normally do not. We would have walked out and gone elsewhere at this point but it was lashing down with rain outside. The choice was four starters, four mains, and four desserts (or an unspecified "Christmas" cocktail). The celeriac soup was delicious and was served at a perfect temperature; the baked beetroot starter was very tasty. The rest of the starters were instantly forgettable.
For mains, I had “Dorade” (gilthead or sea bream); this had none of the flavour of fresh-caught fish and I guess it was farmed. It had been over-cooked and then (in my opinion) left in a warming oven or over a pot of hot water so the skin was soggy and peeling off; the flesh was flaccid and had a greyish tinge. The roasted salmon was acceptable. The Rib-Eye steak (ten Euro supplement) was pronounced “stringy” and “chewy”. The Rump Steak was “nice”. Sides were OK but cooked with little or no imagination. Were the “Skinny Fries” out of a bag in the freezer? They looked and tasted as if they were. The three other sides were: roasted sprouts; chargrilled broccoli; and creamed potato. The sprouts were OK but nothing more, the broccoli was left on the grill too long and was woody with a bitter flavour. One side each; extra sides are five Euro per.
Desserts lacked flair; the banana bread was dry, had absolutely no banana flavour, and was served with a sickly-sweet sauce that almost certainly came out of a tin or a bottle. A dash of cream tasted like canned cream. This dessert was pushed to one side after tasting but was eaten by the others at the table (who have a sweet tooth). One of the four desserts was a cheese board (ten Euro supplement).
The least expensive wine on the menu was just under 30 Euro. We drank a Spanish Verdejo at 31 Euro which was potable but no better than a mid-range, eight-or-nine Euro wine from a supermarket or off-licence.
We were on a night out after the Covid19 shutdown so we had a little too much wine.
The staff members were scurrying around and seemed to be on a learning curve. Overall, they were pleasant but not very professional. We did not complain as it seemed there was no point. The group at a nearby table discussed the food and the service in unflattering terms.
Conclusion; Poor value for money and a disappointing (much-anticipated) night out. The background music was weird and too loud which, in turn, had people talking too loud. The noise seemed to resonate from the hard surfaces and made conversation difficult.
Toilet (washroom) facilities were very good, clean, and well-lit but definitely not wheelchair accessible. There may be disabled facilities on the level but we did not enquire.
My advice is to avoid this Brasserie in December and if you must go at another time, make sure there is an a la carte menu.More
