Grand Brasserie at St Pancras

The St. Pancras Grand Brasserie is part of the Searcy's Champagne Bars group and offers a range of high quality shellfish and seafood with champagnes and wines to match.  I have eaten here before and enjoyed their lunchtime special of oysters and champagne for a birthday celebration.  So, when the opportunity arose last night for another celebration I was more than happy to suggest we visit again.

The restaurant decor is very welcoming and relaxing on a cold winter night at St Pancras.  The station itself always creates a romantic image with its combination of history and modernity in the building and shops/restaurants. The brasserie adds even more with its art deco styling, dark wood furnishings embellished with plenty of brass.

The service was good from the first point of contact when I telephoned to book and explain the special dietary requirements of one of my guests (who cannot eat oil or butter). Friendly and helpful best describes the response.

 So, how about the food ?  Most of us went for the special menu which offered 2 courses for £15 or 3 courses for £19. With three of each starters, mains and puddings to choose from the choice was varied and interesting. I went for the cauliflower and nutmeg soup which was delicious, followed by the fresh Haddock with caper and sage butter.  The menu almost didn't do it justice as it also came with smooth creamed potatoes and curly kale (my favourite vegetable of the moment) which had been steamed perfectly.  The folded fillet of Haddock was succulent and glistening (a good sign that it's not overcooked), drizzled with the caper butter and topped with crispy Sage leaves (how did the chef do that ?).
Our 'non-oil diner' was treated to  steamed smoked haddock with crushed new potatoes and curly kale. None of us had room for a pudding.  The food was expertly prepared and presented and this menu represents amazing value for money - could be the best value in London.  We topped it off with a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and with the service charge it worked out about £25 per person.