Review: Browns, West India Quay

General manager Ana Azevedo explained why it’s the perfect place for that office party.

She said: “We’re large enough to cater for big groups, which is a plus because you won’t feel crammed in while enjoying your Christmas lunch but the ambience will make you feel festive.�

The Christmas lunch menu is excellent value, with portions to make even Santa think twice about sneaking in another mince pie on his rounds. All the dishes are beautifully presented, as you would expect from a restaurant with Browns’ reputation.

Starters include Game Terrine, a thick slab of meaty succulence served with a black cherry and onion compote, a moreish Goats Cheese And Black Olive Tart and some excellent Smoked Salmon.

For mains you could stick to the traditional Turkey Dinner but being more adventurous will see you well rewarded.

Grilled Salmon makes a lighter alternative, perfectly complemented with an oyster mushroom sauce, while vegetarians could opt for the Baked Gem Squash, a melt-in-the-mouth melange of squash, woodland mushrooms and tomato and rocket coulis. And the Confit Of Duck is richer than a Canary Wharf banker but it’s gaminess is not overpowering.

But if you really want to fill your boots then the Beef Wellington fits the bill. A cloud of light puff pastry cracks open to reveal a thick, juicy piece of beef moistened with a delicious layer of paté. An easy dish to get wrong but this really hits the spot.

All the mains come with seasonal vegetables – parsnips, roast potatoes, carrots and brussels sprouts.

If you have any room left dessert does not disappoint. Go with the Christmas Pud; a mountainous Sticky Toffee Pudding; or a Traditional Cheeseboard, but particularly good is the Christmas Cheesecake, its cinnamon and raisin flavours make it a genuine seasonal treat.

The restaurant is open on Christmas Day, for those who can’t or won’t cook, with some special additions to the menu, including succulent baked monkfish in prosciutto and roast rack of lamb to tempt the turkey-phobes.