CÔTE Brasserie’s Prix Fixe menu is well pitched, and very reasonably priced.
Available from noon until 7pm, it is served alongside the restaurant’s main À La Carte menu.
And it’s très tasty.
Sampling it at Côte Wokingham early on a Monday evening, the brasserie was pleasantly lively, with a warm buzz.
Light and airy inside, with subtle colours and big modern mirrors, the restaurant is chique enough for everyone to feel comfortable, without being overwhelming.
And it does feel somehow French.
The brasserie evidently appeals to a wide range of people.
Other diners included: a trio of ladies, a larger group of young colleagues, a family with children, and a number of couples, while in the room next door, a party momentarily paused their meal for the birthday song.
Dishes were attractively presented, with a menu to suit a range of diners.
And staff were friendly and attentive, with dishes arriving in good time.
The set menu offers a choice of four starters, four mains and four desserts.
We sampled starters; pear and walnut salad, and smoked salmon fish cake.
“A satisfying salad, quite rich and tasty, and it really does taste French,” was the verdict on the pear and walnut salad.
And, “A winning combination, fresh, and with just a hint of blue cheese.”
The fish cake had a lovely, subtle flavour, and was perfectly cooked.
Crispy on the outside, its accompanying mustard seed, capers and challot sauce enriched without dominating.
Main courses; roasted butternut squash, and steak frites, were the next items trialled.
Again, both of these were well-presented, and cooked to perfection.
The steak was a generous size, finely cut, and nicely grilled to medium rare, with a delicate garlic butter garnish.
Peppery and juicy, it was accompanied by a very fresh rocket salad, and hot, crispy french fries.
The vegetarian roasted butternut squash looked very appetising, was nicely pan grilled, with a hint of French North African spice.
Firm and tasty, it rested on a bed of lentils and tomato sauce, and was topped with warm Tunisian harrisa coconut yogurt garnish.
The first two courses were impressive, and the anticipated desserts did not disappoint.
Plum clafoutis, its almond custard baked to an almost sponge texture was fruity and warm, and accompanied by an intense berry coulis, and creamy vanilla ice cream.
The other dessert trialled, an authentic French crèpe au chocolat, brought back memories of trips to Brittany.
It arrived with a warm and smooth chocolate sauce, and more chocolate hidden inside the folded pancake.
Topped with fresh, sweet blackberries, subtle orange crème fraîche, it lso had a sprinkling of mint leaves.
Far from being heavy, as chocolate desserts can sometimes be, this was made light and delicious with the addition of the fruity flavours.
Both reviewers very much enjoyed all of the courses, and felt the Prix Fixe Menu is not only delicious, but very reasonably priced.
At £20.95 for three courses, or two for £16.95, the menu is well-balanced and tasty, with the addition of some classy touches that lift it to another level.
It’s perfect for lunch or an early evening meal with friends, family, and colleagues.
To win one of ten free three course meals, people are invited to send images of their unappetising work lunches to Côte’s Instagram, where followers will vote for the worst.
The Prix Fixe menu has been designed by Côte executive chef Steve Allen who has previously worked alongside Gordon Ramsay.
Gluten free, vegan, and vegetarian options can all be catered for, and the Prix Fixe is available Monday to Friday from noon until 7pm, with the exclusion of bank holidays.
For information and to book a table at Côte Wokingham, on Broad Street, visit: www.cote.co.uk or call: 0118 979 9194
To enter the Instagram competition, visit: www.instagram.com/coteuk
