Malmaison Brasserie

Great Western House, 18-20 Station Road Reading Berkshire RG1 1JX

Tel 0118 956 2300
Web www.malmaison-reading.com
Brasserie: Mon-Sun 7am-10am, noon-2.30pm, 6pm-11pm; Bar: Mon-Sun 10am-midnight; Café: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm

Nestled within the Malmaison Reading, a former railway hotel, walking through Malmaison's doors you're immediately brought back to the golden age of railway, when it was romantic and steam powered and not about replacement bus services. Built by the legendary engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1844, the former Great Western Rail Hotel has been painstakingly refurbished and given a chic decor which fits perfectly with the building's history.

But the Malmaison brasserie is no place for trainspotters. Embracing the ethos Malmaison is known for - a decadent menu filled with unusual unctuous flavour combinations, stunning minimalist interiors, comfy, funky furniture, quirky design elements (we love the glass wine cellar which, sitting in one corner is almost a feature of the room) and a merging of the best of French and British.

The dishes are simple and stunningly prepared - all using ethically produced local ingredients where possible.

Picking from their constantly changing seasonal menu is truly a treat. Our favourite dishes include paillard of monkfish, served with roasted sweet corn chowder and frog leg beignets, and the slow cooked butterworth’s beef shin served with mustard mash, and bourguignon sauce. Whatever your choice, make sure you save room for dessert, with the chilled kiwi soup, white chocolate flottante and vanilla vermicelli proving especially memorable, although lingering over a selection of cheeses served with home made bread to enjoy a final glass of wine gets our vote.

Whether you're out with friends, enjoying a business lunch or having a special dinner for two, this is a high class but relaxed place to enjoy some wonderful food.

• Family Friendly
• Late Servings
• Healthy Choices
• Vegetarian

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