The place to go (From Living Northeast)

The place to go

11:36am Wednesday 30th June 2010 in

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Brown’s Café & Grill is building a loyal following, Ruth Addicott talks to owner Andrew Brown to find out what sets it apart from the rest.

WHETHER you’re craving a coffee, a superfood salad for lunch or a 10oz sirloin steak in a stylish restaurant that is open until late, Brown’s Café & Grill has it all.

Nestled between the fashionable boutiques on Darlington’s glamorous Grange Road, Brown’s is the latest talking point among locals looking to unwind after a long day.

Owner Andrew Brown says his aim is to create a space which lends itself to the more modern approach to dining, offering a seamless flow from breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea to early evening drinks and dinner with char-grilled steaks and fish.

While the menu at Brown’s is a lot more imaginative than others – featuring everything from Malayan swordfish to Italian cottage pie topped with polenta – Andrew’s philosophy is to keep things fresh and simple, using as much local produce as possible.

“I’m supporting as many local food traders as possible,” he says. “My greengrocer, butcher and fishmonger are all within walking distance, as is the person who bakes the bread, makes the cheese and supplies the flowers.”

After winning a scholarship with Raymond Blanc and training at the famous Le-Manoir Aux Quat Saisons in Oxford, Andrew made his name at the County in Aycliffe Village, transforming it from “a spit and sawdust fighting pub” into a pub, highly regarded and loved for its food.

He sold the County in 2008 and took over The Treasure Inn in Darlington, re-opening it as Brown’s Café & Grill, in January.

“We’re building up a core of customers who like what we’re doing, I want it to have a local feel and for the people who come here to think it belongs as much to them as it does to me,” he says.

The menu has a wide price range from soup of the day at £4.95 to fillet steaks at £18.45, but if people just want a starter, the staff are happy to oblige.

Starters include dishes such as garlic king prawns with a tomato chilli and coriander sauce (£6.95), and smoked salmon and crayfish salad (£6.95). Mains include Chicken Francesca (chargrilled butterflyed chicken supreme topped with parma ham) at £12.95 and crisp skinned breast of barbary duck with sesame noodles, carrots, red cabbage and ‘crying’ tiger sauce for £15.95.

Within walking distance of the city centre and a menu that’s as imaginative as it is tasty, Brown’s is steadily building a name for itself.

■ Brown’s Café & Grill, 20 Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NG.

Tel: 01325-381722; brown’scafeandgrill.co.uk