New Street Brasserie, Chelmsford

I've now been to the New Street Brasserie in Chelmsford twice, once with a large group and yesterday with just four and both times the service was great, very friendly, the food fantastic and a very reasonable price (although I didn't go for the al la carte menu). Only reason it doesn't get a better score is because I like real ale and the don't serve it. Apart from that couldn't fault it.

Felt a bit disappointed with this restaurant. Service is not with a smile and it's nice sometimes for the service to check if everything is ok. Not with this restaurant I'm afraid. The food looks good on the menu. Both my starter and main came with bacon which was not stated on the list and to which I'm not partial to. You get the hint that they just wash off the bits you don't want and put it staight back onto the plate when it comes back out in less than a minute. Some of the sidelines were also raw. Anyway, you should get what you paid for. Average twenty five quid per head does not mean your going to get amazing food. Avoid this place if there are other reviews like mine.

New Street Brasserie - Interior is pleasant enough, although it is hard to see exactly what atmosphere they are trying to create. If you are private dining for two, it is hard to feel a great deal of privacy.

Food wasn't at all impressive - my roasted squab pigeon appetiser was ok, although the risotto it came with could have just been called 'cepe & parsley rice'. It was also served in a bowl (I guess they ran out of plates), which tends to hinder the use of a knife and fork for cutting meat. Not up to its 8 pound price tag.

I chose the grilled swordfish for main, which turned up dry and placed on top of some dry rice. Swordfish is quite popular at the moment and I have had better for the same price. It was also garnished with a sprinkling of salad around the edge of the plate, and an unimpressive cucumber salsa. Again not up to its 14 pound price tag.

With plenty of other nice restaurants in Chelmsford (that they seem to be trying to compete with), I would say they lose out.