D'Browes

6.5 Recommended

Food  10      Ambience  9      Service  5      Value  2     

I went to D'Browes for dinner with a small appetite and a small amount of cash. Deciding that the soup of the day, $10.70 on the entrees menu, would suffice, I ordered it for my main. I meant, of course, that I would like the entree but for it to be brought out with the mains. Someone (not sure if it was the wait person or the kitchen staff) totally misinterpreted this and when the bill came I found that it had been charged as a main. "All the mains are the same price," the waitress advised, and my $10.70 bowl of chick pea and tomato soup cost me $27.50.

Now it was delicious soup, but I would certainly not pay $27.50 for it, especially as that was more that I had brought with me, and for the life of me I cannot see how it is even reasonable to charge the same price for a bowl of chick peas and tomatoes as for a whole trout, a duck Maryland or a massive pork cutlet, which are some of the other mains available.

We then queried the corkage charge of $16, as only one bottle of wine was drunk by four of the six people at our table. The waitress advised that corkage was determined by the number of tablecloths on the table and the longer the table, the more tablecloths were required, and the more would be charged for corkage (does that make it a laundering charge, not a corkage charge?). I said "So are you seriously telling us that the corkage being charged here has absolutely nothing to do with the number of bottles opened or the number of glasses used?" and she said "Yes".

I know that an earlier review on this site mentioned this, but my party found it a totally bizarre concept. The food was delicious but the ridiculous corkage charge explanation and the pricing audacity of the soup means that I will never go to D'Browes again, which is a shame.

Dec 02, 2011 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  8     

I have been there many times when passing through Canberra, and always look forward to a consistently high quality lunch with pleasant and efficient service. It is now also my 90 year old mother's favourite restaurant!

May 18, 2011 

9.3 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  10     

My husband and I are regulars at Dbrowes and why would we go anywhere else? The food is divine, the staff are just lovely, the owner makes you feel right at home he even has a glass of wine with us! Dbrowes is one of the few places in Canberra which shows value for money. We will continue to return and would recommend it to anyone! Thanks Dbrowes we adore you!

Mar 03, 2011 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  9      Value  10     

I have eaten here on many ocassions and seriously love the place. My favourite is the pork followed by the shanks. I seriously do not understand why people feel they need to give negative comments when this restaurant is definite value for money. I recently took a large work group here (23) who loved it. Obviously you are going to get one or two dishes you are not happy with and would not maybe choose again, but the choice is yours.

If you think you are going to get 5 star fancy maybe not but who cares the food is great and servings are fabulous and the chef cares about what you think. Boo Who to those who think having your main on a big plate, fancy and hardly anything on it is the way to go! who are you kidding. I have eaten at a 5 star restaurant in Canberra and sat chewing my little bit of meat because it was tough. This will never happen at D'browse because it is so tender. Great quality food and service is what we enjoy and this is what you get at D'browse.

Dec 15, 2010 

5.8 Average

Food  6      Ambience  6      Service  6      Value  5     

We had a group of 5. Each of us ordered entree and main. The food was ok, but did not really surprise me and partner that much. Service is prompt. Dessert is too big for one person. Fortunately, I shared with my partner (considering we have 2 courses before this). I really think D'Browes is really over-rated.

May 03, 2010 

8.8 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  7      Service  9      Value  10     

This must be Canberra's best kept secret. We tried it after the two earlier glowing reviews and have come away with an even higher opinion. We arrived without any wine, not knowing it was BYO only. Our waiter noticed that and advised to pop around the corner to a supermarket to buy, we made it just before closing.

The menu was full of tempting dishes, and as we saw some of the main courses coming out, we knew that we would not be going hungry. The waiter then told us of all the specials for the night. so we (two), elected to have 5 entrees plus dessert, Chicken livers with bacon and tomato, penne with gorganzola, fresh sardines, salmon filled pasta and tempura prawns, tartufo and poached pears.

The bill came to less than $100. Whilst the restaurant is listed as modern Australian, there is definitely an Italian theme. A return visit a certainty when next in Canberra.

Mar 08, 2010 

9 Highly Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  10      Value  9     

We had an absolutely wonderful dining experience here. The service was very friendly and the food was just divine, I had never thought I'd be able to finish such a large serving, but I felt like licking my plate when I finished! We didn't have to wait long for our food at all and the friendly chef came to bring out our food himself. And what delighted me most was how kid-friendly they were. They offered my 4yo a healthy kids-sized pasta, custom made to our preferences.

It was not an intimidating portion as they serve kids in some places, but not too small either. She ate all of it (though not before we'd had a taste, it was very yummy and fresh), which is unheard of. Great value for money and excellent dining experience by all standards! I have had bad experiences with staff of restaurants in this price class showing disapproval at bringing children into the restaurant, so I was relieved that it was not an issue here and we did not have to miss out on the great food.

Apr 23, 2009 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Damien Browes (ex Marrinetti's Oconnor) is very much suited to life behind the stoves, although is also the type of chef who will work the room and engage with a seemingly large contingent of regulars. D'browes is high-quality home style cooking, great value for $$ with emphasis on italian flavours and portion sizes. Corkage is actually $6 per tablecloth and one should save room for desserts, the profiteroles (aka bongo bongo from oconnor) are a meal in themselves!

Nov 17, 2008