Brasserie Gerard Newbury

‘Bof!’ to the British gastro revival – we Brits will always crave ‘simple French food’, the stock in trade of Brasserie Gérard (Chez G’s cheaper sibling). The brand eschews brass rails & café-curtain clichés in favour of a brighter, more contemporary look that plays well in the affluent south of England where most of its branches are clustered. Food is served all day – as is the French way – starting with breakfasts of, for example, saucisse baguettes, omelettes or croissants, & finishing over helpings of cassoulet de canard, moules marinière, retro crêpes suzette & bottles of reasonable vin rouge. In between, expect to find decent-value ‘prix fixe’ menus (£12.95/16.50 for two/three courses) & ‘snacks rapides’ such as croque monsieur or steak-frites, plus a good selection for les petits enfants.