The festive season is so much more than tucking into indulgent food.
It is also about enjoying quality time, be it a self-care session to feed your soul, or spending lazy, hazy afternoons with friends and family.
Luckily for us, the East Midlands is filled with lovely spaces to have a great time.
One such place is Browns, the super versatile brasserie, restaurant and bar based around 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Nottingham city centre.
I was in my heels when I sped-walked from Upper Parliament Street, which is why I consider Browns to be an oasis.
The restaurant sits on Park Row which is way quieter and more peaceful than any city centre based eatery.
It is also the perfect space to take a breath, relax and explore a cosy festive atmosphere.
Highlights for me include succulent slices of turkey, frozen salted caramel profiteroles given a nice Christmassy twist, and the classic tipple of Old Fashioned cocktail.
We had a booking for midday and the eatery was filled with a diverse crowd including couples, families and larger gatherings.
It does feel like a grand space. There are gorgeous chandeliers around the building and a mega sized clock that would not look out of place in Chef James Martin’s Saturday Morning show.
From food that feels joyous to eat, to a beautiful space that offers understated elegance, Browns Nottingham is a tip top place to be this festive season and beyond.
Festive menu of three courses, £45 per person, is available until Tuesday December 30, excluding Christmas Day.
You can see our review by photos below.
Location: Browns Brasserie & Bar, 20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR
For more information about Browns click here: browns-restaurants.co.uk
5. Browns Brasserie & Bar, 20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR
Starter of grilled goats cheese and maple fig salad drizzled with sherry vinegar dressing. It was hearty, tangy and delicious. I especially liked the combination of mildly bitter radicchio tempered by sweet honey. | Ria Ghei
6. Browns Brasserie & Bar, 20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR
Dining partner had oak-smoked salmon with orange braised cranberries. This starter is one for those who enjoy a dramatic flavour profile, as the rye bread's earthy notes accentuated the smoke. | Ria Ghei
7. Browns Brasserie & Bar, 20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR
Main of braised blade of beef was hearty and buttery soft to cut through. It sat pretty on a luxuriously creamy bed of mash, accompanied by sweet roast carrots, gloriously squidgy shallot and moreish red wine jus. | Ria Ghei
8. Browns Brasserie & Bar, 20 Park Row, Nottingham NG1 6GR
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without turkey. Browns Festive Turkey arrived with a medallion of cranberry stuffing and a pig in blanket. As I am a huge fan of punchy flavours, I enjoyed garlic-thyme roast potatoes. With the generous mini-mountain of fragrant maple roasted carrots and parsnips, and slivers of Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and red wine jus, this was a really enjoyable, hearty meal. (I did not eat anything for the rest of the day.) | Ria Ghei