These days in Nanjing, one is hard pressed to go out for lunch or dinner and not spend ¥200 per head. Anywhere decent, that is.
Hence it was a pleasant to be meandering through the MixC downtown and come across the signage advertising such outside Brut Eatery Wine Bar & Restaurant.
With nine outlets in Shanghai and one in Chengdu, Brut’s set menu, in Nanjing at least, has diners choosing one appetiser, one main and one drink. For The Nanjinger, that meant the Flank Steak Veggie Plate, normally ¥39 and priced à la carte at ¥72 for a full portion; and the Onsen Egg Carbonara Linguine, ¥50 if that’s all one wants.
This particular combination, however, would have any one diner consuming the produce of one entire cherry tomato tree and arugula plant.
Those seeking more friendly relations with the world of flora may start by looking elsewhere in the appetiser section of the menu, where, somewhat sadly, the only other option is a Chicken Breast Caesar Salad, regularly priced at ¥30.
But the quality of the meat in the Flank Steak is indeed most worthy of mention, while the dish is rounded out with purple cabbage, pumpkin and those cherry tomatoes, with a honey lemon vinaigrette. All were most satisfying, while a half portion would be more than enough as an appetiser.
When it comes to the main course, onsen egg is often touted as having silky-smooth whites and creamy yolks. For some, however, that’s just going to mean “uncooked egg”.
Indeed, it should be said that the pasta, now cold, smothered by raw egg white did leave a little-less enjoyable after taste.
Those not seeking to withstand should head elsewhere on the set menu, opting perhaps for an Italian Meat Linguine, Tomato Coconut Stew or Beef Green Pepper Egg Rice, all for between ¥48 and ¥58 if dining à la carte.
To drink, choose from Americano, Latte, Osmanthus Americano, Chill Out Tea, Orange Ginger Hot Tea or a soft drink. All well and good in theory, except for the fact, and here’s the catch, The Nanjinger was only offered the soft drink option. Them bad.
Brut Eatery Wine Bar & Restaurant is located at L163, L1F, The MixC, 666 Zhongshan Nan Lu, Qinhuai 市秦淮区中山南路666号南京万象天地C座1楼L163室. Tel 82210190
