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Nottingham Restaurants

Tom Browns

  • Gunthorpe, Nottinghamshire
    Nottingham
  • 0115 966 3642
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Tom Browns

Old School HouseMore Photos
Tom Browns has been established as a restaurant for many years and has always delivered fine quality food. I can’t think that we’ve ever dined there and felt disappointed by the quality of the food. The restaurant is housed in a converted Victorian School House and was called “Tom Browns” after the eponymous novel by Thomas Hughes. I guess the Restaurant has a strange configuration with the “original unit” sporting a ground and mezzanine floor and the annex providing a newish access and reception area. The mezzanine offers great views across to the River Trent and the restaurant itself has a boutique style to it.

The school-house is situated in the Trent-side village of Gunthorpe. The village has some history and was established by the Danes as they sailed up the River Trent. Gunthorpe was the site of a strategic crossing point that had existed back in Roman times. Indeed it is reported that it was here that Queen Boudicea defeated a Roman Legion after a fierce fight.

The first bridge at Gunthorpe was built in 1873 on that historic site and you had to pay for the privilege of crossing the Trent with charges varying from one old penny
for people (whether they be passengers or on foot) and 12 old pence (one shilling) for horse and carriage. An Act of Parliament allowed for the compulsory purchase by local councils and in 1925 the present bridge was the first toll-free bridge replacing a Toll Bridge.

There are a few picturesque cottages in the village but it’s really an excellent place to take a wander along the water’s edge, past the lock (a busy place for boats and a popular overnight mooring). But back to the warmth and comfort of Tom Browns!

On entering the restaurant there’s a small reception and lounge area where you can relax, enjoy a pre-meal drink before being escorted to your table. Tom Brown’s is a place that it’s almost critical that you book in advance, as even at lunchtime or early evening it gets busy. They offer “early bird” meals at special rates (£13.95 for a two course and £15.95 for three courses) and that makes for good value as the quality and presentation is superb. The service is always very professional with the front of house staff making real determined efforts to make everyone feel special. That’s no mean feat but I reckon that they’ve achieved their goal every time that I’ve visited.

There is a comprehensive menu available with a fine cellar of wines (ranging from £13 for a decent Shiraz up to £125 for Pichon-Longueville Baron 2ème Cru 1992). Needless to say we haven’t tried the top priced bottle! Yet!!

For food Tom Browns’ spiced fishcakes with a mango chutney are superb starters but I also love the home smoked duck breast with an orange salad and raspberry vinaigrette. As I main course you can’t beat the lamb or for the unusual chicken breast stuffed with black pudding although the fish at Tom Browns is always beautifully prepared. For pudding I’d recommend you try their bread and butter or sticky toffee pudding – traditional puds with a twist.

The ambience of Tom Browns is second to none and although parking at the restaurant can be a bit tight (they only have space for about 6 cars) and you’ll need to use the large pay and display car park opposite. It’s a very short walk across the village road to the restaurant’s entrance.

To top off their ever growing reputation they were, in 2006, voted ITV's Central News 'Viewers Restaurant of the Year' and, as a result entered into Egon Ronay's Guide. The following year Tom Browns was entered into the AA Restaurant guide.

Remember if you want to try it book and if it’s around a national holiday (particularly Easter, Christmas and the like) then you’ll need to ring several weeks in advance.

From journal Trentside and A Few Meals Out