Brouge (The Old Goat), Restaurant, Pub, Twickenham

Figs wrapped in ham with goats cheese 

Updated VIsit: So this is another post on visit to Brouge which is more recent and I ate outdoors so I could get decent pics, my original write up is below and mentioned it was quite dark on my first visit. It's definitely an indulgent place to eat with these parma ham wrapped figs with goats cheese (you can't see the goats cheese but its definitely in there). They are good hearty servings, the figs  and the baked cheese and pastry tart (de-constructed) below were both starters with ample on offer - so very good value with these meals.
   

Baked cheese with pastry

The chic geek had the Fish pie as a main on this visit and I must admit on the day, it was the better of the two mains. I had the mussels previously and they hadn't been de-bearded very well on this occasion and weren't as good as my first visit and looked a little messy when presented. But the fish pie was deliciously creamy and cheesey with a typically French styled richness with herbs.  Of course we had to finish of with my nemesis, the Strawberry Waffle, this dessert goes without saying. When I come to Brouge it is a necessity that I order it, it puts me in a super natural state  every time. 

Brouge Fish Pie

Moules - A la creme

Brouge has decent and spacious outdoor seating area as well and with the copious amounts of different beers on offer is a great way to spend summer evenings. 

Strawberry Waffle (my nemesis)

My original Post  I may have to return to this impressive eatery during the day time to really capture the essence of the food (and I did as above :)). The Hollister styled lighting at the Old Goat gives a nice ambience however, my camera which normally works in low light, struggled with this one. 
I had a delightful surprise mothers day meal sprung upon me by my two 'Rascals'. I imagine it was probably one of the busiest days of the year for food service, and when we arrived it was bursting with crowded tables of families. I was pleased to see that they were serving their usual menu, not some mocked up, boarderl-ine boring, Sunday roast menu. We had plenty of time to enjoy a pint from their extensive list of beers, actually over 95 different types of which to choose, hooo weee! The serving staff was a particularly pleasant waitress who seemed very knowledgeable of the menu and was most helpful. However, I must admit food service was slow, to be expected, but when the food arrived, it was as good as any excellent French bistro. In spite of the pressure on possibly one of the busiest days of the year, the chef(s) didn't compromise on the quality of the food. It was slow yes, but the food superseded any delay. Funny that I particularly enjoyed the lettuce, something about the dressing, sweet, fresh, sharp very tasty. I started with the Pate, Rascal 1 had the Figs with Goat Cheese and Rascal 2 - Chilli Nacho's. Three different starters and all three delicious in their own right. I particularly liked the fig with goat cheese parma ham. You get the creamy saltiness of the cheese & parma with the sweet earthiness of the fig, it was actually sublime. I was envious of Rascal 1's choice, but equally happy with the Pate (Pate is my guilty pleasure, I must have it where ever I go). It was served with bread, one of which was crusted with poppy seeds - a winner in my book. The chilli nacho's were great too, super thick chips not soggy. 
For the mains it was Moules and Burger. Rascal 2 opted for a chicken burger and we had mussels two ways with frites. I opted for the Moules a la Creme and Rascal 1 had the Moules with Chorizo.
Out of the two Moules (both of which were delightful and tasty) I liked the cream based mussels. The sweet onions, savoury delicate mussels with the creme sauce add a sense of indulgence. If you're anything like me who doesn't eat a lot of cream - this is the meal you want to save your calories for. It was finger licking good, I have had Moules in Belgium and France etc etc. but these guys are the real McCoy. One must get involved, this is not a dish you want to fiddle about your cutlery with. I like to get stuck in and yes you might end up with half of your meal down your front and on your chin, but by golly its worth it, so don't be shy. 
Finish off the meal with any one of their sweets, our dessert du jour was the white cheesecake and a strawberry waffle. The stand out dishes are the true to type Belgium classics, the mussels and the waffles, but damn their other food is great too!
Lets face it, this is one of the best eatery's in Twickenham, and I'm already saving up those calories for my next feast!