There's something about nostalgia that draws us to places. The sense of familiarity brings feelings of warmth, fond memories, and an overall sense of happiness.
I never thought I loved the simplicity of grilled vegetables and meats so much until I started missing it. Mr. Brown in Wan Chai, which focuses on all things grilled, instantly brought back memories of Boston in a lot of ways.
Mr. Brown is the second venture from the folks behind the very popular Mediterranean restaurant Francis in the Star Street district of Wan Chai. Mr. Brown has a HUGE grill and focuses on smoked and grilled meats along with other delectable goods from the grill.
We have visited Mr. Brown probably five to six times, and honestly, everything is good. The menu is not very big, which makes ordering a lot less complicated, actually.
For both of us, the must-try signature dish is the Iberico pork muffin, which is fantastic. You may want to order two, since each order only comes with one (and you may not want to share!).
The combination of the flavorful, juicy pork and creamy aioli mustard balanced out by the tart cabbage (like sauerkraut) and perfectly tasted English muffin is fantastic. If you only try one thing, definitely try this one.
I personally really enjoy the smoked sweet potato "fries", which come with a smoky creamy chili dipping sauce.
This roasted kohrabi dish with hazelnut, pecorino, and chili reminds me of some of the winter dishes we used to eat in Boston. I am a sucker for roasted winter root vegetables, and I love the addition of crunchy hazelnuts and cheese. So good!
The portion size not big, but the smoked brisket is tender, flavorful, and all around really good!
The menu stays pretty much the same but there are always a few fun specials to try. For example, one time we tried a grilled hamachi fish head (including the jaw), which was excellent.
I recommend the smoked apple cigars, which taste like a tasty apple pie but with a more delicate "crust" (basically, a spring roll).
General Thoughts - Mr. Brown Wan Chai
Mr. Brown Wan Chai has become one of our go-to places for a casual but tasty meal that is close by. In general we have found that if we show up before 7PM we can usually get a seat without any problems. We always order the Iberico pork muffins and the kohrabi. We'll rotate between the different grilled meats depending on if there are any interesting specials.
In short, we're thrilled to have this simple, casual place nearby that allows us to enjoy our grilled meat/vegetable fix when we miss the U.S.
Highly recommended!
Mr. Brown Wan Chai
G/F, 9 Ship St
Wan Chai, Hong Kong
