Old Building, New Design
Brant House is a downtown warehouse gourmet lounge: giant wood beams, exposed brick and Asian-French fusion cuisine. Chic modern design with an upscale urban twist, Brant’s design is all about texture. Rich chocolate leather plays against rough raw brick, wood glows in seductively lit corners. The coy pairing of modern and rustic plays throughout the massive space, divided into smaller intimate areas for dining or cocktails. The DJ’s retro cool beats complete the atmosphere. The cocktail lounge set should be aware that Brant both charges a cover charge and enforces a dress code, but the party does go late, even mid-week. Dinner is served at long communal tables or in exclusive VIP booths available through bottle service reservations.

Cosmopolitan Flavours
The menu has a strong touch of Asian flavour on a contemporary international menu. Miami ribs marinated in Hoisin are accompanied by a Japanese citrus ponzu sauce; grilled lamb chops are glazed with lemongrass and mint; rare tuna, flavoured with citrus and sesame comes in a dashi broth. For those with a taste for more traditional flavour pairings, there’s the straightforward grilled striploin that comes with oyster mushrooms, pont neuf and herb butter. And for those with ceaseless appetites, the seafood platter overflows with lobster tail, mussels, jumbo shrimp, scallops and calamari in a rich white wine tomato sauce; and the meat platter boasts sausage, Miami ribs, steak, pork skewers, potatoes and greens.

The Life of the Party
The tasting menu offers couples or groups a sampling of a range of fare and Wednesdays include a three-course prix fixe menu for more modest mid-week dining. Two additional menus are open to groups of 12 or more (one prix fixe and one tasting menu), part of Brant’s appeal to big group functions, which it can amply host. The restaurant has a steady events business that includes corporate functions, big parties and more intimate affairs in a range of spaces. Beside the main dining area, a private room and a terrace accommodate a range of revelers.