American brasserie

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A casual American restaurant that serves hearty food and drinks in a style similar to a French brasserie.

   Grammar: Countable: you can say 'an American brasserie' or 'two American brasseries'.

   Patterns

   • go to an American brasserie
   • eat at an American brasserie

   They opened a new American brasserie downtown, with burgers, oysters, and craft beer.

   We had dinner at an American brasserie that stays open late.

   The American brasserie serves classic dishes like steak frites and clam chowder.

2. 2nouncountable

   A restaurant in the US that imitates the lively, informal atmosphere of a Parisian brasserie.

   Grammar: Countable; often used with 'a' or 'the'.

   Patterns

   • a bustling American brasserie
   • the American brasserie on the corner

   The American brasserie on the corner has a long bar and mirrored walls.

   It feels like a Parisian brasserie but the menu is pure American.

Word forms

Common combinations

a casual American brasserie

We met at a casual American brasserie near the park.

a bustling American brasserie

The bustling American brasserie was packed on Friday night.

an American brasserie menu

The American brasserie menu features oysters and steak.

open an American brasserie

They plan to open an American brasserie in the old bank building.

Synonyms and how they differ

bistro

A bistro is a small, simple restaurant, often French; an American brasserie is usually larger and busier.

diner

A diner is a casual American restaurant with counter service; an American brasserie is more upscale and may serve alcohol.

Commonly confused: American brasserie or brasserie?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “American brasserie”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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