Harden's survey result
Summary
“Excruciatingly atmospheric” is – we think! – meant as a massive compliment to Alex Claridge’s “Goth-black” restaurant with “at times pounding music” in “the heart of Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter”, where “he finds new and ever more interesting ways to bring old diners back again and again, as well as to intrigue and excite new visitors who have not previously made their way down the passageway between jewellery shops on Warstone Lane”. ‘Come as you are. Stay weird.’ is the motto and – love it or hate it – “everyone will have to admit that some remarkable food comes out from behind the pass of the very open kitchen and that’s even before they meet the larger-than-life sommelier and GM, the unique Sonal Clare who knows a thing or two about wine”. To give you a flavour, in autumn 2025, you can choose the more limited ‘Control’ menu at £65 per person, ‘Submission’ at £140 per person or the time-limited ‘Requiem’ menu, which includes puddings such as ‘Oh B*ll*cks’ (being a mix of Hojicha, Plum and Honey) all promising ‘Minimalist cooking, maximum flavour’. Top Menu Tip – “Two of the best fish courses of the year: stunning steamed Pollack and razor clam, only superseded by a blockbuster Red Mullet fillet, perfectly charred over hot coals and served with a rich smoked eel veloute”.
Summary
“Different but brilliant!” – “The Wilderness remains the most exciting restaurant in Birmingham” according to a fan of Alex Claridge’s “extraordinary former factory in the Jewellery Quarter” (although this was said before Alex opened his ‘Albatross Death Cult’ – see also). “The atmosphere may not be to everyone’s taste, to put it mildly, with its ‘lively’ background music, black decor and amazing energy coming out of its open kitchen. But this is a real dining experience of successful, sometimes quirky dishes, served in an exciting venue by the remarkable head chef Marius Gedminas and chef-patron Alex Claridge, who continue to create dishes that are original, excitingly presented, accurately cooked and delicious”. Top Tip – “the drinks pairing is a welcome change to the usual, with lots of different things to try”.
Summary
“Unmissable!”. “Chef-patron Alex Claridge with head chef Marius Gedminas are at the cutting edge of modern British cuisine” at this Jewellery Quarter venue, which is “very much of 2023” with its moodily decorated black-painted brick walls, dark wood, dark leather and open kitchen. “It produces superbly original, highly inventive, exciting and ultimately delicious tasting menus with a passion which one could only wish that all British chefs brought with them, with some exceptional items that could only be described as works of art”.
Summary
“Edgy cuisine and environment, backed by friendly service and a rock ’n’ roll playlist” (played loud!) is the distinctive formula of Alex Claridge’s ‘full-on’ Jewellery Quarter venture, with black walls and black-leather furniture, and an open kitchen on display. As with some previous years, it doesn’t generate a huge volume of feedback in our annual diners’ poll, but fans say it’s “outstanding”. There are two tasting menus offered, a £70 version and more extensive and longer £130 option. Typical dish? – ‘Childhood Reflections in the Shape of a Banana’.
For 34 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at The Wilderness?
27 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, B18 6JQ
Restaurant details
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £60.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £7.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £11.00 |
| Service | 14.00% |
27 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, B18 6JQ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑4 pm, 6 pm‑8:30 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
