Harden's says
Located inside Birmingham Open Media, with a handful of seats and moss growing everywhere, this modern British joint is headed up by Alex Claridge (who previously ran Nomad pop-up in London). Their website information states that they focus on "native ingredients, memory & place" - we know it goes in for local and foraged food, and runs a fixed-price, tasting menu formula.
Harden's survey result
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’.
Summary
“Brilliant tasting menus of creative fusion food” win consistent acclaim for chef-owner Alex Claridge at his high-impact Jewellery Quarter venue. “Love the flavours, the drinks pairings (including non-alcohol cocktails), the dark mirrored environment and the rock music (old favourites played not intrusively loud)”.
Summary
With its black-painted walls and punchy sound track, Alex Claridge’s decidedly rock ‘n’ roll Jewellery Quarter four-year-old has courted attention over the years with ants on the menu (and this year a social media campaign involving fake guns). There’s serious intent in the open kitchen here, though – “something quite unique happens, with a tasting menu that blows you away” and “beautifully crafted” drinks to go with it; “more restaurants should aim for an ’80s soundtrack too!”
Summary
With its black-painted walls and punchy sound track, Alex Claridge’s decidedly rock ‘n’ roll Jewellery Quarter three-year-old has courted attention over the years with ants on the menu (and this year a social media campaign involving fake guns). There’s serious intent in the open kitchen here, though – “something quite unique happens, with a tasting menu that blows you away” and “beautifully crafted” drinks to go with it; “more restaurants should aim for an ’80s soundtrack too!”
For 32 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?
Restaurant details
The Wilderness Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Approached by walking down an alley in Birmingham’s old Jewellery Quarter - the atmosphere starts there. Inside, moody but atmospheric black decor and a soundtrack of 70s music. An open kitchen with a good view of the meticulous chefs adjusting the plates to render them pretty as a picture. For lunch and dinner a choice of 3 Tasting menus plus a special course of superbly cooked, utterly delicious wagyu with truffled yolk (should not be missed - well worth the extra cost if only for the happy memory of the dish once the pleasure of eating it was ended). Very fine dishes including an appetiser of shrimp doughnut bursting with flavour, precisely cooked cod with XO sauce, a pretty and delicious carrot dish (‘The Carrot 2022), gorgeous lamb and fine venison made special by an accompanying delightful little faggot. the not-really-a-banana white chocolate banana and a lovely honey ice cream dessert with hints of lavender. Interesting drinks and wines on offer and relaxed but spot on service."
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lunch | £50.00 | £100.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 70.00 | Dinner only | 6 |
| Menu2 | 130.00 | Dinner only | 12 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £40.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £3.00 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 10.00% |
27 Warstone Lane, Birmingham, B18 6JQ
Opening hours
| Monday | CLOSED |
| Tuesday | CLOSED |
| Wednesday | 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Thursday | 6 pm‑8 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Saturday | 12 pm‑2 pm, 6 pm‑9 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
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